NYC Foodscapes

Abstract

Hell’s Kitchen West is currently transforming from former manufacturing to residential district however at the moment the quality of the living environment is far from being sufficient. The transition is done in a very hasty way and rezoning has a fragmentary character, some blocks have been already rezoned into residential and new high-rise housing developments are rising surrounded by warehouses, car retail shops, parking, car wash and warehouses which don't reflect the changing character of the urban environment. Moreover, the NYC planning department considers this zone a 'food desert' which means that the area between 10th and 12th avenues lacks public amenities which can provide fresh food. Doubled with the high level of environmental pollution from the Westside highway, lack of green public spaces and issues of reachability by public transport it leads to a discussion of how to create a qualitative urban environment for residents. Thus the research question is: How can food infrastructure be integrated into the residential urban environment of Hell’s Kitchen and soften the transition from the industrial past? How can local food manufacturing and distribution create new values for the community as well as provide green public spaces? The project is a combination of housing and Food Hub. Project is implemented in the group strategy of densification the strip of blocks along the Hudson River and creating new links with the waterfront and piers and thus establishing a new relationship between Midtown and the Hudson River. Food hub components are market and restaurants, urban farm/park-supermarket, e-commerce fresh food distribution centre, space for educational programs. Food and waste flows are a closed cycle between food hub ingredients and housing and shape a harmonious and sustainable food system.