W05 Lecture Reflection

Phil Crowther did a fantastic lecture on New York, looking at past-future considerations. The main example of this was High Line Park:

http://perspectives.charlesluck.com/wp-content/
uploads/2011/06/High-Line-before-After.jpg

The success of this project is world famous. Set within the low socio-cultural end of New York City, an abandoned railway with many negative implications was transformed into an icon and tourist destination in one of the most famous cities in the world.

As a relation to the current assignment, we have been looking at how certain facilities (i.e. Paddington Central Shopping Centre) provide life and reinvention for areas. What we have been trying to do is envision a future success for Paddington and how it's implementation can transform the area past its current expectations, into an influential and integral part of the community. 

Highline Park does this with many techniques. The natural and original interconnectivity of the railway provides a community connection that does not naturally exist within NYC. The pedestrian connectivity relies mainly on the start/stop hustle and bustle of city block walking or the underground up and down of subways. This broken connectivity becomes monotonous and unexceptional. The success of the Highline gives back to the pedestrian without impacting on the traditional. It merely takes advantage of the existing. 

The interesting counter to this renewal is the proposal of the Lowline Park:

http://thelowline.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/2-690x276.jpg

The consideration of the underside of the normally ugly and derelict is important to the success of the overall site. You don't want people driven to the Highline because there are unsightly spaces provided underneath. Interestingly enough, this concept was discussed last semester with "Troll Habitats":

http://archipelagoarchitects.com.au/images/work/Troll%20Habitat/TRL-001.jpg

Renewal of the forgotten spaces is just as important as the glamourous ones on display.