The Municipal Art Society of New York

Each week we will bring you news on issues related to New York City’s livability. Feel free to comment or post a link to other interesting articles about our city.

After last week’s very successful Summit for New York City, we at MAS are glad to see the conversation about livability continuing throughout the media. In this article, Grist speaks with Secretary of the Department of Transportation Ray LaHood, who has become a great supporter of the concept of livable communities.

On The Transport Politic blog, Yonah Freeman analyzes Governor Christie’s cancellation of the ARC high speed transit tunnel between New York and New Jersey, and discusses alternatives to expand and improve New Jersey’s transit system.

Hazel Borys, of Placemakers, looks at the connection between a city’s livability and they happiness of its residents.

The City Council has approved rezoning for the West and East villages, as well as Clinton and the Hudson Yards. The new zoning laws include restrictions on zoning bonuses, the height of new developments, and renovations to multi-family buildings. (Crain’s & The Wall Street Journal)

The Parks Department has proposed a $7.5 million makeover of the Coney Island boardwalk, which would replace the boardwalk’s wooden slabs with concrete and faux wood. The Daily News reports that locals are not happy.