On Grist.org, an environmental publication, Brooklynite Sarah Goodyear reports on the negative effects that the Gowanus Expressway has had on the South Brooklyn area. She references a video produced by the American Society of Landscape Architects (featured above) as way of illustrating how one could rejuvenate communities near large roadways. Take a look at her article and her solutions here: Repairing our broken cities by transforming infrastructure

The video from the American Society of Landscape Architects also highlights a way of redesigning the Gowanus Canal to connect the local community:

“…vacant industrial sites and polluted waterways are drains on the local community. However, old water infrastructures provides an opportunity for creating outdoor public spaces and restoring the local eco systems.”

In the video one can clearly see how the Canal could be transformed into a vibrant public space. The problem with such solutions is that despite it’s appearance, many of the buildings near the Gowanus Canal are still being used by industrial businesses. These businesses have been around for a very long time and provides a service the New York City area. Moving them for a real estate boom is not only bad for the businesses involved, but just transports the pollution these businesses create to another community. Working with these business to help them become ‘Green’ is the only way to create a symbiosis between a growing residential area and a very old industrial zone. Gowanus does not want to lose it’s industry. Gowanus wants to be known for it’s ingenuity in industry.