Innovative Cultural Uses of Urban Space

Introducing NOCD-NY's full profile series, Innovative Cultural Uses of Urban Space. 

This collection emerged out of discussions about resourceful uses of space for arts and cultural practice. Examples share stories about the complex process of transforming vacant lots and underused public spaces into vibrant cultural sites that revealed a reservoir of local know-how and creative approaches.

Organized by topic, report drafts were presented as conversation points at our Spacing Out event, where participants informed and enhanced the series into their final form. The series was designed as a tool for the field, but models and best practices continue to evolve.  If you would like to purchase a hard copies, contact info@nocdny.org.

Introduction and Executive Summary

Adaptive Reuse

Shared space

Constructions Zones and Vacant Lots

Public Outdoor Space: Long-Term & Short-Term

Publicly Owned Facilities

Religious Spaces

A special thanks to our case study authors for distilling a diverse range of experiences into go-to resources. The series was made possible by The Rockefeller Foundation, Cultural Innovation Fund, and The New York Community Trust.