Mayorʼs Office of Criminal Justice

Neighborhood Activation Study

Completed on December 20th 2017

Table of Contents
Introduction
Executive Summary 03
Design Principles 04

Approach
Find Opportunity in Places with Need 06
See, Listen, and Learn 12
Identify Points of Convergence 22
Start With What's There 25
Match What's There with What's Possible 32
Measure Impact 41
Neighborhood Activation Approach 43

Studio Gang
2
Executive Summary

As part of the Mayorʼs Action Plan for what kinds of projects should be undertaken associated with policing strategies but
Neighborhood Safety, in May 2017 the and how to make decisions about where extend to conditions of local employment,
Mayorʼs Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ), those investments should occur. Finally, youth engagement, access to education,
Police Department (NYPD), and Department the Study suggests policies, programs, and and economic activity, as well as the
of Design and Construction (DDC) engaged partnerships that may serve as vehicles quality of streets, open spaces, and public
architecture and urbanism practice Studio for the implementation and stewardship of buildings. Because the forces that
Gang to study how design can be a tool these projects. influence neighborhood safety are diverse,
to help reduce crime and build positive complex, and unevenly distributed across
relationships between police and the people Like many low-income neighborhoods in communities, the design response must
who reside in the neighborhoods where New York City, a large proportion of the built be equally diverse, meet complexity with
they serve. The result is a Neighborhood environment of Brownsville and Morrisania clarity, and seek equity in its distribution.
Activation Study that offers methods and is publicly owned and receives significant
specific urban design and architecture city investment from many offices, agencies,
recommendations for two New York and authorities. Additionally, these
neighborhoods. These recommendations neighborhoods are highly fragmented, and
touch police stations, parks, libraries, the pieces can be antagonistic to each other.
streets, and other parts of a neighborhoodʼs This Study illustrates how a coordinated
built environment. They are grounded in effort from public entities in partnership
months of research, site investigations, and with communities can connect and
discussions with people who live, work, visit, reestablish flow between the disparate
and care about these communities. parts to make it possible to rebuild
relationships and rejoin the pieces.
The Study identifies and illustrates design
and construction projects in Brownsville A critical insight gained from extensive
(Brooklyn) and Morrisania (the Bronx) that engagement with experts, agencies, and
could be incorporated into the Cityʼs capital residents, as well as a broad review of
improvement plans. These ideas and the related literature and studies, is that shifts
principles they are founded on are also in neighborhood safety and well-being
meant to be instructive for projects in other require coordinated changes in the built
neighborhoods. Toward that end, the Study environment, programming, policy,
shares its methodology for determining and practice. These include activities Studio Gang
3
Guiding Principles
Engage the real experts. Community Co-locate activities, community Reduce barriers to local commerce.
residents and stakeholders are the real organizations, and service providers. If Community stakeholders frequently
experts on their neighborhoods and should programmed and maintained, community raised the need for more local business
be engaged at every stage of design rooms and public spaces can bring different opportunities, especially street vending.
and development to ensure community groups of people together to generate social Well-managed street vending can be an
ownership and long-term success. cohesion and civic engagement. important path for local entrepreneurs,
while also bringing spaces to life. Less
Prioritize youth. In many high-crime Reduce territoriality. The safe movement red tape could result in more creative
neighborhoods, the combination of youth of young people is often limited to specific partnerships like Green Cart NYC, which
crew activity and police enforcement restrict developments. Moreover, control and expanded permits for pushcarts in low-
access for youth to outdoor public space. maintenance of public spaces are divided income neighborhoods, helped create jobs
Consider how youth are engaged in the by agency. Break down traditional and often for entrepreneurs, and increased access to
design process, given opportunities during invisible boundaries to create more neutral healthy foods where it’s needed most.
installation or construction, and welcomed spaces for young people and facilitate new
into public space. opportunities for unusual intermingling of Invest in dignity. Data shows that plazas,
programs and agencies. parks, and streetscape greenery build
Enable social connections. Places to gather, trust in police and among neighbors, foster
socialize, and access cultural resources Expand activity on public property. positive relationships, and improve social
reduce crime and inequality, promote Cultivate civic buildings and adjacent cohesion. Every community deserves spaces
stewardship and collaboration, and build property to host activities and services and that are clean, beautiful, and welcoming.
collective efficacy. engage new participants. Use these existing
assets to improve neighborhood safety and Provide equity in maintenance.
Address the complex roots of crime. Safety create neutral ground in the plazas and Clean, well-maintained spaces make a
is not just a law enforcement issue. Design sidewalks immediately surrounding them. difference in perceptions of safety and
strategies must address the complex roots trust in government. Many low-income
of crime: social, economic, environmental, Light the night. Dark empty streets, locked neighborhoods lack maintenance partners
and educational. Safe spaces are hubs for parks, and vacant lots make neighborhoods with the capacity to sponsor public space
opportunity that bring partners together to feel unsafe at night. This is exacerbated by programs or the staffing to keep spaces
address many issues at once. the many public spaces and programs that open for extended hours. Equitable
close by 6 pm. It is also correlated with the investment is needed for staffing and
Start with what’s there. Every majority of crime, which takes place between capacity building to ensure the success of
neighborhood has assets that strengthen and 6 pm and 1 am. Do more to brighten up neighborhood activation strategies.
support residents. Build off extant assets, neighborhoods with creative lighting and
existing plans, and future investments to provide safe evening activities.
maximize available resources.

Studio Gang
4
Where to focus?

Studio Gang
5
Find Opportunity in Places with Need
Overview
Where do we focus? To drive lasting positive change,
wisely invest precious resources, and accomplish
the greatest good, we must find opportunities where
public action can strengthen ongoing community
initiatives, agency efforts, and planned capital
expenditures. This Study suggests a two-tiered
approach that starts at the scale of the city to
identify neighborhoods facing acute hardship and
then focuses in on the scale of the neighborhood to
locate zones of a few blocks where targeted action
will reverberate out to the broader community.
This process of researching and mapping must be
inclusive and transparent, done in collaboration with
communities and agencies.

Neighborhood Selection Criteria No Longer Emptyʼs family arts event, Old Bronx Borough Courthouse (Photo: No Longer Empty)
Looking at the city as a whole, identify focus
neighborhoods with the greatest need. To develop
a more complete understanding of need, find the
overlap within the following two data sets.
• Mayor's Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety
• Hardship Index

Focus Area Selection Criteria

Once the neighborhoods with the greatest need have
been identified, locate the areas with the greatest
opportunity. Opportunity is defined here as the points
of convergence within the following seven data sets.
• Density of Youth
• Credible Community-Based Organizations
• Critical Mass of Civic Assets
• Underutilized Public Space
• Mix of Street Types Howard Houses Farm (Photo: Green City Force)
• Planned Capital Investment
• Economic Opportunity
Studio Gang
6
Where to focus? – Neighborhood Selection Criteria

Mayorʼs Action Plan for

Neighborhood Safety (MAP) 42
The first element of the neighborhood selection criteria is data
Butler
from the Mayorʼs Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety. This Polo Grounds
analysis overlaid NYPD crime data onto New York City Housing Castle Hill
Authority (NYCHA) campuses to display that, although crime is Paterson
St. Nicholas
down city-wide, it remains stubbornly high in many neighborhoods
with large amounts of public housing. Wagner

Using this data set, the Mayorʼs Office of Criminal Justice is

implementing an ongoing effort to reduce violent crime in fifteen
NYCHA developments. These locations experience almost 20 Queensbridge
percent of all violent crime in New York Cityʼs public housing. Two
neighborhoods with MAP sites were selected for the purposes of
this study: Morrisania, home to the 42nd Precinct, and Brownsville,
home to the 73rd Precinct.
Bushwick
Bushwick II
Ingersall Tompkins
Red Hook
Van Dyke
Brownsville Boulevard

73
Stapleton

Crimes per 1000 Residents by Precinct NYPD Precincts

1/1/2017 - 8/31/2017
Selected Precincts

8.8 81.5 Crimes per 1000NYPD

Residents by P
Precincts
NYPD Precincts 1/1/2017 - 8/31/2017
Selected Precin
Selected Precincts MAP Sites
8.8 8
MAP Sites

0 1 MI
0 1 MILE
Studio Gang
7
 Where to focus? – Neighborhood Selection Criteria

Hardship Index
The second element of the neighborhood selection criteria, the
42
Hardship Index, was developed by Studio Gang‘s data analytics
consultant, Will Synder, in collaboration with Presence Health.
The index evaluates economic hardship faced by a community
by analyzing six topics from the American Community Survey
to produce a single score that enables comparison between
geographies. The Hardship Index is highly correlated with other
measures of economic hardship, such as labor force statistics, and
with poor health outcomes.

The Hardship Index clarifies that crime rates do not always

correlate with issues of poverty, unemployment, inadequate
education, and social disorganization. Midtown West, for instance,
has a high crime rate, but a very low hardship score. Cross-
comparing this index with the previous crime map, it becomes
possible to prioritize action in neighborhoods such as
Brownsville and Morrisania because each scores high on
both metrics.

Attributes analyzed by the Hardship index

(see Technical Background for methodology)
• Crowded housing 73
• Poverty rate
• Unemployment
• Adults without high school equivalence
• Age dependency ratio
• Per capita income

NYPD Precincts

8.28.2 24.2 34.6 Selected Precinc

NYPD Precincts
Selected Precincts Hardship Score 8.2 24.2 34
MAP Sites

0 1 MI
0 1 MILE
Studio Gang
8
Where to focus? – Focus Area Selection Criteria

Mapping Opportunity

Density of Youth Community-Based Organizations Critical Mass of Civic Assets Underutilized Public Space
Number of residents <18 years old CBOs funded by Dept. of Youth & City services and community-based Publicly owned vacant land
Community Dvlpmt. or city agencies organizations

Mix of Street Types Planned Public Investment Economic Opportunity

Types of streets distinguished by Planned investments from all Index of economic indicators:
average daily traffic agencies transit, investment, and density of
office space Studio Gang
9
Where to focus? – Focus Area Selection

Selected Focus Areas Br

oa
dw
ay

With residents, specialists, and agencies, Studio Gang uncovered areas of density and
overlap between the focus site selection criteria and located focus area zones where
targeted action will reverberate throughout the neighborhood. Atlantic Ave.

Data Sources:

.
Ave
NYC DoITT 2017: Open space

ve.
NYC DCP 2017: Vacant land, er
bst

kA

.
Ave
precincts
We

Par

e.
3rd

Av
DDC, HPD, NYCHA 2017: Planned

na
oto
public investments

Cr
Hester Street 2017: CBOs, Assets
.
ore Ave
Cla Glenm
rem
ont
Pkw Ave.
y Rd. Pitkin
ton 73
Bos
.
nt Ave
Belmo
Crotona Park Eastern Pkwy
Ave.
Sutter
Houses
. Ave.
ve e Blake
kA Van Dyk
Yor sville
169 ew Brown .
EN s nt Ave
th S
t. House Dumo
s
House
Ave.
Livonia

167 Betsy
th S
t. Head

Mothe
Osbor
Rocka
165

r Gasto
th S

n St.
t.

way Av

n Blvd
e.
Open Space

.
Key NYCHA MAP Sites
Police Precincts
CBOs
Community Assets
42
Vacant Land
Capital Projects
Focus Area Boundary

0 0.063 0.125 0.25 Miles

Morrisania (42) Brownsville (73) Studio Gang

10
How to gain understanding?

Studio Gang
11
See, Listen, and Learn
Overview
For neighborhood activation to succeed, its proposals
must be grounded in agency initiatives and tool kits,
the aspirations of local community members, expert
opinion, relevant precedents, and the physical, social,
and political realities of each neighborhood. This sec-
tion outlines how to facilitate this process by illustrat-
ing Studio Gang‘s methodology for gathering informa-
tion during the study. Our six steps are outlined below.

Interview Agencies
Deep but often siloed knowledge of current initiatives,
planned capital investments, and policy exists among
agency employees. As a first step, interview agency
stakeholders to centralize their knowledge base.

Engage Communities Morrisania community workshop (Photo: Hester Street)

Community residents and stakeholders are the real
experts on their neighborhoods. Gaining their knowl-
edge of what works, what doesn‘t, what‘s underway,
and what needs support to get started is paramount.

Review Literature
Search out information and data points that portend
effective strategies for improving social cohesion and
economic opportunity.

Explore Precedents
Excellent strategies for leveraging public action with
community efforts to improve neighborhoods have
been pioneered in Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Boston.
Learn from these examples and search out others.

Investigate Sites Exhibit on the history of redlining (Photo: No Longer Empty)

Walk the sites, meet the actors, and experience the
programs to know how to reinforce what already works.
Studio Gang
12
How to gain understanding?

Interview Agencies
Overview
Learn about ongoing initiatives, how to leverage existing
tool kits, and uncover opportunities for collaboration
and coordination. Meet with agency leadership who are
defining strategic goals and local operators who work
on the ground in focus areas. Interview complementary
agencies together and communicate all findings to all
agencies in order to foster information sharing and
explore possibilities for collaboration.

Approaches
• Learn about existing initiatives.
• Research existing tool kits.
• Identify opportunities for coordination and
collaboration between agencies and with CBOs.

Studio Gang
13
How to gain understanding?

