The Green Space Connections project is creating and activating community-designed open space at four NYCHA public housing developments with and for 14,000 residents in Brooklyn and the Bronx. To amplify the lessons of the program and empower a wider reach of New York public housing residents, Green Space Connections will produce a practical design and resources guide for non-profit organizations and resident leaders to navigate the process of bringing open space projects to their communities. 

The Design Trust for Public Space is collaborating with the Public Housing Community Fund and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to foster Connected Communities at public housing campuses. 

The four sites were selected due to their documented high-need in health indicators, as well as climate vulnerability. Through participatory design workshops and outreach events, residents have voted on what outdoor spaces they want to see in their neighborhood to enhance quality of life and wellness.

This project has further demonstrated how NYCHA communities have an unprecedented opportunity to realize self-directed open space improvements. In response, Green Space Connections is creating a practical design guide for resident leaders and non-profit leaders. This resource will categorize common open space improvement needs at NYCHA and identify contextual standards for success. Ultimately, the toolkit will leverage the growing access to financial resources and the ability for public-private partnerships to deliver these improvements with greater efficacy, greatly expanding and expediting the scale of these projects across the city.

Meet the Green Space Connections project fellows who will bring this toolkit to life:

Nicole Vlado Torres, AIA, NOMA | Policy & Planning Fellow

Nicole is a registered architect committed to enhancing the quality and experience of public space and the built environment. She believes that collaboration and community engagement are critical to the successful execution of projects and enjoys working closely with clients and creative teams on architectural and site-specific projects. As a Principal of Shakespeare Gordon Vlado Architects, Nicole devoted special focus to the firm’s substantial body of work in affordable housing, including the design of over 1,200 units for families, seniors, and formerly unhoused New Yorkers. She has also dedicated her career to improving the practice of architecture through her active roles as co-chair of the AIANY Housing Committee, the nycoba NOMA Professional Development Committee, and as a professional mentor for the ARCscholars program. Nicole was a 2022 92Y Women inPower Fellow and participated in the 2023 AIANY's Civic Leadership Program.

Blake Roberts | Communications & Design Fellow

Blake is an art director, designer, and urbanist with more than ten years of experience in creative strategy, human-centered design, design research, and community engagement. He received his MA Theories of Urban Practice from Parsons, The New School and his BFA Graphic Design from the Columbus College of Art & Design. His design and community engagement work spans from brand development to collaborative, prototyping design practices. Blake’s approach to design and participation in community-driven projects centers on shared equity building that realizes experienced, positive change for urban communities. He brings an appreciation for utility, admiration for beauty, and a pursuit of empathy to his work.

Welcome to the team, Blake and Nicole!