Elephants Roaming: [The High Line] Directly Meeting Needs

The High Line project is a result of the very Sustainability Skill of Social Engagement. Bringing together different insights, perspectives and knowledge, the project has brought into consideration the concerns of various disciplines and professions that are involved with the project. The case aims to meet the needs of all those concerned with the implementation, the construction and the final use.

The foremost initiation of the project started from two neighborhood residents, Joshua David and Robert Hammond advocating for the preservation of the infrastructure. They founded the Friends of the High Line. Their dedication became an important factor in the eventual success and acknowledgement of the project because it answers to the concerns of those that are directly involved with the shaping of the neighborhood.

Friends of the High Line is a non-profit, private partner to the New York City of Parks and Recreation that strives to transform a derelict infrastructure to a public park. Their launch for the open design competition for the revitalization of the city’s local image has influenced many groups and individuals to participate in the project on a very direct and personal level. Friends of the High Line also seeks to provide the budget for maintaining and preserving the park. Funding comes from the City’s capital budget which pays for project costs such as planning, design, construction and long-term leases. Other ways the project has sought contribution is through donation, fundraising events or membership.

The transformation of the High Line is an ongoing multi-step construction process. Preserving the original railroad tracks, site preparation, and landscape construction were all carried out by selected design and construction teams collaborating together. The materials chosen for this project were selected considerably based on their life-cycle costs. They are either sustainably harvested from managed forests or recycled from original on site materials. The sustainable operations following the construction by gardeners and maintenance crews are operated consistently. The team consists mainly of neighborhood volunteers and contributions of the public.

The construction process has had its difficulties such as severe weathers, inconvenience to the neighborhood, and restricted construction periods. Despite all these challenges, construction workers have been enjoying the project. Not only are they working in such a narrow space but also at an elevated level, the team has been enjoying this challenge, such as dressing up in brightly colored uniforms or painting their machinery to show off their significance in this project.

The High Line can also be seen as an investment built during the Depression to invigorate New York’s economy. When planned in the recession, Central Park has proven to create great value and stimulate growth for the city, and now the High Line can be thought as the Century Park of the 21^st century, a project that is expected reinvigorate the present city. The High Line has not only initiated many more planned projects around the neighborhood including retrofitting buildings and warehouses, or bringing in many new businesses such as dining and fashion, even the new Whitney Museum is advancing into the area. Such real estate investment will bring in many more opportunities for the community and the neighborhood.

The key components accessible through the many entrances to the park such as sundecks, water features, public art displays and plazas allows for the public to enjoy and relax. An amphitheatre of steps that mimics cinematic experience allows for “people-gazing” where the activity of pedestrian and traffic on street level can be observed through a framed glass window a compatible activity to the recreational need sought in an urban environment by the city-dwellers.

The vision of the High Line is to connect the community and the city. Normally, walking twenty blocks on street level might not be appreciated, but this can easily be done on the High Line as an enjoyable stroll or as an alternative to transportation. Friends of the High Line has also developed many educational programs, tours and events for the public to participate as a community engagement. Such encouragement provides many opportunities to disconnect with the city, but at the same time, connecting with the city its people, image, and environment.

References