Engage Communities
Community residents and stakeholders are the
real experts on their neighborhoods and have the
most at stake. Engagement should happen at every
stage of the design process to ensure long-term
success and community ownership. Studio Gang and
Hester Street created a multi-phased community
engagement process that was community-driven,
iterative, and collaborative.

Approaches
• Partner with local groups
• Encourage collaboration
• Support community leadership
• Create resident-driven policies
• Involve youth
• Build on previous work
Site investigation, June 15, 2017 Project kick-off meeting, June 27, 2017
• Support ongoing work
• Make information accessible
• Create clear expectations
• Meet people where they are
• Conduct one-on-one interviews
• Meet with focus groups
• Attend informal events
• Map assets

Theater of War performance, July 15, 2017 Economic development meeting, July 24, 2017

Studio Gang
14
How to gain understanding?

Engage Specialists
Including different kinds of specialists on the project
team allows the work to incorporate cutting-edge
research, leverage new tools, and gain a broader
perspective on the opportunities and challenges of a
neighborhood. Work with specialists at every stage of
project development so that they can respond to the
conditions of sites, spark ideas, influence principles,
and critique design proposals.

Approach
• Engage early and often.
• Facilitate collaboration, not just consultation.
• Engage individually and as a collective.

Mindy Fullilove, MD, Hon AIA Stacey L. Barrenger, AM, PhD

Mental Health Specialist Criminal Justice Specialist

James Lima Will Snyder

Economics of Placemaking Specialist Data Analytics Specialist

Studio Gang
15
How to gain understanding?

Review Literature
Every place has a unique past and present. Review ACTIVE

ACTIVE DESIGN GUIDELINES

DESIGN
recent and historic planning developments and learn GUIDELINES
about an areaʼs cultural history. It is also important PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

AND HEALTH IN DESIGN

to survey literature on the relationship between the

built environment and crime prevention, mental and
physical health, and access to opportunity.

Approach Looking back on 2016, it is hard not to smile on all of the great work accomplished. Each
individual and organization within Claremont Healthy Village Initiative exhibited tremendous
growth and progress throughout the year. With the close of every year it is fun and important
to reflect on achievements and lessons learned, while maintaining an eye on future successes

Happy New Year to all, and a final 2016 Thank You for your hard work and dedication. Closing
out the year, just a few 2016 highlights (apologies for not being able to include it all):

• Review previous studies to learn from existing x Youth are the Future: Funded by the New
York Community Trust, led by Claremont
Neighborhood Center and Family Medicine,
CHVI embarked on the ambitious multi-
year goal of recruiting and training in
leadership 180 youth from the Claremont
community. 2016 resulted in successful

work and find points of convergence. recruiting of 45 youth, with 36 completing

training. Youth were then funneled into
paid internships established with CHVI
partners. In the second half of the year the youth focus hit new strides welcoming a
reinvigorated DFOY and new partner MS 219. In early 2017, a Youth Leadership
Subcommittee will carry on this great work continuing to provide opportunities for youth
to find their path to a successful life.

• Study the cultural history of the neighborhood x Community Activation: Claremont community leaders in 2016, as they do every year,
turned up for their constituents. Early in 2016 community leaders participated in the
Building Capacity Institute, a leadership training that took place over 16 weeks funded by
MEDICC and CPHE. Some of the skills learned in this training contributed to the expansion
of community events and partnership growth, including co-hosting a Stop the Violence
and Bringing in the Peace rally. PSA 7 police council, in partnership with Morris NYCHA
Tennant Association, held the annual National Night Out event. Webster NYCHA Tennant

and community to design from a more informed

Association was proud coordinators of their Girl Power, and sponsoring a championship
youth soccer team. Community Leaders also received funding from the New York City
Council to expand lunch programs, refurbish playgrounds and gyms, expand presence of
security cameras as well as bring many other great resources to the neighborhood.
Health First continued its community events with their massive Health Expo at the
Gouveneur Playground in early summer. A crowning achievement, led by Claremont
Neighborhood Center in partnership with NYC Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson, was the

perspective.
Claremont community hosting Mayor Bill de Blasio for his first Bronx Town Hall at the CNC
gymnasium.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH PROFILES 2015 COMMUNITY HEALTH PROFILES 2015

BROWNSVILLE, BROOKLYN,
Brooklyn Community District 16: Bronx Community District 3:
HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT:
BROWNSVILLE MORRISANIA Evaluating social entrepreneurship
(Including Broadway Junction,
Brownsville and Ocean Hill) AND CROTONA programs by recognizing and promoting
CLAREMONT HEALTHY (Including Claremont, Crotona Park East,
Melrose and Morrisania)
local context - 2015 St. Mary’s
Name Of Park
VILLAGE INITIATIVE
Community Needs
Project
Anchor Parks Program
Assessment Report Anchor Parks Program
near
Located at St.such
Ann’sand such between
Avenue Street, E.149th S
in the Borough
E.143rd Street, of
in ChooseOne.
the Borough of the Bronx

Conceptual
PDC Preliminary
Master
Review
Plan or Meeting Name
Prepared by Month Day,March
Submitted Year 17, 2017
Arafat Omidiran, MHA Candidate
YourReview
For Name, April
Parks24,
Capital
2017 Design or Consultant
Columbia University, Mailman school of Public health
July 2015 Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Pla
Rose Jackson, Ernestine Hodges, Sang Cho, Maxine Dotson, and Andrea McCullough pictured above at HIA workshop

Health is rooted in the circumstances of our daily lives and the environments Health is rooted in the circumstances of our daily lives and the environments
in which we are born, grow, play, work, love and age. Understanding how in which we are born, grow, play, work, love and age. Understanding how
community conditions affect our physical and mental health is the first community conditions affect our physical and mental health is the first
1
step toward building a healthier New York City. step toward building a healthier New York City.

HHS Public Access

Author manuscript
Int J Emerg Ment Health. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2016 February 01.
Published in final edited form as:
Int J Emerg Ment Health. 2013 ; 15(4): 217–228. One New York
Life Expectancy in Police Officers: A Comparison with the U.S.
General Population The Plan for a Strong Looking back on 2016, it is hard not to smile on all of the great work accomplished. Each
individual and organization within Claremont Healthy Village Initiative exhibited tremendous

CULTURE IS... ABOUT THE

John M. Violanti, PhD,
Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Health Professions,
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, in Buffalo, NY.
and Just City growth and progress throughout the year. With the close of every year it is fun and important
to reflect on achievements and lessons learned, while maintaining an eye on future successes

Happy New Year to all, and a final 2016 Thank You for your hard work and dedication. Closing

HISTORY. FOOD. ART. From August 2016

June 2017, New Yo
Tara A. Hartley, PhD, MPA, MPH,
Biostatistics and Epidemiology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West
out the year, just a few 2016 highlights (apologies for not being able to include it all):

