The Municipal Art Society of New York is appealing to the public to raise awareness about one of New York’s best kept secrets. From MAS, ” Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS) account for 80 acres of open space in some of the most congested neighborhoods in the city, the result of a bargain that gave developers the right to build larger and higher if they create public assets at the street level. But too few New Yorkers know a POPS when they see one, and these cherished spaces often go underutilized in the very neighborhoods where they could make the biggest difference. Along with our partner Jerold Kayden, MAS currently maps and monitors POPS across New York City on our Advocates for POPS (APOPS) site. We’re ready to add more than 70 new POPS to the page, but we need photos for them—from you! Help your fellow New Yorkers identify and enjoy these public assets the way they were intended by sending us your photograph (mobile phone images are fine!) from any of the POPS locations listed here. ”
About MAS: As a non-profit advocacy organization, MAS mobilizes diverse allies to focus on issues that affect our city from sidewalk to skyline. Through three core campaign areas, MAS protects New York’s legacy spaces, encourages thoughtful planning and urban design, and fosters inclusive neighborhoods across the five boroughs.
The Center for Applied Liberal Arts is joining efforts to bring attention to NYC history and geography through its regular program of open enrollment courses, and now also by educating community organizers, architects, real estate professionals, and the public in the complex processes and regulations of historic preservation. In Spring 2019, it is launching the Certificate in Historic Preservation with the course, Understanding Traditional Architecture, taught by historian and advocate Francis Morrone.
To celebrate the launch, Francis is highlighting interesting examples of religious architecture in a free public lecture, Catholic Architecture in New York City, This Thursday at 6pm, at 7 E. 12th Street, Room 321. He will take you behind the scenes on preservation efforts of these sights and also answer any questions you may have about the preservation Certificate.