New York/Brooklyn Urban Waterfront Study

I spent a few happy hours this week exploring world class waterfront regeneration projects in the vicinity of Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges on the Hudson River. This posting illustrates 10 different projects and contains my reflections on what I saw. We can learn lots from these (how ferries are handled, how to activate public waterfront spaces, what works), because some of these piers and spaces have been the subject of development and redevelopment initiatives for 40 years. They've been there, done that. Useful to learn from mistakes and avoid repeating them..

This map shows the locations of the 10 different sites I visited and describe in this posting. You can see Brooklyn Bridge (centre) and Manhattan Bridge which connect Manhattan Island (top left) with Brooklyn (bottom right).

The next groups of pictures and descriptions are of Project Sites 1, 2 and 4.

Site One - Pier 15, South Street Seaport

Looking along the wharf/pier at Site 1 toward Brooklyn. It now has a second level built above the wharf deck for about half its area. There is a substantial garden on the wharf deck,, seating and pathways. The wharf is used for some tourist boat trips (the main ferry wharf is Site 3).

The top level has substantial grassed areas and moveable plastic coated lounger chairs.

The place was well used by kids and parents. This wharf is accessed by walking from Site 4 which is free of cars and vehicles. I was impressed by the lack of vehicles - apart from bikes - in this big city of New York. Disability access is by means of wheel chairs.

I was also struck by the absence of commercial or retail activities on this part of the waterfront development (apart from ferries and tourism boats). Pier 15 is of similar scale to Auckland's Queens Wharf.

There was a variety of seating types on the elevated level.

This is the seating arrangement on the wharf deck level at the end of the wharf. People waited here for tourist / sight seeing boats, but it was all public space.

The seats at the end of the elevated deck were most popular.

This is the view to Site 2 (Seaport Museum Pier 16) from the end of the elevated deck. You can also see Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge further away.

 This is a view from Pier 15 of Site 4, the coastal walkway which links the various wharves. Significant planted areas with shrubs and grasses are a softening feature, providing some shade, and privacy. Note the large format tables and benches in the foreground. These were used by large parties for lunches and to gather in groups.

I was there in the build up to lunchtime. Pier 15 was a favourite spot for lunch. Feet-up. Check the laptop. There are three grassed areas on the elevated level.

Site Two - Pier 16, South Street Seaport

Walking between Sites 1 and 2, between the two piers, takes you along the waterfront edge (Site 4). (As a matter of interest, the structure to the left is an elevated motorway... but it is supported on steel so appears to take up little space at ground level...)

When you walk onto Pier 16 what strikes you is the quality of the timber decking, and interesting heritage features like the red kiosk. The wall display explains what is going to happen over the fence (to Pier 17)....

This is to be an extension of the regeneration that has been started on Piers 15 and 16.

The images show how the piers were used historically.... and the text explains the intentions behind the redevelopment.

More interpretation...

...and more ... worth a read... Jane Jacobs even gets a look in here....

...here she is....

This is an explanation of the care that is going into the redesign experience for the new Seaport...

And here is what is planned for Pier 17, part of the South Street Seaport redevelopment. I am a bit nervous about anything has to be viewed at night - shades of the cloud on Queens Wharf at Auckland - but it does appear to include significant public amenity, and it is integrated with developments on Piers 15 and 16...

There are several classic boats moored on Pier 16 - and you pay per view... but lots of great seating options...

This part of the interpretation was interesting. It explained the development of a "Festival Hall" complex there about 30 years ago. Everyone was doing it then - copying Baltimore - and none of them were successful. (Might have been better if Auckland built one as was considered for Princes Wharf. But hey ho...)

This is being demolished to make way for the Pier 17 concept....

And here is how the architects conceive of it in the daytime...

Looking back down Pier 16 to Manhattan city (the proposed new development will be on the wharf/pier to the right of this picture.)

And here's me, just to prove I was there. Very interesting development. Very public.

Site Four - The Coastal Link

This is a view back to Pier 15 from Site 4 - the coastal walkway. It's lunchtime and these workers are taking a break sitting on these fixed seats at table width railing, to have their lunch.

The coastal walkway includes sections of steps down to the water. The visitor, using a hire bike, takes a photo. Remember - no cars on this walkway. Is that an Un-American activity?

Looking back toward Pier 15 from Site 4. You can see the second level, and the masts of the heritage boats moored on the other side.

This aerial shows the location and shape of Site 3. It is the pier developed for commuter and other ferry services. You can see the ticket office and covered walkway (NB: no cars parked anywhere, access is by strictly by walking or wheel chair), five ferry pods (receiving different types of ferry - some front-loading, others side-loading), and something different - like an extension - at the end..

