Interesting story about a changing neighborhood in Brooklyn called Gowanus. 

Brownfield (industrial sites) redevelopment, superfund, toxic cleanup / environmental hazard, businesses opening up despite the recession and without big developers leading first..

“Many buildings and storefronts that had been sitting empty have opened with some really interesting retail and restaurant spots,” he said, giving as examples Bar Tano and Michael & Ping’s, a Chinese restaurant. “Also, because the rents are not yet astronomical, you’re seeing some great businesses that you might not see in a pricier neighborhood. Places like Brooklyn Homebrew on Eighth Street, where you can buy home-brew kits and ingredients, really give the neighborhood a unique quality. 

“The fact that this miniretail explosion happened during the recession,” Mr. Carden said, “I think speaks to the potential of this neighborhood.”

nytimes, 29.07.11.

and then some current news on the canal..

via climateadaptation: Hurricane Irene Could Be a Shitstorm in the Gowanus Canal (nymag)

The plan, once realized, calls for more than 10,000 new housing units, about a third of which will be offered at below market rates to help ensure socioeconomic diversity of the new community. One million square feet of retail space, nearly three million square feet of commercial space, facilities for artists and performers, and 336 acres of parks and green space are all contained in the redevelopment plans.

inhabitat, 27.07.11.

yay! Brownfield redevelopment! new hood in SF!!

but—I really hope they don’t skimp on the units of affordable housing.
or else where would low-income groups move to? what with the Tenderloin looking trendifying.. “Gentrification” with nice shops, cool buildings, and all that is not bad. Just need the place to remain in reach for all kinds of people. 

hunters point.

probably several articles on the sf chron about this. there was one I read a while ago with more details on the design/development.

Cheonggyecheon River Project in Seoul

This stream used to be buried underneath the city of Seoul until it was uncovered and transformed into a lush green park as part of the Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project. Since 2003, the new park has been like a major life-force for the center of the city, helping reduce temperatures and bridging the gap between the north and south of the metropolis. The 5.6 km park is encouraging new activity and recreation and is even home to an array of new insects, fish and other wildlife.

Wunderland Kalkar in Germany

If you’re looking for a bit more excitement in your park, check out the Wunderland Kalkar in Germany — an abandoned nuclear plant that has been transformed into an amusement park. The plant was never actually in operation, so have no fear of radiation — but rather than tearing it down, they transformed it into a park that draws hundreds of thousands of people every year.

inhabitat, 23.07.11.

one of my friends is studying abroard in seoul for the summer. Hope she pays this daylighted river park a visit.

..now whenever I hear of someone traveling someplace, I always have some place or thing to tell them about. Another friend earlier was thinking of spending a semester in Australia, in Brisbane, and I proceeded to tell him all about the obscenely cool BRT (bus rapid transit) there. yay~ international studies/urban planning!