Giving New Life

cirilomartineziii

Feb 6, 2019

1 min read

Originally designed to reclaim part of a disused elevated railway line, the High Line public park, designed by New York firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro in partnership with landscape architects James Corner Field Operations and Piet Oudolf, has become one of New York's most popular public attractions and an icon of contemporary landscape architecture.

Drawing from multiple disciplines such as landscape architecture, urban design, and ecology, the abandoned railroad spur has been redesigned as a elevated linear park, green way

, and rail trail. Because of its declining usage, the railway was abandoned in 1980. Re-purposing the railway into an urban park began in 2006, with the first development opening in 2009.

The High Line's success has inspired cities throughout the United States to re-purpose unused infrastructure as revitalized public spaces. The project has aroused real estate development in bordering neighborhoods, increasing real-estate values along the route in an example of the halo effect. The park has over five million visitors annually and inspires future designers who aspire to create a more sustainable world.