Making it work

I've been delinquent on my posts; in part because I've been busy exploring, having fun, and even studying.  But mostly this post is delayed because I've been trying to organize my observations and thoughts on the many ways in which the health, safety and happiness of 1.6 million people living  on an island which is 60 sq km can be protected and promoted.  To give you some idea of the scope of the challenge, there are more people (26,891) per square kilometre in Manhattan  than live within the city of Whitehorse. 

Public health bylaws are part of the story.  Although on-line blogs complain about dog droppings and noise levels, New York is much cleaner and quieter than I remember it to have been.   "Curb your dog" (which means to both keep your dog under control and clean up after him/her) and "Don't Honk - $350 fine" signs go some ways towards reminding people that the streets of New York should be enjoyed by all, even if these bylaws are not actively enforced.  

Most recently New York, under the leadership of Mayor Bloomberg,  has upheld its history as a leader in progressive public health legislation.    Controversial or cutting edge, depending on your perspective, is the 2006 bylaw which banned the use of transfats in foods served in NYC restaurants.  And effective May 23th of this year smoking is banned in all public parks.

If Bloomberg continues his reign, I would not be surprised if he tackles the thorny issue of smoking in rental accommodation to reduce non-smokers exposure to the second hand smoke created by smokers in their building.   Given that most of the 1.6M Manhattanites live in multi-family dwellings, such a move could have a significant impact on public health. 

Of course, there are many other ways to protect and promote public health which are not regulatory.  Similar to Stanley Park's seawall, the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, a walking, running and cycling path that winds its way around the island, is a great example.   Most of the greenway is separated from motorists, and much of the path separates walkers, runners and cyclists.  Along some parts of the path, banners are hung to identify adjacent tennis courts, skateboard parks, and quiet spots for reading.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjCBseeRII4  

The City has also designated cycling lanes on many of its avenues.  The design, though not without controversy, divides one of the outer lanes in two.  The outermost section is for the cyclist - the concrete is tinted green; the adjacent section provides a good buffer from cars and trucks.  New parking spots have been created in the adjacent lane to support neighbourhood businesses.  While the design of the lanes is a peaceful compromise for motorists, cyclists, and businesses, the next battleground is between the competing interests of pedestrians and cyclists at the intersections.  It is ironic that cyclists are now doing to pedestrians what motorists once did to cyclists --- an example of the law of the (urban) jungle?

Another great example of promoting health is the city's 30-odd year old Green Thumb program to support community gardens.  It began in the 1970s in the East Village when "green guerillas" threw seed bombs onto city lots abandoned by their owners in an effort to beautify their neighbourhood.   Today the City is home to over 500 gardens, most of which are less than 1/6th of an acre in size. Pretty impressive when you consisder that this adds up to well over 80 acres of the most valuable real estate in the world.   The City supports neighborhood volunteers by providing gardening tools, seeds and plants, information and training.


                                           

You'll be pleased to know that rebellion continues to be alive and well, but relatively harmless, in NY.
 



With most city residents living in postage stamp apartments or condos, the importance of protecting public spaces cannot be over-emphasized; in fact,  this may be the urban issue of the 21st millenium. Union Square, once a seedy, dangerous part of the City now hosts a broad range of activities from street performing b-boys to green markets, chess tournaments and tango nights. It is a wonderful example of city living.  Jane Jacobs would be proud.