PAINTING. THEATER.
x Youth are the Future: Funded by the New
from all walks of li Virginia.
York Community Trust, led by Claremont

Guiding
help shape the fut Ja K. Gu, MSPH,

QUILTS. MUSEUMS. arts and culture in Biostatistics and Epidemiology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Neighborhood Center and Family Medicine,
Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West CHVI embarked on the ambitious multi-
CreateNYC will inc Virginia. year goal of recruiting and training in
DOMINOES. FAIRS. intensive public in Desta Fekedulegn, PhD, leadership 180 youth from the Claremont

Principles
an in-depth evalua Biostatistics and Epidemiology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for community. 2016 resulted in successful

MUSIC. LIBRARIES. the city’s cultural a

comprehensive cul
Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West
Virginia.
recruiting of 45 youth, with 36 completing
training. Youth were then funneled into

POETRY. DANCE.
Michael E. Andrew, PhD, MA, and
CreateNYC is an ex paid internships established with CHVI
Biostatistics and Epidemiology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for
opportunity to cre Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West partners. In the second half of the year the youth focus hit new strides welcoming a

FASHION. PARADES. long term roadma

promoting greater
Virginia.

Cecil M. Burchfiel, PhD, MPH

reinvigorated DFOY and new partner MS 219. In early 2017, a Youth Leadership
Subcommittee will carry on this great work continuing to provide opportunities for youth

CELEBRATIONS. ZOOS.
access, diversity an Biostatistics and Epidemiology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for to find their path to a successful life.
vibrancy, and expa Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West
opportunities for A Virginia. x Community Activation: Claremont community leaders in 2016, as they do every year,

GARDENS. SCIENCE... New Yorkers to ac

participate in the c
Abstract
turned up for their constituents. Early in 2016 community leaders participated in the
Building Capacity Institute, a leadership training that took place over 16 weeks funded by

AND MORE!
Previous epidemiological research indicates that police officers have an elevated risk of death
cultural life. relative to the general population overall and for several specific causes. Despite the increased risk
MEDICC and CPHE. Some of the skills learned in this training contributed to the expansion
for mortality found in previous research, controversy still exists over the life expectancy of police of community events and partnership growth, including co-hosting a Stop the Violence
officers. The goal of the present study was to compare life expectancy of male police officers from and Bringing in the Peace rally. PSA 7 police council, in partnership with Morris NYCHA
CULTURE IS WHO WE ARE AND WHAT MAKES OUR CITY Buffalo New York with the U.S. general male population utilizing an abridged life table method.
Tennant Association, held the annual National Night Out event. Webster NYCHA Tennant

SHOW UP! SPEAK UP! STEP

On average, the life expectancy of Buffalo police officers in our sample was significantly lower
than the U.S. population (mean difference in life expectancy =21.9 years; 95% CI: 14.5-29.3; Association was proud coordinators of their Girl Power, and sponsoring a championship
p<0.0001). Life expectancy of police officers was shorter and differences were more pronounced youth soccer team. Community Leaders also received funding from the New York City
TO HELP US CREATE A PLAN FOR ALL NEW YOR in younger age categories. Additionally, police officers had a significantly higher average
The City of New York
Council to expand lunch programs, refurbish playgrounds and gyms, expand presence of
Mayor Bill de Blasio security cameras as well as bring many other great resources to the neighborhood.
Correspondence regarding this article may be directed to Dr. Violanti at [email protected].. Health First continued its community events with their massive Health Expo at the
Anthony Shorris
First Deputy Mayor
Gouveneur Playground in early summer. A crowning achievement, led by Claremont
Bill de Blasio Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora Neighborhood Center in partnership with NYC Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson, was the
Mayor Commissioner
Claremont community hosting Mayor Bill de Blasio for his first Bronx Town Hall at the CNC
gymnasium.

Studio Gang
16
How to gain understanding?

Explore Precedents
Studying precedent buildings can lead to
discoveries about the relationship between the
built environment, police–community relations, and
neighborhood safety. Go beyond the image: research
the response to the built work and, if possible, speak
to people who encounter it on a daily basis to uncover
its impact on those who use and experience it.

Approach
• Study existing buildings and spaces that
incorporate features to address neighborhood
safety.
• Search for regionally diverse examples but be
mindful of their relevance to a specific climate
and culture.
• Analyze the physical interventions and the
Rampart Station, Los Angeles, 2008 Dudley Square Station, Boston, 2011
patterns of programmatic use to further Perkins + Will Architects Leers Weinzapfel Associates
understand their potential benefits.

Skiyabashi Koban (Police Box), Tokyo, 1982 121st Precinct, New York City, 2013
Yamashita Rafael Viñoly Architects

Studio Gang
17
How to gain understanding?

Investigate Sites
Visiting a neighborhood is not enough; it takes
exploring a space with residents and specialists
to build relationships and develop a deeper
understanding of a place.

Approach
• Explore the neighborhood with resident leaders,
service providers, and specialists.
• Talk to people of all ages to hear different
perspectives.
• Walk the neighborhood at different times of day.

NYPD ride-along w/ Officers Hossain and Jamil Specialist site investigation w/ Mindy Fullilove

Community-led night tours Studio Gang site investigation w/ Jeanne Gang

Studio Gang
18
How to gain understanding?

Findings
From Agencies From Communities From Specialists

Initiatives Partner with local groups. Mental Health Insights, Mindy Fullilove
• Vision Zero Community-based organizations and stakeholders Neighborhoods suffer because they are cut off from
NYC Dept. of Transportation (NYC DOT) are experts in their communities. Lead with local social and economic systems, which in turn inflames
• Parks Without Borders knowledge, skills, and services. crime and drives negative public health outcomes.
NYC Parks Dept. (NYC Parks) Decades of slanderous statements directed against
• NextGeneration NYCHA Encourage collaboration. public housing must be reversed; though imperfect it
NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) Build coalitions to strengthen community is a valuable asset that backstops the economic well-
• Green Infrastructure Program partnerships and leverage skills, knowledge, and being of disadvantaged New Yorkers. Multi-system,
NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) joint funding opportunities. multi-scale interventions—sensitive to local culture
• Mayorʼs Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety and local voices—are required to address the social
Mayorʼs Office for Criminal Justice (MOCJ) Support community leadership. inequalities and injustices that drive crime.
• Mayorʼs Office of Tech + Innovation (MOTI) Properly recognize and compensate participants for
• Building Healthy Communities their time. Criminal Justice Insights, Stacey L. Barrenger
Mayors' Office of Strategic Partnership (MOSP) To successfully combat social disorganization
and the Fund for Public Health in New York Create resident-driven policies. leading to increased delinquency, crime, and
Engage residents in the design and implementation perceptions of dangerousness, it is imperative to
Tool Kits & Public Resources of policies that pertain to neighborhood safety. increase opportunities for social interaction between
• Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NYPD) community members and to foster increased
• LinkNYC (MOTI) Involve youth. informal social control and collective efficacy.
• Rain Gardens (DEP) Involve youth in design and development processes in
• Green Carts (NYC Health) meaningful ways. Engagement is key to project viability. Economic Insights, James Lima
• Movies Under the Stars (DPR) Residents perceive the streets and public places in
• Street Seats, Plaza Program, Under the El (DOT) Build on previous work and support ongoing work. the study areas to be dangerous, thus limiting the
Build on existing plans and future capital projects. viability of a commercial environment. Place-based
Connect to existing programs, initiatives, and design economic development approaches, formulated and
Opportunities for Coordination/Collaborations proposals. Much work has already been done; use it! driven by the community, are best suited to reverse
• Lighting this trend because the problems and solutions are
• Art in public space Make information accessible. more accurately and contextually defined.
• Library programming Share collected data and information back with the
• Edges of NYCHA campuses community to help leaders make informed future Data Analytics, Will Snyder
• Streets and sidewalks next to civic property decisions. The Hardship Index offers a more complete picture
• Intersection of civic spaces and transportation of an individual's economic challenges than any
Create clear expectations. one data set. The usual link between neighborhood
Communicate project goals, deliverables, and average income and social engagement is negatively
timeline. Don't over promise and under deliver. affected by local levels of economic inequality.

