Jane Jacobs Atlantic Yards Report Card #23: Protection Against Self-Destruction of Diversity of Building Use? NO

This is evaluation item #23 (of 47) of the Jane Jacobs Atlantic Yards Report Card

Protection Against Self-Destruction of Diversity of Building Use? NO

(Some of the Buildings that would be demolished to build Atlantic Yards.)

Jane Jacobs describes a problem of the too successful city where diversity is lost when supplanted by crowded uses like banks or insurance companies that lack diversity. Though each is economically successful in its own right, Jacobs feels a dull monotony takes over with the crowding. She recommends counteracting the problem with zoning measures and by creating what she refers to as “staunch”public buildings that would hold their ground and not change their use over time. This has application to Atlantic Yards mainly in that buildings that could have been converted and enlisted for such “staunch” uses, perhaps as schools or libraries, are being torn down instead. Beyond that, it is difficult to foresee that Atlantic Yard will have future problems with the crowding of to too many similar successful enterprises.

(Above: Ward Bakery Building that could have been preserved and turned into a school, museum or central community facility.)

JJ Cites: [. . . . “staunch” “public buildings” with fixed purposes- p. 252. (Z)oning for diversity- - since the deliberate intent is to prevent excess duplication of the most profitable uses. . . p. 253]

(Below: Ward Bakery Building being demolished.)