SVU-NY Promotes Sustainable Urban Planning at NYU: reSITE Lecture

by Suzanna Halsey

The Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences NY (SVU NY) partnered with the New York University's Department of Art History, Urban Design and Architecture Studies in order to open a discussion on better urban planning and quality of life in Czech cities. On February 7, architect Martin Barry, Associate at W Architecture & Landscape Architecture in New York and Founding Director of reSITE in Prague, presented an inspiring lecture 'reSITE: Collaborative Ideas for More Livable Cities'.

After an introduction by Alex Washburn, Head of the NYC Planning Department, Martin Barry talked about his work as a Fulbright Scholar 2011/2012 in the Czech Republic where he taught at the Technical University in Prague and at Masaryk University in Brno. He observed the lack of communication and collaboration between numerous NGOs and governmental institutions in Prague regarding urban planning and public spaces design. He noted that the Landscape Architecture Schools do not teach courses on design of public spaces. This inspired him to start - with other young Czech enthusiasts - the reSITE, a nonprofit organization to function as a catalyst for change in the urban planning strategies in Prague and the Czech Republic, to focus on public space and sustainability as a means to a city that can compete regionally.  The second reSITE Festival and Conference will take place in June 2013 with international expert speakers and presenters to share their know-how and experience from their cities. 

Suzanna Halsey is vice-president and event producer of The Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences NY. She also administers Friends of Czech Greenways organization in NYC and teaches Czech language at New York University where she develops an incipient program Czech House NYU to bring more awareness about Czech intellectual history.