Studio Gang
19
How to gain understanding?

Findings
From Literature From Precedents From Sites

The Value of Parks and Plazas Transparent and Welcoming Entry, Rampart Station NYPD Ride-Along
People with abundant access to parks and plazas Rampart uses two transferable strategies to create Officers Hossain and Jamil of the 44th Precinct
are 28 percent more likely to trust police (Center for a sense of welcoming. A gracious lobby oriented took Studio Gang on a night patrol. It was important
Active Design and the Knight Foundation, “Assembly toward an adjacent community garden, combined to see the consistent dispersal of groups in public
Research Brief No. 1”). with extensive glazing, creates a sense of arrival spaces, hear why it was important, and learn how
and welcoming for visitors to the station. This officers on foot versus in a car respond differently to
Evidence for Green Streets community-oriented design is reinforced by the incident reports.
Streetscape greenery improves neighborhood social clear visual connection from the waiting area to the
cohesion, trust, and positive relationships (de Vries et community multipurpose room and the community Specialist Site Investigation
al. [2013]. “Streetscape greenery and health: Stress, relations office, and other publicly oriented services. Studio Gang walked the sites with Mindy Fullilove,
social cohesion and physical activity as mediators”). James Lima, and Hester Street to gain their unique
Prominent Community Room, Dudley Square Station perspectives of each neighborhood and to talk to
Support for Program Activation Dudley Square demonstrates how to raise awareness of people, like Chino (page 18, top right), about the
People with access to community events are 13 police outreach efforts by making the community room challenges and opportunities they see.
percent more likely to trust police (Center for Active a literal beacon for the neighborhood. The double-
Design and the Knight Foundation, “Soul of the height space is prominently located at the front Community-Led Night Tours
Community”). corner of the building in a glass volume, announcing To complement the NYPD ride-along, Studio Gang
its presence by glowing at night. The room and other walked Morrisania at night with Five Mualimm-ak to
Rationale for Community Events community-related offices are directly accessible learn what activities happen at night and where.
Getting together once a year or more with neighbors from a corner entry.
reduces crime (Bellair, Paul. [1997]. “Social Studio Gang Site Investigations
interaction and community crime: examining the Entry Greeters, Skiyabashi Koban (Police Box) By walking the streets, interacting with local
importance of neighbor networks”). Skiyabashi exhibits a transferable strategy for businesses and CBOs, and speaking to residents,
strengthening ties between residents and officers: Studio Gang gained an understanding of the context
The Case for Culture move the point of contact outside. Officers positioned in which the physical and social networks of each
Access to cultural resources is linked to a 14 percent in public space greet visitors, answer questions, and neighborhood exist. Studio Gang used this grounding
decrease in child abuse and an 18 percent drop in make the police building more approachable and to develop strategies and interventions that will
crime (Stern, Mark and Susan Seifert. [2017]. “The connected to the street. effectively bridge gaps and connect disparate places
Social Wellbeing of New York City’s Neighborhoods: and people.
The Contribution of Culture and the Arts”). Greenery and Stormwater Retention, 121st Precinct
The 121stʼs community green space and rain
garden visually manifest a commitment to public
stewardship, shared values, and community outreach
by placing a well cared for neighborhood amenity in
public view. This strategy of using small gestures to
demonstrate broader values can be deployed at other
Studio Gang
precincts throughout the city.
20
Whatʼs important?

Studio Gang
21
Identify Points of Convergence
Experts determined, and community members confirmed, that • High proportion of ”disconnected“ youth (ages 16–19, out of
neighborhood safety involves a wide variety of issues, all of which school and work)
need to be addressed simultaneously to make lasting change.
Identified through multiple workshops and meetings, these issues
• Lack of programs that appeal to youth
were categorized into six families of related challenges and • Negative relationship between police and community and
opportunities. between police and young men of color
• High levels of incarceration and recidivism
• High levels of returning citizens
• High crime in and around NYCHA
• Youth crew territories negatively affect area
• Territories are barriers to services
• Need better lighting throughout neighborhood
Youth Engagement • Crime around transit hubs
• Need neutral space
• Lack of awareness of available services
Violence Prevention • Need intergenerational space
• Need diversity of recreation options
• Lack of spaces for visitors
Culture & Community • Informal barriers to use of assets
• Underutilized land
• Underutilized assets
Built Environment • Broken commercial corridors
• Outstanding NYCHA maintenance issues
• Businesses are closed in evenings and at night
• Lack of workforce training for women, youth, incarcerated,
Jobs & Small Businesses and formerly incarcerated
• Landlords holding property hostage
• High obesity rates (32–35 percent)
Health & Wellness • Poor overall health of residents
• Need access to healthy food and food education
• Limited places to spend discretionary time

Studio Gang
22
Whatʼs important?

Organize the Issues

The "policy wheel" is a graphic expression of the
broad range of issue types under consideration in
this study. Organized as a circle, it is immediately
clear when one category or another is absent.

En
Throughout this document, the wheel appears as

lln &
Yo eme

s
ga
a quick graphic summarizing the effects of a given

We alth
es
uth nt
place or program, whether proposed or existing.

g
Studio Gang‘s ambition is that such a graphic

He
leitmotif serves as a check ensuring that designs
reflect the needs and aspirations of the people with
the most at stake, which in turn greatly increases
the potential that they make lasting impacts. This
framework of toggling between design and evaluation Jobs &
can be used to address any complex policy issue. Violence Safe Small
Prevention Space Businesses

En
mm e &
ity

vir
un
Co ltur

on
me
Cu

nt
Studio Gang
23
Where to start?

