HuB-URB
Juror summary: a clear conceptualization of needed north-south intra-island links in the railroad system, paired with sensitively-designed small parks and public spaces for downtown hubs.
Long Island is viewed by many today as a suburb to Manhattan, but it does not have to be. The key is to increase the efficiency of the LIRR, making it more useful for intra-Long Island purposes. This submission looks closely at the LIRR stations and tries to transform them into true "hubs" for Long Island.
At the regional level, a transit framework is conceptualize for Long Island that could use LIRR for intra-Long Island trips and moving goods, and to connect the LIRR stations with an new and greener rapid transit system. Growth centers will be focused and restricted around transit hubs. Residences, workers, and visitors would be able to get to every necessary place by transit within Long Island. Suburban strip malls will lose their competitive edge to the mixed-use activities centers around transit hub. Their vast land could be used to restore natural resources.
Hicksville downtown and station area is studied under the principles of the bigger concept for Long Island. New development will fill under-utilized paved areas and create public places with parks and trees. Parking is consolidated into garage structures that are to be shared by different users. A series of new public places are created on former surface parking lots and connected via enhanced streets. Land Use pattern is flexible and phaseable.
With a regional guideline and action items at each station, Long Island could eventually reshape itself from sub-urb to hub-urb.
Key themes: new mass transit networks, transit-oriented development (TOD), strengthening the public/civic realm, walkability
Collaborators: Jing Su