Regional Overview
New York City is one of the most socially, politically, and economically influential places in all of the world. From the time it was a pristine wilderness prior to European settlement, to its modern existence as one of the worlds mega cities, New York City has evolved to become a world Mecca of history, business, and philosophy. The geographic location and physical features of Manhattan facilitated the city to grow into a metropolis that inspires the urban development of the rest of the world.
The island of Manhattan has been completely molded by humans over the last few hundred years. Before Dutch settlement, Manhattan had a wealth of biological diversity greater than any of the business conducted on Wall Street in a given day. In its hey-day it hosted ecology more diverse than national parks revered today such as Yellowstone and Yosemite.(Sanderson) As the island began to be settled the landscape of New York City began to form. As a center of ship building and fur trading the city began to grow and thrive in the new world.
The city of New York is the financial capitol of the world. From the beginning Manhattan served as an important stop for the ship building industry and fur trade. Manhattan also served as an important military position for the Dutch colonies. It is however, the industrial revolution that transformed Manhattan into economically one of the most important places in the world. The rise of manufacturing led to the unbridled growth of many cities not only across the nation but across the world. New York was the pinnacle of industrial growth. Massive amounts of consumer goods were able to be produced and shipped from the same place, making New York a perfect place to station a business.(New York City) Connected to the Midwest by the Erie Canal the city was the link between the east coast and precious natural resources that fed the growth of manufacturing..
With the fall of manufacturing across the northeastern United States many business’ fled New York City and headed either west or to foreign countries. This vacuum was filled by the influx of business. Many of the worlds corporations are centered in New York.(New York City) The New York Stock Exchange is the worlds capitol for conducting business which brings in economic interest from nations across the globe. New York also sees massive amounts of tourism. People from countries across the world come to see the skyscrapers that dominate the New York skyline. Carnegie Hall, Rockefeller Center, Madison Square Garden, and Yankee Stadium are all venues which attract throngs of people from across the world.
Throughout its history New York City has seen the influx of a vast array of different peoples from different places. The Native Americans who inhabited the island found it a plentiful source of all the natural resources needed to survive. After settlement by Europeans the majority of peoples fled from their native countries in search of social and economic opportunity. People from just about everywhere on Earth have come to New York City in search of a new start to life, from eastern Europe, western Europe, the
middle east, Asia, and Latin America. People from all over the world and from all religions have come and faced their share of discrimination and struggle to try and succeed in America.
Works Cited
"New York City." The History Channel website. Feb 20, 2012. http://www.history.com/topics/new-york-city
Sanderson, Eric. "Mannahatta: A Natural History of New York City." New York: Abrams 2009. Print
Environmental
Annotated Links:
This is
the home website for NYCWasteLess, a resource for information on recycling,
reducing waste, and composting for individuals, businesses, and social
institutions. The about page shows how the project is
funded and provides multiple links to other resources within the website and
programs with which the NYCWasteLess is associated with. The recycle more page provides specific
guidelines on what to recycle and how to recycle and there is also similar
pages like it associated with composting and waste reduction. Laws and directory shows various laws
and at local and national levels and shows various political, social, and
environmental contacts. The events page provides a calendar for
various community events.
GrowNYC is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving quality of life in NYC on a community level through environmental programs dealing with air quality, traffic, food access, and recycling. The about page describes the organizations mission statement and links to various projects with whom they are associated. The Greenmarket section of the site describes the network of farmers markets within the city. It also supplies links to FAQs, events, and newsletters to markets within the Greenmarket network. The gardens section shows various community garden projects within the city and describes value of urban open and green spaces.
This
is the official website of Central Park. The about page provides a historical description of central park and
past efforts of its conservation. The maps page provides an interactive map of Central Park, which
lets you choose different features in the park to be displayed or hidden. Planning, Design, and Construction list of projects such as landscaping and renovations done
to the park, including the year they were completed. The site is published by
the Central Park Conservancy, so it has a lot of info about maintenance and
restoration of the park. There is also a calendar section which shows the dates of different events
occurring in the park.
This
website is within the nyc.gov portal, copyright owned by the City of New York.
The about us has
information on the programs mission statement and links to various aspects such
as news, employment opportunities, awards, and plans. There is an app on the
site called Zola (Zoning
and Land use), which is an interactive map that displays all the zoning
districts in the area and other information such as water access, land use,
environmental requirements, etc. If you click on any area on the map it will
bring you to a page on the nyc.gov portal that displays relevant info on the
district such as building requirements and regulations, housing quality, etc.
