We were at the 'crossroads of the world' today: the Times Square, which is a hub of public private partnerships. Our plan included 3 lectures from 3 different organizations around (and about) the Times Square and two student guided presentations that took place in Soho and East Village. The lectures were somehow gave me the feeling that one by one they were helping us to unlayer governance relations and showing us how different actors are connected to each other.
The first lecture was organized by Times Square Alliance, which is a BID (Business Improvement District). It is a PPP responsible for the economic development organization of the Times Square. They provide sanitary services, security services, capital improvements, business attraction, and neighborhood promotions. They simply make sure that 'the show goes on'. Some years ago people would be afraid to come to the Times Square (due to crime, drugs, prostitution, etc) but this BID has been working on changing the perception of the area. They succeeded very well. Today millions of people go to Times Square. Safety issue being solved, the BID focused on the creation of the comfortable and pedestrian-friendly public spaces. The pedestrian areas and biking lanes were created and decorated with cozy street furniture. Today you can sit in the middle of the Times Square on the chairs and tables and use free Wi-Fi services thanks to the BID'
s arrangement.
The Times Square is a glorious place with amazing Broadway shows, colorful advertisements, and its tourist crowd. You will see happy people enjoying their time in this energetic place. However, the other side of the coin is not very much visible if you walk around. I'm talking about poverty and homelessness. The second organisation that we visited today was dealing with this hidden aspect. Common Ground (check them out at http://www.commonground.org/) is a not-for-profit organization that not only provides affordable housing for homeless and poor people but also support them with social services so that they can be again the part of the society. I think the visit to their property on the 43rd street was an eye opener to most of us. This once upon a time luxurious hotel went into trouble and almost completely 
ruined before the Common Ground took it over and renovated. Now it is permanent home for hundreds of homeless people who are carefully taken care by the Common Ground and other organisations that are working closely to the Common Ground to make sure that people are not only off the street but are also having a chance in life again to be connected to the society, have jobs, have health and other supportive services. They can live here as long as they want to. And we were told that some of them have new lives, got married and moved out to have a better life. This is not the only property of the Common Ground but most certainly the most interesting one in this historical building right in the middle of Times Square. No surprise to hear that a lot of artists of the Broadway, went into trouble and poverty and ended up here as well. It was a very touching experience to be there to listen this amazing story and to walk around.
We moved on to our third and final lecture destination of the day to another not-for-profit organization, TDF, which provides services for completely different purposes in the Times Square area. TDF, Theater Development Fund, plays an important role in the cultural industry of NYC. TDF aims to give support to theatrical works, including financial support, and to enable diverse audiences to attend theater and shows. They support Broadway Theaters and make sure that tickets are sold. If you pay attention to what is below the popular red stairs which are located in the middle of the Times Square you will notice the ticket booth which is operated by TDF. Yes, it is that place where you can buy theater tickets in the last minute for a much cheaper price. TDF also subsidizes housing for young artists and tries to prevent gentrification.
Just looking on Times Square you may think it is one big colorful show. Looking to just three different but connected organizations work, we've learned today that governance is a complex concept. Having finished the lectures the presentation teams took us to their neighborhoods. I joined Rob van der Vaart's team this time and went to Soho to participate the guided tour of Christina Bellmann and Sophia Gunkel. Our tour started at the streets of Soho where fantastic cast-iron buildings are
located. Lots of artists live and work in these houses and you can definitely notice the rapidly changing scene there due to the gentrification. Because of the cast-iron technology buildings with larger windows and higher ceilings could be built, giving the artists large spaces with good light to work. Walking through these streets we then moved into the Little Italy and then to the China Town. What a change of the scene! Our walk ended with delicious famous Ferrara gelato. Well-done Christina and Sophia...
And we called the day off and met Jan van Weesep at the East Village to enjoy delicious sushi before we hit the road back to Brooklyn.
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