What does it mean to lay claim to public space, when in fact public space is privately owned?

Public Stages is a proposed not-for-profit organization who would work with Private Developers, Government entities and other non-profit and community groups to create and maintain public spaces in the city. Our mission is to create openly accessible urban spaces that allow for greater public claim, by negotiating site ownership with program and accessibility.

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PlaNYC 2030: Population is increasing, as well as the need for more open spaces. As virtually every part  of out city grows, one piece remains fixed: our supply of land. The plan addresses the increasing need for open spaces, with no reference to public spaces or issues of accessibility and ownership. Recent proliferation of privately owned public spaces suggests a solution, meeting the increasing needs using private land or capital. What do we, as the urban public using those spaces, stand to lose?

The non-profit mechanism is demonstrated through 4 case studies that are all currently under development pressures and questions of ownership that are manifested differently in each site.