bjarke ingels group (BIG), working alongside WXY architecture, has revealed conceptual plans to overhaul brooklyn?s downtown core with public realm, streetscape, and green infrastructure improvements. largely focused on the pedestrian experience, the vision has been described as a ?playful environment? where residents, workers, and visitors can congregate and enjoy being outdoors. the project draws upon the district?s existing condition to propose settings that seek to be greener and safer for both pedestrians and cyclists.

all images courtesy of downtown brooklyn partnership
 
 
to develop the proposal, BIG and WXY worked closely with downtown brooklyn partnership ? a non-profit organization. geared around establishing a sense of place and identity, the action plan seeks to find solutions for the site?s existing issues, which include disorienting street grid connections, inactive streets at night, congestion, gaps in the bike network, and a lack of green and open spaces.
 
 
the plan?s recommendations include pedestrianizing downtown brooklyn?s core by reducing vehicular access and reorienting streets to prioritize foot traffic. this would also involve the creation of safer pedestrian crossings. the amount of bike lanes would also be increased, while the implementation of one-way bus traffic on fulton street is designed to improve the efficiency of public transport.

 
 
the addition of new parks and plazas would be complemented by the redesign of the site?s exist...