#whOWNSpace #GRNPNT Video + Outcomes

Video of the process of organizing and holding the #whOWNSpace #GRNPNT studio/class.

The class was a way to observe, diagram, and propose new uses and a network of open spaces in a large section of Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

The class was divided in three sections:

OBSERVE people were asked to take a 1.5 hour walking tour and were asked to observe one of these elements, focusing on the democratic vitality of the open spaces:
1.Access 2.GatheringSpace 3.Boundaries 4.UrbanFurniture 5.Lighting 6.Barriers 7.Signage 8.Personnel 9.Demographics 10.Uses

DIAGRAM
The elements observed in the step above were diagrammed using 11"x17" maps and a 2'x4' model that #whOWNSpace provided.

INTERVENE
The result of the studio was to form a group of designers, journalists, politicians, and other citizens that will continue to advocate and develop a BLACKBELT network of public spaces for community engagement, organizing, and action. We will do this through direct action campaigns, policy changes, and design solutions.

Join Us in this effort - we will need you as we plan and execute BLACKBELT actions (add #GRNPNT to your name)

#whOWNSpace #GRNPNT

#whOWNSpace GREENPOINT: Observe, Diagram, Intervene

#whOWNSpace #GRNPNT: Observe, Diagram, Intervene

Date: January 29, 2012 at 1:00pm
Meet up: 155 Freeman St, Brooklyn
Facilitators: DSGN AGNC, DoTank:Brooklyn, BRUNO, 596 acres
Twitter: #whOWNSpace, #GRNPNT
RSVP
 
Following up on our past studio/class, this Public School NYC studio/class will use design and urban theory to critically study the design, ownership, and rules of Greenpoint's open spaces and infrastructure as part of the #whOWNSpace project. The lens for the studio will be on neighborhood power dynamics around space, focusing on the potential of open space to create democratic vitality.  We want to look at and propose a 'Black Belt' of open spaces that can be used for community organizing and activism.

Read this review by Urban Omnibus on the previous TPSNYC and #whOWNSpace class:
http://urbanomnibus.net/2011/11/whownspace/

UPDATE 1.29.12:
The DSGN AGNC crew built this diagrammatic model of Greenpoint for today's class:

 The participants in the class will be using it to study Greenpoint's open spaces and propose a 'BLACKBELT' of open spaces used for community engagement, organizing, and action. See you there.

Strategies for Public Occupation: On The Question of #whOWNSpace

#whOWNSpace is joining the Storefront for Art and Architecture for two Strategies for Public Occupation events.

Saturday December 17th, at 12:00PM (PRESENTATION)
On The Question of #whOWNSpace 
The different groups that make up the #whOWNSpace are presenting the work we have done to reveal, question, and advocate for public space. Each group will also present some of their own work and how it contributes to the collective.

#whOWNSpace projects to be presented:
MAPPING NYC PUBLIC SPACE | OBSERVE.DIAGRAM.INTERVENE WORKSHOP | BK BAZAAR SKILL SHARING NETWORK, #occupyDOB
Collaborators presenting:
DSGN AGNC - Quilian Riano, Rena Mande, Dan Latorre, Amanda Rekemeyer, Phil Grimaldi
DoTank:Brooklyn - Aurash Kwawarzad
BRUNO - Isabella Bruno
596 Acres - Paula Z. Segal
 
Monday December 19th, at 4:00PM (WORKSHOP) 
#whOWNSpace: Observe, Diagram, Intervene #STRFRNT

William Whyte on urban space and the enforcement of undemocratic rules: “a stiff, clarifying test is in order.”

This Storefront for Art and Architecture workshop will use design and urban theory to critically study the design, ownership, and rules of New York City's open spaces as part of the #whOWNSpace project. The lens for the workshop will be on power dynamics around public space, focusing on the potential of open space to create democratic vitality. We are meeting at the Storefront for Art and Architecture and then going to the POPS at the Trump SOHO Hotel and Petrosino Sq.

With:
DSGN AGNC - Rena Mande, Amanda Rekemeyer, Phil Grimaldi, organized by Quilian Riano

#whOWNSpace: Observe, Diagram, Intervene

ANNOUNCING:

#whOWNSpace: Observe, Diagram, Intervene

#UES | #midtown | #FiDi

November 19th, at Noon in the three locations indicated above. 

(RSVP to attend these classes) 

William Whyte on urban space and the enforcement of undemocratic rules: “a stiff, clarifying test is in order.”

This Public School NYC studio/class will use design and urban theory to critically study the design, ownership, and rules of New York City's open spaces as part of the #whOWNSpace project. It will occur at three sites simultaneously in order to focus on the varying centers of control in Manhattan--both public and private. The lens for the studio will be on power dynamics around public space, focusing on the potential of open space to create democratic vitality. 

The Financial District (#FiDi) group will focus on the area near the Goldman Sachs headquarters. 

Meet up: Hudson River Greenway and Warren St

Facilitators: Rena Mande and Amanda Rekemeyer
Twitter: #whOWNSpace #FiDi

The Midtown (#midtown) group will focus on Bryant Park and the privately-owned public spaces (POPS) around the Bank of America headquarters.

Meet up: 42nd St and 6th ave

Facilitators: Quilian Riano, Phil Grimaldi, and Melissa Frost
Twitter: #whOWNSpace #midtown

The Upper East Side (#UES) group will focus on the civic center of power that dictates many of the rules and designs of New York’s public space: NYC’s Department of Parks and Recreation. 

Meet up: 64th St and 5th ave

Facilitators: Aurash Khawarzad and Daniel Latorre
Twitter: #whOWNSpace #ues

At 3PM All groups meet up at the POPS inside the Bank of America headquarters for the official launch of a #whOWNSpace crowd-sourcing map of Privately-Owned Public Spaces (POPS) and POPS, publicly-owned open spaces (POOS).

This collaborative studio/class has been organized and will be led by DSGN AGNC, DoTank:Brooklyn, and Not An Alternative in collaboration with The Public School NYC

#whOWNSpace