The Forum draws connections between Omnibus content and current events at the intersection of design and the built environment of New York, plus other stuff worth knowing about: news, opinions, feature follow-ups, and reports from the field.
DIVIDED OVER DISTRICT LINES
Several Asian-American groups in Queens have criticized the fact that the existing State Senate and Assembly districts split a cohesive Asian-American community along the border of Queens and Nassau counties. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, “identifying communities and keeping them whole are among the most important goals for the… 
Elisha Otis moved to Yonkers, New York in 1852 to convert an abandoned sawmill into a bed frame factory. Endless trips hauling debris from floor to floor gave the tinkerer a challenge: wasn’t there a better way? With the help of his sons, Otis designed and built the first “safety elevator” to manage the task. Two years later, Otis presented his invention …
First up, a reminder: The deadline for The Unfinished Grid essay competition, our call for writing on the Manhattan street grid as paradigm, rubric or muse for urban life, is just around the corner! Submit by 5pm on Wednesday, February 1, to be considered for publication here on Urban…
This week in the Omnibus Roundup: Bloomberg’s plans for Wi-Fi and waste-to-energy; MyBlockNYC and Undercity team up; the DOT wants to help you find a parking spot; meanwhile, Congress incentivizes driving to work over taking public transportation; a skyscraper economist debunks NYC bedrock myths; The City Dark screens at
A cocktail reception, art auction and benefactors’ dinner to support Urban Omnibus. Tickets now on sale!
STATE OF THE CITY
In his second to last State of the City address, Mayor Michael Bloomberg touched on a wide range of issues, some expected — such as his commitment to merit-based pay for teachers in the public school system — and others somewhat more surprising — such as his support for…
After a two week hiatus, we’re back to wish you a happy new year — and to toast the beginning of the fourth year of Urban Omnibus!
A lot has happened in the past year, and there is a lot more coming. Our features have allowed us to explore the sweet…
HOLIDAY HIATUS
The holidays are upon us. And while we busy ourselves this week with buying urban-themed gifts for loved ones, we are also planning to take a little extra time in the first days of the new year to do some Omnibus brainstorming, housecleaning, and party-planning. So we will be back in full force on January 9th, just in time to celebrate our third birthday, preview an exciting new line-up of features, forum posts and special projects for 2012, and invite you officially to our second annual benefit party, which will take place on February 28th. Mark your calendars! And don’t forget your pens, pencils or…
PLACEMAKING THROUGH LIGHTING
The City’s plan to make Lower Manhattan more vibrant after dark goes beyond simply installing more lights. The title of the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s Request for Proposals, “Placemaking through Lighting,” explains the initiative’s priorities: to use creative illumination to enhance Lower Manhattan’s identity, to attract visitors and investment and to create a sense of place for the area…
Announcing a juried competition for essays that reflect on the Manhattan street grid as paradigm, rubric or muse for urban life, in honor of the 200th anniversary of the plan that established Manhattan’s street grid. Deadline: February 1st, 2012
