It’s official: Urban dwellings provide more sustainable and economical living spaces — not to mention better access to social opportunities — compared to suburban areas. Let’s take a look at the statistics: In the United States, less than 3 percent of the land mass is made up of urban space, yet over 85 percent of our annual gross domestic product is generated in cities. Our personal transportation systems and the design of our buildings make up 53 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions — more than industry, agriculture, planes and freightcombined.
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Efficiently designed buildings are both sustainable and cost-effective, providing tenants a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the city. Poorly designed, cramped spaces are just plain miserable — not to mention wasteful. Taking on this challenge, the Citizens Housing and Planning Council (CHPC) and the Museum of the City of New York developed the “Making Room: New Models for Housing New Yorkers” exhibition to demonstrate to the public what the possibilities of the future of urban living can (and should) be. “More space”, if designed inefficiently, does not equal “quality space.” The exhibition showcases a micro-apartment, decked out with space saving furniture with a single, young professional in mind.