For site analysis of our proposed intervention The High Line in New York City, I was attracted to the idea of. Each day 12,000 tons of waste is produced in New York City. What is the nature of people's relationship to processes of urban waste circulation, infrastructure and exportation surrounding the High Line?
Google Maps Analysis Exercise:
While Google Maps, and Google Maps Satellite View and Google Street View were are helpful tools in examining the urban landscape which surrounds our site, overall I found Google Street View to be the most informative about various non-physical forces. Google maps was helpful in contextualizing the site within the larger layout of the city, and comparing the larger trends such as food, shopping, or recreational hubs in contrast to other surrounding areas. The abstract aesthetic of this tool eliminated unnecessary detail, so that these trends and larger context were more easily recognizable. Despite this, many of the things I was observed felt like they were based more on speculation than on physically observable evidence or real data.
While some trends became less distinguishable with the details provided by Google Maps Satellite View, most, after being identified and understood through Google Maps were overall supplemented by the detail. I found that the most useful aspect of this tool was the ability that it provided to see details of roofs and other spaces non-accessible to someone on the street. This characteristic was also what drew me to Google Street View tool, which through its in situ experiential abilities revealed other important spaces and factors, which (in a reversal of the the roof/street view accessibility point) would otherwise be invisible from one’s computer, and the birds-eye view provided by the first two described tools. Within these sites were a variety of additional details such as authoritative figures, signs, waste management tools and aesthetic which were helpful clues regarding larger trends in social, cultural and historical and technological use of the urban landscape.
While some trends became less distinguishable with the details provided by Google Maps Satellite View, most, after being identified and understood through Google Maps were overall supplemented by the detail. I found that the most useful aspect of this tool was the ability that it provided to see details of roofs and other spaces non-accessible to someone on the street. This characteristic was also what drew me to Google Street View tool, which through its in situ experiential abilities revealed other important spaces and factors, which (in a reversal of the the roof/street view accessibility point) would otherwise be invisible from one’s computer, and the birds-eye view provided by the first two described tools. Within these sites were a variety of additional details such as authoritative figures, signs, waste management tools and aesthetic which were helpful clues regarding larger trends in social, cultural and historical and technological use of the urban landscape.
Further analysis included researching and falling in love with the emerging field of Cirtical Discard Studies: https://discardstudies.com/about/ and explorations of the history of aesthetics of waste.
The proposed spatial intervention would act as an encounter for visitors to New York City's High Line as they walked along its path and enjoyed the surrounding scenery. Drawing its facade aesthetics from the surrounding landscape - the wharf pilings visible in the Hudson River, the building would host various programs chosen based on specific contextual influences such as retail, warehouse, residential and public park landscape surroundings:
