This course will explore the public realm in New York City -- with a focus on libraries, parks and streets. It will consider how these components of our infrastructure were first built and how we maintain, manage and, in particular, share these spaces today. The course will look at how the City and other stakeholders balance competing demands, how conflicts over access to these public places have been resolved, and what larger issues are at play in these dialogues. Issues covered will include the competition over limited curb space, controversial park and library development, and tensions around public programs that take place in libraries such as drag queen story hour. The course will include readings, case studies, site visits in the field, panel discussions, and guest lectures from practitioners.
This topics course changes every term it is offered. Previous syllabi are on our website to give students an idea of the different types of content that is covered. For a syllabus for the current offering, please email the instructor directly.