Studio Gang
24
Start With Whatʼs There
Studio Gang worked with community members,
specialists, and agencies to identify people,
programs, and places that are assets in each
community. Additionally, there are elements that are
held in common on every block and planned public
investments that can be leveraged to contribute to
neighborhood safety.

Mapping these discoveries spatially and temporally

can reveal key opportunities for design to support, fill
in the gaps, and connect the existing assets in each
neighborhood.

Be on Belmont at Osborn Plaza, September 1, 2017 (Photo: Made in Brownsville)

169th Step Streets (Photo: Studio Gang)

Studio Gang
25
Where to start?

People
Work with communities to identify people who are
n Ave

Moth
neighborhood assets. Engage them to learn how Pitki
and where design can support their projects and
initiatives. Some examples in Brownsville include:

er G
Watk

ast
1 2

Osbo

ins S

on B
That

rn S

lvd
ford

t
Ave
Local Business Owners Resident Leaders
Ionna, Diana, and At the Langston Hughes
Melissa Jimenez Senior Center
6
1
ve
ont A
3 4 Belm
Rock
4 5

3
away

Neighbors Community Based

Organizations 2
Ave

Brownsville residents
Made in Brownsville

5 6 er Av
e
Sutt

Case Study, Belmont Avenue, Brownsville

National Agencies with City Agencies

Local Presence NYPD
Center for Court Studio Gang
Innovation
26
Where to start?

Programs and Places

Work with communities to map programs and places
n Ave

Moth
that are neighborhood assets to reveal patterns Pitki
of programmatic use. By revealing whatʼs there,
you can identify what and where to introduce new

er G
Watk
or additional programs. Program providers include
residents, agencies, schools, community based

ast
organizations, not for profits, businesses, and others.

Osbo

ins S

on B
That

rn S

lvd
Local Program Providers

ford

t
• Brownsville Community Justice Center

Ave
• Community Solutions
• Langston Hughes Senior Center
• 3 Black Cats Cafe
• Mayorʼs Office of Technology and Innovation
• Made in Brownsville ve
ont A
• Department of Transportation Belm
• Pitkin Avenue BID
• Belmont Medical
• Family Services Network of NY
Rock
away
Ave

e
er Av
Sutt

Case Study, Belmont Avenue, Brownsville

Health + Wellness
Jobs and Small Businesses
Youth
Culture + Community
Violence Prevention Studio Gang
27
Where to start?

Analyze Hours of Operation

Chart hours of operation and the times of formal Summer Weekday on Belmont Ave. 2017 Crime
and informal programming, looking for gaps in
types and at specific times of day. For a full analysis
01 AM 31
of both study areas, see Appendix 3 Hester Street 51
Community Engagement Report. 38
37
24
06 AM 23
6 26
6 7 1 1 1 1 46

Time of Day
1 2 3 4 5 9 10 4 4 4 2 37
8 2 2 2 36
3 3 3 49
12 PM 46
60
62
48
50
5 72
06 PM 82
High 68
76
69
Activity Gap! Crime 66
70
12 AM 68

0 50

Health + Wellness Major Crimes / Hour

Belmont Avenue, Brownsville

The chart above illustrates when services are available on Belmont Avenue, a historic
commercial corridor between two public housing developments that has been adopted by CBOs
but still feels unsafe at night due to a lack of lighting and inactivity. The programs are charted
relative to crime to investigate correlation between program-deficient times of day and crime.

Health + Wellness
Jobs and Small Businesses
Youth
Culture + Community
Violence Prevention Studio Gang
28
Where to start?

Assess Programs
Review types of programs that exist and those that
are absent but desired to assess their potential to
support neighborhood safety.

Grocery Barber Beauty Boxing Co Working Indoor

Store Supply Space Performance

Town Hall Clinic Bank Daycare Retail

+ Media Lab Kitchen
Collective
Meditation
Garden
Workshop Rock
Climbing

Cafe Gym Library Farmer's Dance Studio Construction

Market Training

Whatʼs there Whatʼs possible

Studio Gang
29
Where to start?

Identify the Anatomy of the Block

There are many elements of the city that are owned
in common. Highlight those that are contributing
or have the potential to contribute to neighborhood
safety.

City-Owned Streetlight
Building

.
e
v
A
t
n
o
lm
e
B

O
s
b
o
r
n
S
t.
Bus Shelter
City Bench
W
a
tk
in
s
S
t.

.
e
v
A
in
k
it
P
Link NYC
Tree + Bioswale

Bike Racks Playground

Studio Gang
30
What can design do?

Studio Gang
31
Match What's There with What's Possible
Match whatʼs there with whatʼs possible to maximize
the impact of interventions and address all of the
core issue types on every site.
En

En

En
lln &

lln &

lln &
Yo eme

Yo eme

Yo eme
s

s
ga

ga

ga
We alth

We alth

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es

es

es
uth nt

uth nt

uth nt
g

g
He

He

He
Violence
Prevention
Jobs &
Small
Businesses
+ Violence
Prevention
Jobs &
Small
Businesses
= Violence
Prevention
Safe
Space
Jobs &
Small
Businesses
En

En

En
mm e &

mm e &

mm e &
ity

ity

ity
vir

vir

vir
un

un

un
Co ltur

Co ltur

Co ltur
on

on

on
me

me

me
Cu

Cu

Cu
nt

nt

nt
Whatʼs There Whatʼs Possible Safe Space!

Studio Gang
32
What can design do?

Convene

People Programs
The Jimenez sisters, 3 Black Cats NYC DOH MH Green Carts

People Partnerships
NYPD patrolmen and chiefs Brownsville Community Justice Center

Programs Provide physical and programmatic means through Partnerships

Made in Brownsville Creative which individuals and organizations can share Brownsville Community Culinary
Mentorship Center
ownership of spaces that connect them to create
an activated network of safe space and access to
opportunity.
Studio Gang
33
What can design do?

Connect

Public Buildings Lighting

Open to the street. Continuously light corridors.
Activate sidewalks and open space. Provide human-scale lighting.

Street Elements Arts & Culture

Make strategic pairings. Express local identity.
Create safe places to gather. Empower local stakeholders.

Trees & Plantings There are many components of the built environment Private Property
Ensure consistent density and that contribute to connectivity, which can strengthen Extend hours of operation.
distribution. Light the public way.
neighborhoods and decrease territoriality. Also
strategies like CitiBike and MTA busses can connect
neighborhoods to the larger city.
Studio Gang
34
What can design do?

Research-driven Design

More green Night lights

reduces crime. invite activity.

