Coney Island: Planning Nostalgic Spaces

People/Organizations

Themes

This 2004 study evaluates two recent public initiatives for the redevelopment of Coney Island--the construction of Keyspan Park and the creation of the CIDC. It undertakes this evaluation considering both economic growth and social justice. Thus, beyond looking at economic impact, this analysis examines the applicability of the various criticisms generally levied against tourism redevelopment. These relate to questions of stratification, exclusion, standardization, and authenticity.

With respect to the stadium, which has been operational for several years, the study focuses on the planning process that led to its construction and on the impacts of its operation. With regard to the CIDC, which began its efforts only a few months prior to this writing, the study looks at its composition and at the goals by which it has defined the problems of Coney Island and laid a tentative roadmap for the redevelopment of the area.

The central questions guiding the study's evaluation are: Who benefits? Who pays? And who has a say? These questions explore the extent to which this redevelopment conforms to democratic processes and yields democratic results. They also implicate the fundamental political consideration of who should have a say in the determination of Coney Island�s future.