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

The speaker shares a personal journey from family history in New York City to discovering a unique underground site. This led to the creation of the Lowline project, aiming to transform an abandoned trolley terminal into a green space using innovative solar technology. The project seeks to address the lack of green areas in a crowded neighborhood, engaging the community and offering a year-round respite. The speaker envisions reclaiming urban spaces to make communities more beautiful and just.

What inspired the speaker to think about creating an underground park in New York City?

• Their grandparents' stories about Italy

• The lack of green spaces in New York City

• Their fascination with New York's history and their family's immigrant story

• A childhood dream of becoming an architect

What was the speaker's initial career path before focusing on the Lowline project?

• A job with UNICEF in Kenya

• A career in technology at Google

• A position in a local non-profit organization

• Working as a city planner in New York

What was the original function of the site that the speaker and James Ramsey discovered?

• An underground shopping mall

• A subway station

• A trolley terminal

• A historical museum

How does the Lowline plan to bring sunlight underground?

• Using artificial lighting systems

• Harvesting sunlight above the street and directing it below

• Installing solar panels on the surface

• Using mirrors to reflect sunlight

What nickname did the Lowline project receive due to its concept?

• The High Line Underground

• The Lowline

• The Hidden Garden

• The Underground Oasis

What is the primary goal of the Lowline project in terms of community impact?

• To create a tourist attraction

• To increase property values in the area

• To add a football field of green space and focus on community-driven development

• To build a new commercial center

How does the speaker relate the Lowline project to their family's legacy?

• By continuing the tradition of building new structures

• By reclaiming and reimagining existing spaces

• By focusing on technological advancements

• By preserving historical buildings