=
Jobs Crime

When employment is Parks grow healthy

up, crime goes down. people and neighborhoods.

$$$
E

Places to meet Identify design opportunities that are rooted in Great streets make
build trust. discoveries from the listen-and-learn process. These prosperous streets
direct links between whatʼs important and whatʼs
there are strong foundations for design proposals.

Studio Gang
35
What can design do?

Coordinate Planned Public Investments

Like many low-income neighborhoods in New York
City, a large proportion of the built environment
of Brownsville and Morrisania is publicly owned
and receives significant city investment from many
offices, agencies, and authorities. As a result,
planned capital investments are common in these
areas. By coordinating efforts between multiple city
agencies and in partnership with communities, these
public investments can be leveraged to improve
neighborhood safety and community well-being.

For instance, DOT street lighting initiatives are

primarily concerned with vehicular safety and focus
on light levels in the roadbed, rather than on the ture
ur fu
ome, o
our h
sidewalk. However, if DOT consulted with NYCHA and
NYPD before installing new lighting, crime data and
public housing community needs could be factored The Brownsville Plan FDNY Rescue Company 2, Brownsville Brooklyn
into the decision-making process. As a result,
issues of neighborhood safety could be addressed by
increasing sidewalk light levels.

Similarly, public library facilities upgrades could be

further informed by local education initiatives and
needs. After-school programs often lack sufficient
staff and funding, yet careful coordination between
local groups, agencies, and institutions could allow
for solutions that might not be possible for any one
entity acting alone. For instance, a library might
request funds to build a computer classroom for a
local nonprofit, such as Girls Who Code, to operate
an after-school coding club, thus meeting a need for
youth-oriented skill-building activities.

HPD Housing, Via Verde, Morrisania The Bronx Vision Zero for pedestrian traffic safety

Studio Gang
36
What can design do?

Design Strategies

Step 1: Start Here Step 2: Expand the Investment Step 3: Fulfill Vision
Light touch, community-engaged projects Public realm–focused capital investments Existing asset–focused capital investments

• Work in phases to identify where community- • Make inviting entrances for police officers and • Build station house additions that are
driven initiatives can grow into an agency- visitors that welcome community members transparent, bright, sustainable, and
driven capital project. into precincts and encourage resident welcoming. The additions can permanently
involvement in law enforcement. alter the public face of police stations.
• Create public space in front of civic buildings
in partnership with the community to celebrate • Create interagency spaces for the delivery • Expand existing assets, such as libraries, to
the identity of the neighborhood and adjacent of services in station houses and other accommodate increased functionality, host
institutions using simple low-cost surface civic buildings to meet a broader spectrum more robust community events, and support
treatments. of community need. Such overlaps could greater levels of interagency programming.
include mental health counseling for returning
• Relocate parking away from main entrances citizens, assistance navigating the criminal • Construct "lantern" buildings that create
of station houses and civic buildings to open justice system, technology training, and youth space for the delivery of agency services and
access and welcome participation. engagement initiatives. nonprofit programs. Such spaces could host
youth and adult education courses, workforce
• Leverage existing programs from multiple • Define community spaces in and around training, cultural programming, and community
city agencies (Dept. of Transportation, Dept. station houses, librarires, and other civic group meetings, among others. Furthermore,
of Environmental Protection, Parks Dept., buildings that bring together police, community these lanterns would illuminate streets and
Mayorʼs Office for Tech + Innovation, etc.) that organizations, and CBOs to strengthen increase nighttime activity, thereby improving
operate in the public realm to improve the partnerships and address the complex roots of neighborhood safety.
open space adjacent to civic buildings. crime.
• Create flexible indoor and outdoor spaces that
• Design a tracking process for following the • Activate the public realm by enhancing streets can adapt to many uses.
progress of multiple interagency initiatives. and plazas with art, lighting, and plantings.
Include indicators and metrics for measuring • Implement scenarios that meet budget and
effectiveness. • Support commercial activity near station opportunity of agency programs, capital plans,
houses and other civic buildings so that and operational capacity.
• Investigate the public realm to identify what residents, officers, and civil servants can
elements can contribute to neighborhood interact on neutral ground. • Measure success by identifying issues
safety including streets, sidewalks, transit and related metrics that will track the
stops, parks, plazas, building entrances, and • Amplify local activity that CBOs and effectiveness of implemented solutions.
vacant and underutilized land. associations already have underway. Alloying
preexisting community initiatives with agency
• Leverage the knowledge of experts, agencies, support increases both the odds of positive
residents, and research found in relevant outcomes and the prudent allocation of city
literature and studies. funds to programs with proven track records. Studio Gang
37
What can design do?

Programs, Policy, and Partnership Strategies

Step 1: Start Here Step 2: Expand the Investment Step 3: Fulfill Vision
Light touch, community-engaged projects Public realm–focused capital investments Existing asset–focused capital investments

• Measure a range of indicators of community • Position inter-agency stewardship structure • Employ community liaisons who help identify
health and well-being such as positive to collaborate with and be accountable to community resources for officers and serve
police–community interactions, levels of social community residents and leadership. as a bridge between police and community
engagement, and degree of hardship before, members.
during, and after design interventions and • Design interventions in partnership with
activation of stewardship structures. communities to empower residents through • Support cultural, recreational, and
collaboration and transparent decision-making. community activities on nights and weekends
• Measure positive interactions and that align with community priorities.
collaborative efforts between police and • Partner station houses with community-
residents. based organizations to program public spaces
inside and outside.
• Develop a stewardship structure for inter-
agency cooperation to deliver and maintain • Assign responsibility for coordinated delivery
neighborhood activation projects and of community and commercial services in and
programs. around station houses.

• Assign officers to nontraditional locations • Encourage and support youth activity in public
like parks, libraries, and health centers to places day and night.
interact and build relationships with residents.
• Prioritize pedestrian safety at entrances and
• Place officers at entrances of station houses along sidewalks at station houses, NYCHA
to meet and greet neighborhood residents and campuses, and other public places.
visitors. Communities reliably rate this effective.
• Connect neighborhoods to the city with transit.
• Connect neighborhoods to the city by extending Many residents in MAP identified neighborhoods
the CitiBike network. Many residents in MAP suffer from limited access to transit and in turn
identified neighborhoods suffer from limited the economic opportunities present in the city at
access to transit and in turn the economic large. By improving bus service, adding further
opportunities present in the city at large. SBS routes, improving subway headways to
CitiBike offers a simple, easy to install, and speed commutes, this structural disadvantage
low cost means of improving neighborhood can be addressed.
connectivity and access to nearby transit
options.

Studio Gang
38
What can design do?

Expand Agency Tools

Many agencies have robust tool kits of elements that
have the potential to increase neighborhood safety;
however, through this project, Studio Gang identified
three new tools that will improve safety, health, well-
being, and access to opportunity.

