Planyc 2030 and Preservation

On Tuesday, December 12th, Mayor Bloomberg announced that the city will undertake an unprecedented long-term planning process to become sustainable by 2030 (tentatively known as Planyc 2030). The speech highlighted three major challenges facing the effort: rising population, aging infrastructure and environmental degredation, and proposed some lofty goals to improve housing, traffic, open space and air quality. Missing in his speech at this early time, was any mention of preserving the city's historic assets. In fact, the stated goal "Creating enough housing for almost a million more people, and finding even more creative ways to make housing more affordable for more New Yorkers." sounds a lot like the current development policy which has lead to historic buildings being destroyed in the name of the affordable housing crisis. There is still time to remind the administration that preservation and affordable housing can go hand in hand with a sustainable, livable city in 2030.

Read the Mayor's speech here .

Also, visit the official website of the 2030 planning effort. Even in this early phase, they are taking comments and suggestions. Tell the administration that historic preservation will play a critical role in our sustainable city in 2030 by clicking here .