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As residents of New York City and future urban planners, we have been observing and analyzing the impact of COVID-19 on the public realm. Inching towards recovery from a global pandemic forces us to rethink the way we navigate shared spaces. Meanwhile, insufficient sidewalk widths lead us to reimagine our streetscapes to comply with physical distancing protocols. How we plan for post-pandemic public space will undoubtedly affect social interactions and economic revival across the city. This report – the culmination of our Urban Planning Studio at Columbia University’s Graduate
School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation – addresses the aforementioned issues within the Meatpacking Business Improvement District. Once home to the meat packing industry, it is now among the most cherished and visited neighborhoods of NYC. Today, this commercial hub’s sources of income are jeopardized, as well as its vibrant social scene that makes the area so attractive.