In July 1916, New York became the first American city to adopt a radical zoning resolution to control the height, bulk, and use of its buildings, an act so unprecedented that its authors were not even sure it was legal. In the century since, zoning has become the city's most potent instrument for shaping its future.
The Zoning New York Scavenger hunt is a citywide event to uncover how the invisible forces of zoning have shaped the city around us, from the dramatic setbacks of Jazz Age skyscrapers to the vast open plazas of mid-century Modernism. The event is co-presented with Open House New York and the Museum of the City of New York in anticipation of a major exhibition celebrating the centennial of New York City's zoning resolution, Mastering the Metropolis: New York and Zoning 1916-2016, opening at the Museum of the City of New York on November 9, 2016.
"When New York passed the country's first zoning legislation a hundred years ago, it helped define the city we inhabit today," commented Gregory Wessner, executive director of Open House New York. "Most New Yorkers are unaware of how powerful zoning is, and the Zoning New York Scavenger Hunt will be a fun way to help us see the invisible forces that make New York look the way it does."
Players must register in advance, as space is limited, and may play solo or in teams of up to 6 people. One person will register for your team and will be asked to submit a team name and the names of team members.
Each team will also be required to designate one Instagram account from which they will submit photos during the course of the scavenger hunt. Only photos submitted via this account will be counted toward your team's total.
more: zoningnyscavengerhunt.eventbrite.com (154)