Gowanus Urban Design Community Advocacy

Gowanus Urban Design Community Advocacy, operating as Gowanus by Design, is a nonprofit organization focused on urban design advocacy in the Gowanus area of Brooklyn, New York. The organization was co-founded by David Briggs, Principal of Loci Architecture and a neighbor of the Gowanus area.

Purpose and Activities

Gowanus by Design reacts to community concerns regarding city planning processes around the Gowanus Canal. The organization's primary goal is to advocate for community-based urban planning through design competitions and by proposing solutions for the Gowanus area. It incorporates the perspectives of various stakeholders to develop future visions for the neighborhood. The organization aims to apply the same analytical and research tools used in professional urban planning work to benefit the local community.

Background

The idea behind Gowanus by Design originated from the Van Alen Institute's 2001 exhibition, "Public by Design," which highlighted the transition of post-industrial waterfronts into spaces for recreation and tourism. This transition involves a necessary collaboration between government, private entities, and neighboring communities.

Goals and Principles

Gowanus by Design works to integrate new developments into the Gowanus landscape while emphasizing principles of sustainability, dynamism, diversity, and inclusion. The organization seeks to create a model for urban communities undergoing similar transitions by balancing growth with environmental remediation.

As the Gowanus area undergoes significant changes, including the cleanup of the heavily contaminated Gowanus Canal (an EPA Superfund site), Gowanus by Design plays a crucial role in shaping the community's future and ensuring that development aligns with local needs and aspirations.