In the September, 2002, issue
I briefly shared my reactions as one of 500 volunteer facilitators from around the world who worked with 5000 citizens of the greater New York Region in an all-day, high-tech public consultation called "Listening to the City." This event took place at the Jacob Javits Centre on June 20, 2002, with an overflow session on June 22.

The focus of this process was to critique six architects' concept renderings for rebuilding the World Trade Centre and to make suggestions on the broader issue of redeveloping the Lower Manhatten financial district and neighbourhoods following the attacks of 9/ll.

As promised in the last issue of Esprit d'ACCORD, here's an update on this process:

Since this consultation "stone" hit the public-private "pond," its ripple effects have made waves. The planning process with its heavy emphasis on speed was slowed down. The leasehold interests of the World Trade Center owner - it recently had been privatized - and the response of public officials to these interests were questioned regarding the public interests involved. The six architectural firms and their concepts submitted for consultation were scrapped. The principal citizens' recommendations have been endorsed, including

a) a transit hub and major transit improvement,
b) restored streets through the site
c) a world class symbol for New York City skyline
d) residential housing
e) a Grand Promenade
f) cultural elements
g) low and middle income housing and
h) job creation.