upstate new york: experimental urbanism for a re energized society

dynamic landscapes event spaces + towers with solar plane by joselia mendiolea all images courtesy of the pratt institute

upstate new york: experimental urbanism for a re-energized society lobby gallery in higgins hall, brooklyn, new york march 26th through march 30th, 2012

this exhibition of student work from pratt institute explores the future of port-industrial towns in upstate new york, featuring ‘pioneer district’, a prototypical solution based within poughkeepsie. adapting to 21st century innovation has proven difficult for these regional cities, struggling to provide basic services within today’s low-carbon economies. a component of a larger plan being developed called the ‘building exhibition hudson valley/erie canal 2014-2024’, the collection of designs and strategies by students attempts to attract creative talent, businesses, tourism to generate competition between towns, businesses or civic groups over a 10-year period.

the ‘pioneer district’ is an urban development within a large quarry providing space to host industrial, commercial and housing growth, transforming poughkeepsie into a polycentric community with regional and global reach. due to the current state of limited financial and environmental resources, the city must draw upon the pioneering spirit, offering dense urban spaces designed for interactivity and collaborative experimentation. the projects provide solutions to catalyze economic development with interactive institutions and infrastructure for by generating an entrepreneurial society.

city of exchange by jeffrey autore