Last semester, M.R.P. and URS students Imani Jasper, Akanksha Chauhan, Jabari Jordan-Walker, and Rachel Liu presented their conceptual design for a public access path in the Oak Point waterfront to the Bronx Community Board 2 (CB2). “It’s all about increasing waterfront access in the South Bronx,” Jasper explained to Steve Smith, owner of the Oak Point public access.
The conceptual design was well received by members of the CB2 board of members and the community. “We’ve been denied access to our waterfront for decades and they’re helping us try to get that back,” said Ralph Acevedo, District Manager of CB2.
Advised by Executive Director of AAP NYC Bob Balder, the group followed design guidelines framed by the Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG). Following this guide ensured the development of the conceptual design incorporated strong elements of resiliency, ecological health, and community priorities.
The Oak Point waterfront was one of four projects M.R.P., U.R.S., and Landscape Architecture students were presented in taking on in their semester at the AAP NYC studio. The NYC semester is an optional opportunity for planning and landscape architecture students to explore planning and design issues in the New York City context. Last semester was the first time that U.R.S. students were allowed to opt into the NYC semester option.
This blog was adapted from two stories published on the Waterfront Alliance website. Both articles can be found below.
Students Apply WEDG Principles to a Real Life Project
Bronx Community Board 2 Loves a Proposed Waterfront Path