Maya Borgenicht is a summer intern at the Alliance and an urban studies major at Vassar College. We asked her for an academic perspective on Governors Island.
I first became interested in Governors Island as a student in a class taught by GIPEC board member and waterfront advocate Ann Buttenwieser at Columbia's School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. My final research project was a report on this very special island that I didn't even know existed until we took the ferry last fall to begin our research. We explored the many issues raised by its history, the climate under which it exists today and its possible futures. We grappled with how to maintain the Island's mission as a public space while making it financially self-sufficient.
I first became interested in Governors Island as a student in a class taught by GIPEC board member and waterfront advocate Ann Buttenwieser at Columbia's School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. My final research project was a report on this very special island that I didn't even know existed until we took the ferry last fall to begin our research. We explored the many issues raised by its history, the climate under which it exists today and its possible futures. We grappled with how to maintain the Island's mission as a public space while making it financially self-sufficient.
Ultimately we proposed the Island's deed be changed to allow residential programs. While our solution may not be a viable option, it was important to come up with a concrete proposal to understand all the issues involved in the Island's future.
Doing a comprehensive research project on the Island gave me a better understanding of the complexity of a large-scale urban project. Moving from an academic investigation, I am now actually helping to develop the Island's future as a wonderful new public space for the City of New York.
Within my college major I focus on architecture and sociology, combining an exploration of the built environment with the interaction of its inhabitants. Public space plays a vital role in the city by providing a forum for recreation and relaxation as well as active civic life. I'm excited to be spending this summer with the Alliance helping to create such a wonderful public space for the city of New York.
Doing a comprehensive research project on the Island gave me a better understanding of the complexity of a large-scale urban project. Moving from an academic investigation, I am now actually helping to develop the Island's future as a wonderful new public space for the City of New York.
Within my college major I focus on architecture and sociology, combining an exploration of the built environment with the interaction of its inhabitants. Public space plays a vital role in the city by providing a forum for recreation and relaxation as well as active civic life. I'm excited to be spending this summer with the Alliance helping to create such a wonderful public space for the city of New York.