The “Chinatown Connections” project, led by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), held its first street flash promotion and public opinion survey event at Kimlau Square in Manhattan’s Chinatown on April 8th (Tuesday) from 3 pm to 5 pm. The event garnered active participation from the public, with some expressing a fondness for the traditional Chinese design of the archway.
The “Chinatown Connections” project is a collaborative effort between NYCEDC, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), and the New York State Department of State, with design contributions from the Marvel Design Company. The event provided information in both Chinese and English, with translators on hand to assist. Attendees were encouraged to offer suggestions and ideas for the future revitalization of Kimlau Square and the placement of the future Chinatown archway.
Regarding the selection of the archway location, organizers displayed a map of the six-way intersection and invited attendees to mark their preferred locations or leave comments with sticky notes. Many favored Broadway as the location for the archway, while some suggested Park Row. Several residents even brought printed photos of traditional Chinese archways as design references.
For the redesign of Kimlau Square, the event featured bilingual display boards presenting around 20 design concepts under the theme “In the future at Kimlau Square, I would like to see/experience”. Concepts included gathering spaces, table and chair arrangements, lighting features, shading facilities, pavement design, and landscaping options for attendees to vote on their ideal square appearance. Many chose options like providing multi-functional spaces, setting up shade structures, and incorporating lighting art installations.
Organizers emphasized the significant community impact of the Kimlau Square redevelopment, as it would help manage traffic flow at the intersection and expand public space, enhancing pedestrian pathways and the neighborhood environment. In addition to the on-site activities, the organizers also launched an online survey simultaneously, allowing those unable to attend in person to participate.
To provide feedback on the Kimlau Square redesign, individuals could scan a QR code with their mobile phones to access the online survey page. The interface could be switched from English to Chinese for filling out opinions, taking approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete the entire process. For more information on the “Chinatown Connections” project, please visit the official website: ChinatownConnections.nyc.