TED talks: A park underneath the hustle and bustle of New York City – Dan Barasch

In an informative, short TED talk, Dan Barasch explains his idea and work-in-progress to create a park the size of a football field, filled with greenery, underneath New York City – using revolutionary solar technology.

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Barasch, after leaving his job at Google, is the cofounder and executive director of Lowline. His project is the development of an underground park in the abandoned Williamsburg Bridge Trolley Terminal.

The development is in his grandmother’s old neighbourhood, inspiring him to improve the public space in an area that is highly limited with green space. After developing the underground solar technology that can trap the sun’s light and release it underground – the project was born – with the possibility for a park that can survive all seasons.

The project is spread over a one-acre area, with little impact on the street above it. It received a boost in funding on Kickstarter, and now has the means to become a reality – creating an underground green metropolis, with the possibility to inspire future underground developments in a quickly urbanising world.

Photo source:  Jason Wen via Flickr 

Further Reading:

TED talks: How to grow a tiny forest anywhere – Shubhendu Sharma

TED Talks: Can we prevent the end of the world? – Martin Rees

TED talks: your top five featured TED Talks

TED Talks: Seeds of Change – Pam Warhurst

TED talks: Stop the Rush! Why entrepreneurs should take the time to succeed – Phyllis Pierce