As rates of homelessness reach peaks since the Great Depression in New York,As rates of homelessness in New York reach peak levels since the Great Depression, the city must respond quickly to alleviate the burdens of some of its most vulnerable residents. Simultaneously, the dire shortage of public services in the city creates barriers for all. With 16 restrooms per 100,000 people, and only two open 24/7, NYC ranks 93 out of 100 of the nation’s largest cities for public restrooms per capita. The “Comfort Stations”, as they are referred to, are extremely costly and time intensive to build, ranging anywhere from $3-6 million. For many, these are spaces that offer the basic daily necessities of human life and dignity. How can public spaces better serve the public, especially for those who lack access to private space? Hospitality Hubs offer that solution while counteracting the hostile architecture and culture that prevails across the city. They demonstrate how spaces of joy and wonder can alleviate suffering and offer a meaningful escape for people in the city to truly relieve themselves in more ways than one; merging public restrooms, showers, baths, community gardens, and rest stops into a typology that can be discovered across NY public parks.
