URBAN DESIGN STUDIO I: SUMMER -1996

Industrial Park Production Plant, Bethpage: SUBURBAN CENTRALIZATION

This site exhibits an image of a suburbanized enclave dissolving into non-distinguishable existence. It lacks any identifiable nucleus of a true city. Located approximately at the center of Long Island, NY, this project site contains the appropriate character for urbanization. The City of Bethpage is supported by a variety of infrastructures, from major highways to the Long Island Railway. Located to the north of the site is the Long Island Expressway connected to the Greater New York Region, to the east is the Seaford Oyster Bay Parkway, to the south is Southern State Parkway and bisecting the site is the Long Island Railway. At a local scale, the Industrial Park Production Plant is bounded by major roadways such as Broadway Lane and Oyster Bay Road to the west and Stewart Avenue to the east.

STRATEGY
These various axes create the perfect situation for Bethpage to become the regional urban center. Also, a study had projected Bethgage to be the next urban concentrated area due to its adjacencies with neighboring cities such as Hicksville and Levittown. Therefore, through interaction and integration of these issues, an attempt of urbanization can ignite the spirit and fabrication of Bethpage.

PROBES
In order to initiate this urban growth, a focal point in relation with the site need to be established. The primary solution is to relocate the train terminal to the center of the site, a shift dictated by the existing system of roads. Also, within the terminal are multi-purpose functions such as retail shops and restaurants supporting the users. The formation of this distinct area (which is also the first probe) will be further assisted by a bus terminal and an adjacent civic center. It is then strengthened by converting two adjacent existing buildings into a community college. Next, this center is connected by an existing runway that functions as an armature of mixed-used areas leading toward a local school at the southern end of the site. In addition, the armature is interrupted at the south end by an urban axis of commercial activities which is also (the location of the second probe). In addition, the nature of this interruption creates a mixture of activities from pedestrian related to vehicular movements and the mass transportation linkage of the bus service system; it is also the termination of the mixed-use areas and a transition into a neighborhood park. While at the northern end, the civic center is linked to a park and Bethpage High School by creating an east-west axis.

PROJECT EFFECT
The main purpose of this strategy is to create an urban center which will eventually generate growth toward integration and diversification with surrounding neighboring cities. The progress of phasing by creating more commercial activities and housing will hopefully fulfill the character of urbanization . Through the process of interaction and linkage, Bethpage will become the supporting center for this region.