Today
Time Square, 2010Today, New York is the most populous city in the United States of America, and is among the largest metropolitan areas in the world. With a population surpassing 8 million, this vibrant city is brimming with numerous different cultures as well as centers of commerce, finance, art, fashion, technology, etc. Over the past few years, NYC is in the midst of a massive urban renewal that includes specific projects such as a new sports stadium in Manhattan, newly zoned merchant markets in the Bronx, and renewal of downtown Brooklyn, to name a few, that further show the benefits, both economical and physical, of changes in land use [iv]. The success of the city can be credited largely to the careful city planning throughout NYC's prestigious history. The grid layout initially commissioned in 1811 still largely defines the layout of the city thanks largely in part to brilliant planners who have abided to the vision of the original grid layout [iii]. The city pioneered one of the first comprehensive zoning plans and to this day still carefully zones the city for specific uses as needs arise. As a result, the zoning plan has constantly been updated in response to the exponential growth in population, new mass transit routs, introduction of government housing and development programs, and the increase in automobile usage [i]. For example, planners are always conscious of provide adequate housing for its ever expanding populace, as well as continual application of contextual zoning to better preserve the city's neighborhoods [ii]. The image below breaks down specific land use types as of 2010, although these numbers undoubtedly continue to be shifted from year to year.
For instance, one rapidly growing category, mixed use zoning is used in order to create more vibrant neighborhoods that incorporate most of the necessities of life into a walkable community. City planners today likely carefully considering ways to lower residential and commercial specific zones and integrating more mixed-use spaces. Especially with data showing that housing markets are shifting towards the central city, as high as fifty-five percent in 2007, mixed use spaces seem like a very valid solution [v]. With sustainability becoming more and more of a necessity, New York City planning Commissions are seeking to reshape the city to provide a green future for its residents. Outlined extensively in PlaNYC, more information can be found at our sustainability page. The planning commission has been tasked with paving the way for the future as well as preserving iconic landmarks as well as the character of the city, which offers a slew of dilemmas for the planning commission . However, thanks to a strong foundation that values the importance of city planning, NYC will continue to grow and evolve, and so will its land use regulations.
[i] About Zoning: Background. New York City Department of City Planning. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/zone/zonehis.shtml. Accessed on 7/29/13.
[ii] About Zoning: Zoning Today. New York City Department of City Planning. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/zone/zoning_today.shtml. Accessed on 7/29/13.[iii] Hoffman, Zeynep Turan (2013). The Greatest Grid: The Master Plan of Manhattan 1811-2011. Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians. 72(1), 102-103. DOI: 10.1525/jsah.2013.72.1.102.
[iv] Fainstein, Susan S (2005). The Return of Urban Renewal. Urban Planning now. Harvard Design Magazine. Issue 22. http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/images/content/5/4/540416/fac-pub-fainstein-Return-of-Urban-Renewal-final.pdf. Accessed on 7/29/13.
[v] Nelson, Arthur C. (2009). The New Urbanity: The Rise of a New America. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. 626: 192-208. DOI: 10.1177/0002716209344172.
Header image retrieved from http://www.hdwallpapersfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/New-York-City-Skyline15.jpg
[ii] About Zoning: Zoning Today. New York City Department of City Planning. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/zone/zoning_today.shtml. Accessed on 7/29/13.[iii] Hoffman, Zeynep Turan (2013). The Greatest Grid: The Master Plan of Manhattan 1811-2011. Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians. 72(1), 102-103. DOI: 10.1525/jsah.2013.72.1.102.
[iv] Fainstein, Susan S (2005). The Return of Urban Renewal. Urban Planning now. Harvard Design Magazine. Issue 22. http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/images/content/5/4/540416/fac-pub-fainstein-Return-of-Urban-Renewal-final.pdf. Accessed on 7/29/13.
[v] Nelson, Arthur C. (2009). The New Urbanity: The Rise of a New America. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. 626: 192-208. DOI: 10.1177/0002716209344172.
Header image retrieved from http://www.hdwallpapersfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/New-York-City-Skyline15.jpg