Project by Scarlett Hu, Huanghe Su, Hengyu Li
This project examines whether Privately Owned Public Spaces, or POPS, improve public space equity in Manhattan. Using spatial analysis and mapping, the research compares POPS with publicly owned public spaces to evaluate accessibility, scarcity, and patterns of public space demand. The project moves beyond the legal definition of POPS and asks whether these spaces function as meaningful parts of Manhattan’s broader public space network. By mapping their distribution in relation to population, employment, and areas with limited publicly owned public space, the analysis identifies where POPS may help fill spatial gaps and where they may mainly reflect private real estate development patterns. The goal is to assess the planning value of POPS and understand whether they contribute to a more equitable distribution of everyday public space in Manhattan.
