Background

Previous research on neighborhood disinvestment explored how neglected environments influence community behavior and perceptions. Building on that work, I became interested in how underutilized public spaces might better support everyday community life.

Opportunity

A neighborhood plaza in Bedford-Stuyvesant served primarily as a bus stop and pedestrian corridor. While the space remained largely empty throughout the day, it became consistently populated by local teenagers after school. Rather than viewing this activity as something to manage, I questioned why this was the only meaningful use of the space and what opportunities existed to better support the community already gathering there.

Research Question

How might an underutilized public plaza better serve the young people who already use it while strengthening its role within the surrounding community?

Research

• Conducted behavioral observations across multiple days.

• Interviewed teenagers who regularly gathered in the plaza.

• Documented movement patterns, social interactions, and existing uses of the space.

• Compared observed behaviors with neighborhood literature and secondary research.

Key Insight

The plaza already functioned as an informal social hub. Teenagers were not simply waiting for transportation—they were using one of the few accessible public places available to build friendships, spend time together, and connect with their neighborhood. The design challenge was not attracting users but supporting an existing community that had adapted the space to meet its own needs.