Culture is the fabric that connects our communities.
Our public spaces can uplift neighborhood histories and celebrate diverse cultural identities.
Through markets, art installations, and cultural programs, our partners will reclaim public spaces to reflect the unique character of their neighborhoods. Through their work, they will build power with their neighbors, develop long-term visions and advocate for future investments.
Current Projects
Richmond Hill, Queens
Chhaya CDC, in collaboration with Studio Fōr and Hive Public Space will activate Lt. Frank McConnell Park to celebrate the Indo-Caribbean and Punjabi communities of the area.
Flatbush, Brooklyn
GrowHouse Community Design + Development Group, in collaboration with Creative Urban Alchemy will develop creative activations around the Flatbush African Burial Ground.
Far Rockaway, Queens
Queens Community Justice Center-The Rockaways, in collaboration with RUEd’ ARCH and Snøhetta will activate shared spaces on NYCHA campuses through resident-led street festivals and cultural programming.
Tompkinsville, Staten Island
Staten Island Urban Center (SIUC), in collaboration with A+A+A, will activate Tompkinsville Park to uplift the richness of Afro-Caribbean culture through food, art, dance and music grounded in the memories of ancestors.
Soundview, Bronx
Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice (YMPJ) in collaboration with Ennead Lab and Public Works Partners will activate the future site of the Soundview Economic Hub — a currently vacant space underneath the Bruckner Expressway — with temporary art installations that honor the history of self-determination in the Bronx.
Practice Notes
Special Thanks
We thank the members of the selection panel who identified our inaugural partners: Sreoshy Banerjea, NYC Public Design Commission; Michelle Delk, Snøhetta; Libertad O. Guerra, The Clemente Center; Jeff Hébert, HR&A Advisors; Kendal Henry, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs; Fauzia Khanani, Studio Fōr; Chris Kui; Elena Martinez, WHEDco, Bronx Music Heritage Center; Catherine Mbali Green-Johnson, The Laundromat Project; and Emily Weidenhof, NYC Department of Transportation
Special thanks to Kramer Levin, Cozen O’Connor, and Silman Structural Solutions for legal and engineering support across our project teams.
Support Our Work
Our Rooted Cultures projects are made possible with lead support from the Mellon Foundation and with additional major support from the Charles H. Revson Foundation, the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, the NYC Green Relief & Recovery Fund, and the Lily Auchincloss Foundation.
Urban Design Forum programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
To learn more about supporting the Local Center, please contact Katherine Sacco, katherine@urbandesignforum.org and Lauren Nye, lauren.n@anhd.org