Parasol Lantern Civic Front Yard

A simple structure that provides A transparent building that hosts A well lit, active public space
shelter and light for gathering. programs that activate spaces adjacent to civic buildings
Can be deployed as an array to year-round. Brings light to the that creates opportunities for
cover larger areas. surrounding area. Transparency interaction and engagement.
allows residents to see what's Expands the use of the civic
happening inside. building while also making it
more welcoming.

Studio Gang
39
How to know it's working?

Studio Gang
40
Measure Impact
Gather data on a range of factors that affect
neighborhood safety to analyze the impact of design
interventions. Set a baseline prior to implementation
and take consistent qualitative and quantitative
measurements to expose efficacy. Make this
information widely available to inform more effective
future investment.

Crime & Incarceration Social Engagement Youth Engagement

Major Crimes Short-Term • After-school program participation rate
• Murder and non-negligible manslaughter Outputs: Programs and activities could begin • High school graduation rate
• Rape changing output metrics in a span of months. • Youth summer and annual employment
• Robbery • 311 reports: noise complaints • College matriculation and graduation
• Felony assault • 311 reports: trash/litter
• Burglary • Job training outputs
• Grand larceny • Block party permits Community Relations
• Incarceration Rate • In-person complaints and conversations with
Medium-Term police
Public Crime Individual or population outcomes: Programs • Non-crime-related formal police and community
Public crime rate has a strong and statistically targeted at individuals or small groups of people engagement (e.g., presence at job fairs, sporting
significant negative impact on social engagement. could effect change in these metrics in a 3-to-5-year leagues, participation in parades)
• Violent crimes and weapons violations recorded time period. • Informal officer interactions with residents that
as taking place in the public way • Disconnected youth (individuals ages 16–24, out are positive versus correctional in nature
of school and work) • Percentage of community feedback that is
• Proportion of seniors living alone positive versus negative
Hardship • Limited English proficiency • Neighborhood quality-of-life surveys
• Crowded housing • Residents reporting poor mental health • Number of officers with Crisis Intervention
• Poverty rate • Building violations Training (CIT) per shift
• Unemployment
• Adults without high school equivalence
• Age dependency ratio
Long-Term Health Indicators
Systemic change: Programs targeted at community • Self reported health
• Per capita income social engagement could effect lasting change over • Physical activity in the last 30 days
the long term, such as 5 to 10 years. • Daily fruit & vegetable consumption
Economic Opportunity • Change in rent prices • Hospitalization for mental health, childhood
• Annual business survey • How often residents move asthma rates
• Pedestrian count along commercial corridors • Housing vacancy • Obesity & diabetes rates
• Physical improvements to property • Residents with cognitive/ambulatory disabilities • Infant mortality rate & Premature mortality rate
• Childhood Lead poisoning
Studio Gang
• See Tech. Background for more info
41
What's transferable?

Studio Gang
42
Neighborhood Activation Approach
An integrated approach of engagement, quantitative

En
and qualitative research, analysis, and design

lln &
Yo eme

s
ga

We alth
es
uth nt
g
is required to develop plans for neighborhood

He
activation. These six steps provide a framework
Jobs &
for locating where to work, gathering information, Violence Safe Small
Prevention Space Businesses
uncovering what‘s important, finding what to start,
designing for maximum impact, and analyzing

En
mm e &
ity

vir
influence.

un
Co ltur

on
me
Cu

nt
1 2 3
Find Opportunity Listen and Learn Discover Points
in Places with Need of Convergence

4 5 6
Start With Whatʼs There Strengthen, Combine, Measure Impact
and Connect

Studio Gang
43
STUDIO GANG CONSULTANT TEAM SPECIAL THANKS
PROJECT TEAM
Hester Street Elizabeth Glazer Morrisania Community Based Organizations
Jeanne Gang Community Engagement Director, Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice Action Center
Founder and Principal Andrew Freedman Home
James Lima Amy Sananman BC2/SUP/JHP/Drive Change
Mark Schendel James Lima Planning + Development Executive Director of the Mayor’s Action Plan for Bringing the Peace
Managing Principal Economic and Placemaking Specialist Neighborhood Safety Bronx Connect
Bronx Defenders
Gia Biagi Presence Health Tamara Greenfield Bronx Health Reach
Principal of Urbanism + Data Analysis Program Director of Building Healthy Bronx Neighborhood Health
Civic Impact Communities Bronx Works
Mindy Fullilove Cern-Inc
Weston Walker Mental Health Specialist Ifeoma Ebo Children’s Aid Society
Design Principal Senior Design Advisor, Mayor's Office of Criminal CHVI
Stacey Barrenger Justice Claremont Board
Rodia Valladares Criminal Justice Specialist Claremont Neighborhood Center
Senior Project Team Leader Philip Heller Claremont Healthy Village Initiative
Arup Director of Capital Projects, New York Police Community Board 2
Project Team Sustainability, Security, Lighting, and Traffic Department Directions for our Youth
Abraham Bendheim Specialist Family Medicine Bronx
Lindsey Wikstrom Dean Anagnostos Hi-Tech Charities
Teo Quintana Toscano Clements Taylor Detective, Capital Construction Unit, New York Incarcerated Nation Corp
Cost Estimation Police Department Incarcerated Nation Inc.
With Morris House TA
Andrea Rovetta ICOR Margaret O'Donoghue Castillo Mother of Us All
Angela Peckham Mechanical Specialist Chief Architect, Office of the Chief Architect Neighborhood Benches
Art Terry Outreach Co
Bethany Mahre Frank Kugler Parsons School of Design
Heinz Von Eckartsberg Director, Department of Design and Construction Partners for Parks
Jonathan Izen Phipps Neighborhoods
Kimberly Daul Fé Rodríguez Márquez So Bro
Perry Strong Project Manager, Department of Design and Street Soccer USA
Stanley Schultz Construction Street Vendor Power
Wei-ju Lai The Door- Bronx Youth Center
Brownsville Community Based Organizations Webster Morrisania
Sarah Kramer +1 Health Urban Health Plan Inc.
Senior Editor 3 Black Cats
Block Bully IT/CCC © 2018 Studio Gang Architects
BMS Family Health Center All rights reserved.
Brooklyn Public Library
Brownsville Community Justice Center Studio Gang Architects
Community Board 16 50 Broad Street, Suite 1003
Community Solutions New York, NY 10004
DOHMH Action Center +1 212 579 1514
Dream Big
DUECES studiogang.com
Engineering for Kids [email protected]
FOBP/Kinnon Group
Friends of Brownsville Parks Kinnon Group
Green City Force
It’s Our Time
Made in Brownsville
Office of Latrice Walker
Pitkin Avenue BID
Van Dyke Residents Studio Gang
Van Dyke Tenant Association
44
Studio Gang