Trouble! In Prospect Heightsengaging a community in development discussions

an urban intervention project designed and facilitated by

Ashlee Tuttleman and Brandon Fischer

Conflict: Ratnerization.

Atlantic Yards. Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. Atlantic Ave and Flatbush.

By invoking eminent domain, the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) and Ratner Enterprises have begun a process of displacement and encroachment upon locals and businesses in the Prospect Heights area. By Sept. 2012, 16 high-rises, a basketball stadium, hotels, office buildings and 1 housing complex is expected to be completed that will involve the use of a projected $4 billion public dollars. Construction began in March 2010. As of now, there has been no attempt at a community-based needs assessment or similar exercise. We seek to change that, if only a bit.

Here be Ratner, lo

okin’ fly.

aaahh dayum, he gone brought the rats with him …

Crimes Against Humanity,

Article 7.2.d

”Deportation or ´forcible transfer of population’ means forced

displacement of the persons concerned by expulsion or other

coercive acts from the area in which they are lawfully present…”

Eminent Domain

Eminent domain is an exercise of the power of government or

quasi-government agencies (such as airport authorities,

highway commissions, community development agencies, and

utility companies) to take private property for public use.

Sometimes these entities may propose to use their eminent

domain authority to take public housing property.

Our Point of Departure.

Who determines how public land is used? More importantly, how are they held accountable?

Source: Develop Don’t Destroy (worth looking into)http://www.developdontdestroy.org/php/latestnews_ArchiveDate.php

Intervention Iteration I.

“Planning’s pretence to facilitate the social and economic improvement of an abstract ‘public’ has long been ignored, and physical development now largely manifests itself as the executive arm of a geopolitical strategic or market-driven agenda. Large scale development […] responds to political and market demands by displacing huge populations across national space […] act as a form of spatial exclusion – creating wedges that separate the habitat of a population of citizens marked as political ‘outsiders.’”

Eyal Weizman, The Evil Architects Do: Crimes of Urbicide and the Built Environment

V.01 25 APRIL 2011 13.00H

AIM:

Intervene in the lives of Prospect Heights residents. Transect their walk. Provoke.

TARGET:

Prospect Heights street amblers, lingerers and restaraunteurs

MATERIALS:

1. Lg White Board

2. Markers

3. Camera(s)

4. Signage

PROMPT:

I love Prospect Heights because _____,

But it could be better if _______.

BAM! Intervention site

Research site

Prospect Heights

Atlantic Yards

I love Prospect Heights because _______.

But it could be better if ______.

Our quandary:What’s all this

Plz ask during story time (Highline).

business bout?

InterventionIteration II.

In the form of Trouble! and some drank

“[…] it is necessary to develop processual, participatory and hence communications-based types of plans (collaborative planning). […] it has to be transparent enough to be monitored by the public. Therefore, the forces of civil society should be encouraged to participate; they need to be regarded as an important corrective to the planning process. The key to all of this is communication: public debate and to be stimulated, with the assistance of local media. Public campaigns should also stimulate active participation and provide opportunities for people to get involved.”

Kai Vockler, Architecture of Peace: Politics of Architecture

V.02 06 MAY 2011 16.00H

AIM:

Intervene in the lives of Prospect Heights residents. Incite contemplation and discussion.

MATERIALS:

I.Trouble Board GameII.Informational FlyersIII.Mixers – Clamato, Pomegranate Juice, Lemon JuiceIV.2 CamerasV.Drank (theirs)

ACTORS:

AshleeBrandonMama Suzi

SITE:

Washington Commons, a drinking establishment deep in the heart of Prospect Heights, BK

DESIGN.

Resident Pool.Here lie the homes of each of our new friends.

They were particularly representative of the white teachers and social workers of America.

Their responses, you ask?

QOTD: “What’s your cracker ass up to tonight?” txt sent to Malda, one of our test subjects

But wait, there’s more!

Patience, child .. it will come at the Highline. (Potentially)

BAM!

What could have been done differentlyw/ Iteration 2

VS.

W/ SAME INTERVENTION MODEL

Penetrate more diverse circles.

Install an undercover camera in Brandon’s purse (the subjects were frightened).

Arrange to visit multiple demographically diverse bars.

Costume / character persona.

Input from canines and small children.

Add Tabasco.

BALLS TO THE WALL

Get a space. Set up an installation.

Media coverage.

Sponsorship.

Involve the cohort of organizations with Develop Don’t Destroy.

Understand, don’t apologize.

Go to the source. Project + Amplify.

Beirut Parallel:Mar Mikhaelas an entry point into the study of appropriation of land and displacement in Beirut Shukran,

Rudy!