ThoughtMatter, a design studio deeply rooted in New York City, recently showcased an interactive and evocative exhibit during the NYCxDESIGN festival that delved into the question through the exhibit WHO IS NYC FOR?
And that’s a pretty good question to ask, considering that a single adult needs to make around $140,000 annually to live in the city. It’s why everyone on the internet is singing the jingle, “I’m looking for a man in finance, trust fund, 6’5, blue eyes.” However, the studio is, instead, striving to redefine NYC as a space that reflects its diverse population instead of one stereotypical subset of the population.
For those who aren’t in finance or don’t have a trust fund, New York City is offensively expensive. Beyond the insane housing prices, which are 149% higher than the national average rent prices, the city also has its own accessibility issues. Only 30% of the subway stations are wheelchair accessible, for example, and the extreme lack of personal space alone can be psychologically defeating.
