Housing and Neighborhoods
Map of the 5 boroughs of New YorkNew York is estimated to have a population increase of 1 million by 2030. With this huge increase the need for more housing is critical. Under PlaNYC sustainably and affordable housing is what will meet this growing demand. As New York expanded, in the early 20th century, the housing grew with the public transit system. Allowing residents to live on lower-cost land on the outskirts, and still maintain jobs in the concentrated center. However, disbursement continued and more citizens live outside the public transit system in automobile dependent areas.
In order to counter-act the dependency on single-rider automobiles PlaNYC is looking to create more housing in transit-oriented neighborhoods. Through the use of zoning, the city hopes to increase allowable densities in appropriate locations and decrease density in auto-dependent areas. This will shift the new development to areas where public transit can be more widely utilized.
New York City has a history of distinct neighborhoods, each with it’s own unique personality. The sustainability plan wants to not only preserve this aspect but also allow it to flourish. Mixed-used communities with employment, retail, services, and healthy food within walking distance are increasingly desirable. By having these amenities accessible the need for auto-transportation is greatly diminished as well as fostering a healthy sense of community.
In order to counter-act the dependency on single-rider automobiles PlaNYC is looking to create more housing in transit-oriented neighborhoods. Through the use of zoning, the city hopes to increase allowable densities in appropriate locations and decrease density in auto-dependent areas. This will shift the new development to areas where public transit can be more widely utilized.
New York City has a history of distinct neighborhoods, each with it’s own unique personality. The sustainability plan wants to not only preserve this aspect but also allow it to flourish. Mixed-used communities with employment, retail, services, and healthy food within walking distance are increasingly desirable. By having these amenities accessible the need for auto-transportation is greatly diminished as well as fostering a healthy sense of community.
An Architechtural rendering of Hunter's Point South
Hunter’s Point South is an example of a new development on an underutilized portion of land focused on sustainability and affordability. Located on an empty strip of waterfront of the Queens waterfront Hunter’s Point South will include 5,000 new units of housing and is estimated to help create over 4,600 jobs. [i] In addition to housing, this new development will include stores, restaurants, 11-acre parks, and a local school. The residents will be those with low and middle-income, and a about three fourths of the apartments will be permanently open to families meeting these criteria. With access to the soon to be launched East River Ferry pilot program the residents will have access to sustainable transportation to and from the city.
[i] “PlaNYC 2001 Housing”. New York City Government. http://nytelecom.vo.llnwd.net/o15/agencies/planyc2030/pdf/planyc_2011_housing.pdf. Accessed on July 14, 2013.