GRADUAL SOCIAL SCAPE
[ GSAPP | Core Studio I ]
LOCATION
Harlem, New York City
YEAR Fall 2020
ADVISOR(S) Lindy Roy
Individual
Keywords | Social fracture, accessibility, safety, sense of belonging
YEAR Fall 2020
ADVISOR(S) Lindy Roy
Individual
Keywords | Social fracture, accessibility, safety, sense of belonging
In light of the continual fight for social justice, it is fundamental to approach public spaces with lenses of inclusivity and community resilience. Manhattan’s Morningside Park plays a critical role in revealing tensions between two very distinct communities: the predominantly white and well-off community of Columbia University on the west side of the park, and the economically-challenged African American and Hispanic communities on the east of the park.
Gradual Social Scape provocatively reshapes Morningside Park to make it a safe, welcoming, and unifying public space. The proposal blurs the boundary between Morningside Height and Harlem, enhances the park’s accessibility, and introduces diverse programs fostering meaningful interactions. Gradual Social Scape responds to inquiries about healing the visible divide between two adjacent neighbourhoods, notably: how can the topography be optimized to bring people together? And how can visual and physical connections be prioritized to facilitate social interactions?