This site is very useful when researching land use.
The Prospect Park Alliance
This is the home website for Prospect Park and the Prospect Park Alliance. The visit section of the site provides links to park functions, events, and an interactive park map which displays a GIS map of all important locations of the park including barbeque areas, first aid, monuments, parking and many more. The support section provides various way you can volunteer and donate to the park and contacts to key figures. The environment page shows a brief park history and provides links to pages regarding geology, water features, and park wildlife.
This page provides contact information for every environmental organization and community organization with an environmental focus within the five borough of the city. Helpful if researching where to access information on community projects, events, and project funding sources.
Economic Annotated
Links:
This website is the home site of the New York Economic Development Corporation (NYEDC). As shown in the mission statement the company’s intentions are to provide assistance to economic development to New York City, whether it be in the form of management, development aid, and economic support. The site contains case studies of all the current economic development project the NYEDC is currently involved with.63 The economic data section of the site provides a monthly snapshot of key economic aspects in the city such as employment, wage gaps, and a real estate and construction figures.
This website is an advocacy group for the homeless citizens of New York City. The basic facts section of the site provides the statistical data of the homeless populations of New York City. The site shows multiple programs to assist homeless citizens of the city such as job training, youth services, housing assistance, and crisis services. The get help section offers resource information for homeless individuals and families to receive support. The Coalition for the Homeless accepts donations in its quest to provide support to the homeless of New York City.
The New York City Investment Fund is a private fund with the
sole purpose of investing in the progression of the New York City community.
The about page displays the overall
mission statement and other information such as board of director members and a
list of investors. The portfolio
section of the site shows a list of the different investments that the New York
City Investment Fund has made into the local communities across the city. The sector groups + volunteers show the
various sectors of the economy the fund os investing in such as clean energy,
information technology, health care, media and communications, and recreation
and tourism.
The New York City Accelerator for a Clean Renewable Economy
(NYCAcre) is a organization that assists businesses with the transition to low
carbon future. The about
page shows all the informational aspects of the organization including its
headquarter location and also describes key components of its process and
mission. The portfolio
section shows a list of the current partnerships that (NYCArce) is currently
working with and describes different aspects of their development, including a
link the each companies website. You can see the criteria and apply for support
from NYAcre in the apply
section of the website.
The Center for an Urban Future is a public policy
organization involved in the betterment of the health and well-being of the NYC
urban society and economy. The about page describes the workings of
the organization which includes research of the economy, child welfare,
education, work force development, and criminal justice. The reports section of the website shows
all the quantitative and qualitative research conducted by the organization and
gives PDF links. The commentaries section shows all current
publish documents in relevance to research that the organization has conducted.
The site offers a vast source of information to conflicts to development across
the span of the entire city.
Social Annotated
Links:
This site is the homepage for the Dept of Education in NYC,
which is the largest system of public schools in the Unites States. The about page describes information regarding
NYC public schools and provides links to useful
information, funding, and various other resources.
The enrollment page shows various links to
child enrollment in Pre-k, kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high schools
throughout NYC. There are also various links to Rules and Policies, Student Support, and Performance and Accountability. The partnerships section shows connections
to various community organizations.
This website is “new citywide initiative designed to address
neighborhood hot spots and eyesores.” This initiative, “puts low-level
offenders to work repairing conditions of disorder throughout New York City.”
The about page describes various aspects
of the project and describes the social importance of cleaning up the city and
past projects. The photos
page shows before and after pictures of projects which focus on garbage
removal, graffitti removal, and containment of sidewalk shrubbery. There are
also separate links to information respective to the boroughs of the city.
This is the home page for the Citizens Committee for New
York City, which is an organization that supports neighborhood groups and
social development within the city. The about
page describes aspect of the organizations mission and association with
grassroots organizations. The Grants
and Resources page has videos regarding grants and
rewards to various community projects. News and
Events provides update on past projects, future projects,
and media connections. You can also donate
to the organization.
This website is the homepage for the United Way of New York
City. The our work
section shows various facts regarding poverty within the city and describes
past projects the organization has been involved with. The about page describes the mission
statement and provides links to partner organizations, board of directors, annual reports, and other various
information resources. The ways
to give page shows how you can support the organization
whether it be through monetary investment or time investment.
This site is a part of the greater NYC Tourist web site, which provides resources
towards facilitating the tourist experience of New York City. The page provides
contacts to government agencies, community organizations, and tourist oriented
businesses. The tourist is a substantial piece of the social atmosphere and
embodies the way the world views New York City.