Site Three - The Ferry Terminal Pier 11

 Here a pair of Yellow ferries dock at one of the pods. They were quickly in and out.

Mix of commuters and public on the deck of the ferry pier.

Ferry docks at pod near end of pier.

And there's an interesting add-on at pier end....

This interpretation plaque suggests it was the idea of an artist. A community island pond.

This guy had four fishing rods going.

In the centre you look down into the sea beneath the pier - I guess kids might lean in and fish. You can see it is surrounded by seating. And the circular shade worked very well at letting light through, baffling the wind, and providing shade.

Site Five - A Walk Across Brooklyn Bridge

A view of Sites 1, 2, 3 and 4 from Brooklyn Bridge.

Me on the bridge. The spike topped tower in the background (it is the tallest, doesn't look it because it's further away) is the newly opened World Trade Centre.

This is a very popular activity for cyclists and pedestrians.

A view of the Brooklyn waterfront projects on the other side...

Site Six - Water's edge Manhattan Bridge Base

 This was one of the more radical ideas. Taking up one of the grungy beaches, adding some rocks and old wharf beams created a popular space...

 There's formed benches, rock edges, beams, and carefully placed but random looking rocks...

Places to escape the office and lunch in isolation.

Walking between these Brooklyn waterfront projects, you are aware of commercial development close-by - but it is not IN or ON the waterfront, though owners/occupiers will be able to access the waterfront.

The "fence" between public and private is the site of a changing exhibition...

Here you see some of the old brick buildings being redeveloped, behind the temporary fence.

Site Seven - The start of Brooklyn Bridge Park

 This is a beautiful promenade and sitting area, with green space behind.

 Everyone wants their photo with either Manhattan or Brooklyn Bridge. (This is Manhattan...)

I liked the choice of outdoor furniture here. Simple. Functional. (Would kiwis chuck this stuff into the harbour?)

And look at that glasshouse artwork in the background. Perhaps it inspired the Queens Wharf idea - whatever - it is in the right place here - not out of place.

Site Eight - Further along Brooklyn Bridge Park

On the other side of Brooklyn Bridge now. There is a fantastic ice-cream cafe here. So there are places to get snack food, but they are few and far between and don't dominate. In keeping with the public/space/park emphasis.

And here is some of the interpretation of the British history, and battles that were fought...

...a little more of that story....

Site Nine - Central Brooklyn Bridge Park

The style of moveable furniture is maintained. Casually arranged. No pressure to buy to sit.

Significant developed garden edges and large green parkland. Very popular.

 Some of the edges developed with elevated seating, offering shelter from winds and more private seating spots.

 Groups pull together tables and chairs to suit their party and purpose. So much flexibility and opportunity for public and community play and activity.

I should note that along the way there were 3 or 4 playgrounds for young children. These are located in garden areas - where planting is kept thin enough for informal viewing from pedestrian walkways - and which are surrounded by child and dog proof fences!

 This is my only pic of the Statue of Liberty - a bit far away for people to take photos against....

...so they choose the city or a bridge as their backdrop...

My pictorial essay of Sites 8 and 9 doesn't do justice to the design of Brooklyn Bridge Park. Check out the Architectural Record article, and this creative reuse blog, and this design blog which contains other links and really gets into the heart of the design of the reuse of a piece of reclaimed waterfront that contains ideas relevant to Auckland's Wynyard Point. .

Site Ten - New Amenities along Brooklyn Bridge Park

This is an extraordinary initiative that appears to provide for active play of younger generation. I didn't have enough time to get into it. But I could see netball, basketball, skate-boarding, sitting, chatting....

You can see grassed areas and open water in this view. A new development that's getting known. Walkways to it are being developed. Again - no cars.

Another large pier/reclaimed area. In the foreground note the seating and sun shade structures.  In the background grassed areas.  And in between Brooklyn's heritage boat...

That is the end of this posting and descriptions of 10 waterfront projects. I talked to a couple of New York planners about them. They explained that the results you see - especially Sites 1, 2, 3, and 4 - are the result of 40 years planning. They explain that to begin with there was little local authority interest in these spaces. They were developed by the private sector. Many of these developments failed. For example the Festival Hall project which was also damaged by Hurricane Sandy. 

The lesson for Auckland hereis many-fold. But it includes that the opportunity to use waterfront assets for public purposes needs to be taken now, rather than fill in the gaps around private development, make mistakes, wait twenty years for them to be demolished, and then start again.....