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The Columbia University Chinatown Studio was asked by the Rebuild Chinatown Initiative to conduct a major study of the neighborhood. We undertook analysis of the area’s economy, social, physical and housing characteristics to form a better understanding of Chinatown today.
Chinatown supports an incredibly diverse economy, and a constant flow of new immigrants provides the neighborhood with its economic and cultural base, making Chinatown a densely populated live-work community. However, Chinatown also faces many challenges: rising real estate prices threaten the neighborhood’s economy as well as its employment base; and a lack of quality affordable housing undermines this diverse community. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the security measures that followed damaged connections to the neighborhood, and its economy.
Using this information, we made a series of recommendations
for Chinatown to help create a vibrant neighborhood, with a strong and
diverse economy. Our recommendations, detailed in the studio's
final paper include ideas to help the garment industry, create additional
affordable housing, boost commerce and tourism, and make Chinatown a more
pleasant place to live, work and visit.
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