Emerging Social Hubs in Brooklyn: Building Back Better
A social hub is by nature community led. It is local, even hyper-local. It can ripple out from a single enterprise on a block, spread to others, and evolve organically
Brooklyn has become a very different city over the last 30 years and has taken on a role as a major global city with a unique quality quite different from its neighbor across the East River. Its unique and dynamic qualities lay the foundation for how communities can redefine public spaces.
A social hub is by nature community led. It is local, even hyper-local. It can ripple out from a single enterprise on a block, spread to others, and evolve organically
Creating the Heart of Brooklyn in Borough Hall and Cadman Plaza...three immediate, Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper, activation strategies to make it happen right away.
A building needs a base, At the street level, buildings with small shops that spill into the public space that has a plaza with a market or double-loaded sidewalk, buildings can come alive. What is outside becomes inside, and what is inside becomes outside.
Many people think that Brooklyn Borough Hall, Court House, and Cadman Plaza may be the most underperforming public spaces in New York City. They just took a step forward. The potential is enormous.
The entire promenade is very stark and not very inviting except for the extraordinary view. By initially just adding a few items to experiment with, the community could see what might be possible in the future
Montague Street has a tired, old, not cared for feeling. There are multiple empty storefronts, uncared for buildings, limited to no seating, few places to gather, weak entranceways, few outdoor cafes, limited restaurant experience. All this was greatly impacted by the pandemic.