In the pink in Downtown Brooklyn

Downtown Brooklyn, the 100 hectare central business district stretching from Columbus Park to the Barclay’s Centre in New York City, is being upgraded by architecture firms Bjarke Ingels Group and WXY, in conjunction with landscape firm MNLA.

BIG promises they will create, “a place where residents, workers and visitors can enjoy gathering outdoors, practice sports and play, celebrate the diverse culture of Downtown Brooklyn.”

Construction is set to begn next year. Image credit - BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group.

Since 2004, Downtown Brooklyn has grown enormously, with a 30 percent population increase and 26 percent growth in jobs, while also remaining one of New York’s busiest retail districts.

The not-for-profit Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, a champion for maintaining the district’s status as a world-class cultural, educational, business, residential and retail destination, commissioned the Downtown Brooklyn Public Realm Action Plan, working from their study of the districts entire public realm. Since 2019, BIG and WXY Architects have co-led the Action Plan Project.

The colourful, playful nature of the design references Brooklyn’s history of graffiti and street art. Image credit - BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group.

Inspired by the Dutch approach to greenery and sustainability, and the fully pedestrianised streets in European cities, their masterplan aims to improve the pedestrian experience by expanding sidewalks, improving park space and crosswalks, adding bold colour and raising walkways.

Some alleyways and low-traffic streets will be completely transformed into either shared or fully pedestrianised streets, filled with furniture, planting and murals. Sidewalk curbs will be reshaped and the ground treated to become like a colourful carpet.

The central business district stretches from Columbus Park to the Barclay’s Centre. Image credit - BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group.

Parking will be reduced as much as possible to allow more room for flowering planters and large tree canopies, providing shade and a more comfortable microclimate that reduces the heat island effect typical of most cities.

The colourful, playful nature of the design references Brooklyn’s history of graffiti and street art. Renders show an orange bus shelter with potted greenery on its roof, pink, blue and green sidewalks, and hammock installations in the neighbourhood’s parks.

BIG say that the plan, “draws upon the district’s existing conditions, systems, land uses and policies to create a bold design vision that is uniquely Brooklyn, provides a greener, safer pedestrian and bicycle experience, and unlocks projects, initiatives and pilots for a more vibrant public realm largely focused on the pedestrian experience.”

Construction on BIG and WXY’s vision is due to begin next year, painting, “the already lively character of the neighbourhood with a different colour palette offering Brooklynites a cohesive streetscape experience with improved walkability, increased pedestrian and cyclist safety, twice as much greenery and new art beacons.”

The design is inspired by the Dutch approach to greenery and sustainability. Image credit - BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group.