LANscapes

In a culture that attempts defiance of the realities that its people do not have constant meaning, recent regressive political paradigm shifts bring great concern for the emergent meanings that will be fashioned in the context of this new culture; what we will make things mean or signify moving forward.  Islamism or Africanism might substitute Orientalism, but its the upholding of such binary perspectives that masks a hybrid  nature of a colonial encounter and the postcolonial condition. According to Edward Said, “anyone who teaches, writes about, or researches the Orient is an Orientalist” (quoted in Sardar and Van Loon 1999, 109), and what they say or do is Orientalism. Orientalism is a cultural derivation of, primarily, the European and American search for self-identity. This search has led to a destructive and omniscient spread of colonial persuasion. Formulating a distinction between the “orient and the Occident ” results from the West’s changes in cultural constru...

I wish to be clear about my position on the proposed development at Pier 6 adjacent my home at 1 Brooklyn Bridge Park as t his 'piece' , along with mentions in curbed ny and other recent commentary written by the Gothamist , even Ms. Robbin's ramblings in the NY Times  - author of this weekends conversation-igniter - seems more contexomy than journalism. Mr. Colon, in fact, seems rather proud of his abilities to write editorial between "drunk tweets . . .  and . . . listening to arguments drift in through [his[ window".  I am NOT opposed to development at Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, nor am I the resident "Gladiator" out to lead the resistance of "dunderheads"  (the office reference is lost here) against an "incursion of housing" in our community. A Landscape Architect by profession, I am a designer and lover of Parks and Public Space as part of smart development and urban design. I am also NOT opposed to living within a cult...

Not two years ago Hurricane Sandy swept across the Northeastern United States and Canada bringing a sobering blow to our (in)humane ability to test natures resolve. A new park on Governors Island emerged from Sandy's wrath with a stunning outcome that confirmed its preparedness and long vision for a changing world; a testament to 'designing-in change'. Raising the height of the Island's Park did not come without much debate. The beneficial effects of such debate, however, were ultimately revealed; the visionary planning and design can manifest by the Park's resilience and current use.  Across the Buttermilk Channel stands Brooklyn Bridge Park; still emerging as a regional if not national success story in the world of parks and public spaces, but steeped in debate and writhing in controversy over it's recently misconstrued reputation as a " residential enclave for the wealthiest New Yorkers " . . . " going full-NIMBY and waging war over the scou...