Earth Day Symposium at the Center for Architecture

Over 150 designers, researchers, architects, activists, and city officials came together to envision a new era of sustainable parks and landscapes at “Park Design for the 21st Century,” an Earth Day symposium hosted by the Design Trust for Public Space and the NYC Dept. of Parks and Recreation.

The symposium took place at the Center for Architecture from 12:30 to 5:00 pm and was free and open to the public. Opening remarks were followed by two panel presentations in which panelists discussed design innovations, technical considerations, policy trends, and implementation barriers to creating sustainable parks and landscapes in urban settings. (See the day's program, below). Each presentation was followed by open discussion and a question and answer period.

We will post a slideshow of images from the event along with PDF files of the presentations shortly - please check back soon!

Here's an article about the symposium (including a brief synopsis of a selection of the panel presentations) in e-Oculus.

PROGRAM
PARK DESIGN FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
An Earth Day Symposium Sponsored by the Design Trust for Public Space
In Collaboration with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
April 22, 2008
Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, NYC

12:30-1:15: Opening Remarks

Deborah Marton, Executive Director, Design Trust for Public Space
Hillary Brown, Principal, New Civic Works
Laurie Kerr, Senior Policy Advisor, Mayor’s Office of Long-term Planning and Sustainability
Charles McKinney, Chief of Design, NYC Dept. of Parks and Rec.

1:15-2:15: PANEL 1 – The Big Idea: Sites in Context
PANELISTS

Denise Hoffman-Brandt, Professor of Landscape Arch., CUNY, School of Arch., Urban Design and Landscape Arch.
“Engaging Cities as Carbon Reservoirs”

Alex Felson, Director of Ecological Design, EDAW
“Bridging Ecological Research and Urban Design”

Joan Krevlin, Partner, BKSK Architects
“Integrating Building and Landscape: The Queens Botanical Garden”

Tim White, Project Manager, eDesign Dynamics
“Sustainable Stormwater Management”

2:15-2:45: Panel 1 Discussion / Q&A

MODERATOR:

Rob Craudereuff, Sustainable Alternatives Coordinator, Sustainable South Bronx

2:45-3:00: BREAK

3:00-4:00: PANEL 2 -- Examples from the Field

PANELISTS

Susannah Drake, Principal, dLandstudio
“Sponge Parks: Neighborhood-Scale Planning”

Signe Nielsen, Principal, Mathews Nielsen
“City-Scale Implementation: Barriers and Opportunities”

Marcha Johnson, Landscape Architect, Department of Parks and Recreation
“Case Studies for Implementation”

Margie Ruddick, Principal, WRT Design
“Queens Plaza: Interagency Collaboration and Sustainable Design”

4:00-4:30: Panel 2 Discussion / Q&A

MODERATOR:

Steve Caputo, Fellow, Design Trust for Public Space

4:30-5:00: Closing Remarks