Student: Junyi Li, Master of Urban Science, at the Center of Urban Science + Progress at the Tandon School of Engineering.
Advisors: Dr. Zhaoxi Zhang, Faculty Fellow in the Center of Urban Science + Progress at the Tandon School of Engineering and Dr. Tamir Mendel, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Technology of Management and Innovation, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York University.
Project Abstract: Sidewalk sheds in New York City, a common sight due to ongoing construction and maintenance, have been shown to negatively impact local businesses significantly. Research indicates that businesses located in buildings with sidewalk sheds experience a monthly decrease in spending by Mastercard cardholders ranging from $3,900 to $9,500. In response to this issue, the “Get Sheds Down” initiative aims to redesign these structures to be less obtrusive and more visually appealing. This study evaluates the physical impact of these sheds on local businesses, identifies design components that influence pedestrian behavior and potentially reduce customer foot traffic, and proposes design recommendations for future sidewalk sheds. To enhance urban governance and design, we also explore the use of generative AI to enable stakeholders to gather and integrate public feedback. Our research leverages an AI-based chatbot and an integrated photo manipulation tool to collect public opinions. This innovative tool, an interactive website with responsive urban agents, has potential to become a smart city platform for the governor, designer and public to manage the entire cycle of public space from design, construction to operation in the future.
Pictures from the demo survey:
- Zhaoxi Zhang: Zhaoxi.Zhang@nyu.edu
- Junyi Li: jl14864@nyu.edu