On December 17, 2011, the New York Chapter of the AIA held a panel discussion about the Occupy Wall Street events that have spurred people from all over the country into political involvement. The discussion featured nine panelists with introductory remarks from Lance Jay Brown and Michael Kimmelman and closing remarks by Ron Shiffman (all listed below). It focused on aspects of the built environment, public spaces and how they reflect the way in which people assemble.
Follow us after the break for more about this discussion, including video.
The discussions were varied and from many different perspectives: design, history, law, psychology. Each aspect highlights the moments of the movement that bring into question the physical space of our cities and how they should be used, but also how we are permitted to use them. Panelist Alexander Cooper mentions that the success of a city, according to Jane Jacobs, is the health of its public spaces. He notes that the Occupy Movement in Zuccotti Park in New York City was a quintessential public space with tents for various social activities, health services, discussions, music and art.
