Theses Master's

Bonding with Communities as A Third Place – A Post-Occupancy Evaluation of The Privately Owned Public Space of Lincoln Center, New York City

Sun, Yuting

In New York City, the dramatic growth of skyscrapers, influenced by the unique zoning policies of privately owned public spaces (POPS), has reshaped the city's skyline and urban structure. These POPS are important "third spaces" where people can socialize, make new friends, and engage in community activities. Despite the importance of POPS in urban environments, there is a research gap in whether POPS design is effective in meeting local needs and how this impacts community connections. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Lincoln Center's POPS in meeting local needs and cultivating a sense of connection among residents.

This study explored the alignment between the design of David Rubenstein Atrium, a renovated POPS, and the needs of the surrounding community to investigate people's connection to public spaces. Data were collected from various sources, including site visits to public spaces, observations of people's behavior, a survey of 52 visitors to the site, and interviews with a former Lincoln Center officer. Emphasis was given to design features, services, and management and maintenance aspects of the atrium.

The investigation of the atrium revealed the impact of the relationship between its offerings and the needs of the surrounding community on people's connection to the space. The study summarizes key findings related to people's needs and the atrium's design features, services, and management and maintenance. The insights gained from this study provide recommendations for improvements to Lincoln Center and for government, urban designers, and planners. By understanding and improving the inclusiveness of POPS, the connection between neighboring communities and these spaces can be strengthened. Embedding the character and individuality of neighborhoods into the development of POPS can reinforce the role of these spaces in increasingly dense cities, thus contributing to a strong connection between people and public spaces.

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More About This Work

Academic Units
Urban Planning
Thesis Advisors
Slater, Thomas S. J.
Degree
M.S., Columbia University
Published Here
July 24, 2024