1. Constantly Evaluate and Communicate Value Created for all Stakeholders
This is arguably the most critical tactic. Creating value for all stakeholders is central: accelerating deployment protects civilization from climate risks; urban responses strengthen city resilience; NYC gains a powerful economic engine; taxpayers enjoy lower costs; residents benefit from cleaner air and less congestion; property owners see higher demand; and companies unlock growth through a thriving carbon-zero cluster.
Stakeholders for a cluster include Property Owners, Corporations, Residents, and Others to the Carbon Zero Cluster. Highlight the financial upsides for property owners—rising property values and new demand. For corporations, emphasize revenue growth, sustainability leadership, and brand enhancement. Showcase quality-of-life improvements for residents and how participation drives innovation, boosts reputation, and aligns with global climate goals. Position the cluster as a win-win: driving economic growth, revitalizing the neighborhood, and tackling urgent environmental challenges.
| SAMPLE STAKEHOLDERS (INEXHAUSTIVE) |
|---|
| Taxpayer— Results in less wear and tear on roads. More jobs. Expanded economic opportunity. Safer. |
| Property Owners— Play a critical role in transforming FiDi by investing in renovations, sustainability upgrades, and converting commercial spaces into residential or mixed-use properties. |
| Corporations— Contribute to FiDi’s transformation by supporting economic growth, adopting sustainable practices, and fostering innovation in the area through partnerships and investments. |
| Residents— Drive demand for amenities, less polution, green spaces, and services, influencing the development of a more livable, sustainable, and vibrant community in FiDi. |
| Non Governmental Organizations— Advocate for environmental, social, and economic policies, helping ensure the transformation aligns with sustainable and inclusive development goals. |
| Local Government— Sets regulations, provides infrastructure, and offers incentives for sustainable development, playing a key role in shaping FiDi’s transformation. Supports large-scale infrastructure projects, offers funding and incentives, and helps set overarching policies that guide the transformation of FiDi. |
2. Decouple Elements
to Ensure Continuity
One reason bold initiatives often fail, is that they work serially. One thing comes after the other. Carbon Zero City's approach is to have sub intiatives on separate, parallel tracks. If one sub initiative stalls, it doesnt head the others from moving forward. Carbon Zero City is constructed from four sub initiatives, each with further sub initiatives.
3. Deploy Events
to Drive Momentum
Events are Strategic and Tactical. They are strategic in that they are part of the core of a carbon zero city. They are tactical in that they market the overall project and could attract companies to participate. From roundtables to trade shows, these events will drive learning, partnerships, and actionable insights. The January 22 roundtable, "Trump, Cities, Climate Crisis: What Cities Need to Do to Move Forward," will kickstart key discussions on urban climate solutions. More on events.
AGENDA ON HOW NYC SHOULD MOVE FORWARD
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| Analyze the economic risks of federal inaction on NYC’s financial hub. |
| Strategize how FiDi can independently advance carbon-neutral goals. |
| Develop campaigns to counter climate skepticism and ensure investor confidence in green initiatives. |
| Leverage FiDi’s global financial influence to drive sustainable investments worldwide. |
AGENDA ON FIDI / CLUSTERS
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| Build and retrofit infrastructure for decarbonized, energy-efficient operations. |
| Electrify transportation and revolutionize urban mobility systems. |
| Enhance climate resilience to safeguard FiDi’s financial assets and economic role. |
| Establish FiDi as a replicable blueprint for other global financial districts. |
4. Use the Virtual to Create an Initial Market Base
This is similar to events being both strategic and tactical. Virtual, which includes the web, the app and the metaverse, is strategic in that they are the expansion of market presence. It tactical in that it is marketing both events and the showroom element.
5. Identify Specific Office Space for Showrooms
Repurpose Vacant FiDi Office Space to Showcase Carbon Zero Solutions. Utilize part of the 12 million square feet of vacant space east of Broadway to establish Carbon Zero City as a climate innovation hub. This initiative aims to create direct demand for 1 million square feet of showrooms and indirect demand for 1.5 million square feet for supporting offices, transforming 2.5 million square feet into a dynamic center. Flexible usage options make it a standout opportunity. More on the venue.Drive Engagement with a Strategic Event Portfolio.
HIGH VACANCY
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Chronic office vacancies pose a problem, but also offer space for unique events. (Source: Cushman Wakefield Q1 2024). Vacant office spaces offer significant flexibility for use as showrooms, allowing companies to showcase their products in dynamic, adaptable environments. This approach not only optimizes unused real estate but also drives demand for related office space, creating a synergy between exhibitions and business operations. Similar to the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour (London), these showrooms will become a hub for innovation, attracting industry leaders and generating economic growth.
MODEST DEMAND
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Vacancies are a challenge, but provide room for innovative events. (Source: Cushman Wakefield Q1 2024). Carbon Zero Projects Demand for 2 Million Square Feet. With such an oversupply of long term, uncompetitive vacant space, Carbon Zero expects to have extensive flexibity with establishing showrooms and other uses. It is also less expensive to convert to showrooms than to residential.
COMPERABLE USES
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Vacancies are a challenge, but provide room for innovative events. (Source: Cushman Wakefield Q1 2024). Carbon Zero Projects Demand for 2 Million Square Feet. With such an oversupply of long term, uncompetitive vacant space, Carbon Zero expects to have extensive flexibity with establishing showrooms and other uses. It is also less expensive to convert to showrooms than to residential.
Organize the venue based on industry — At present all aspects of Carbon Zero City are being organized by industry. This includes the Trade Mart, events, the metaverse, and content. More on industries.
Compare showroom economics to residential conversions or arts centers like the Water Street Associates building at 161 Water Street. Carbon Zero City complements these uses but offers significantly greater economic potential.
6. Identify Other Urban Assets
FiDi has a wide array of urban assets in various forms of ownership. Utilize neighborhood resources, including spaces for exhibits and short-term events, to generate revenue for upgrades and transformation. These initiatives will pave the way for a replicable carbon-zero city with a stronger local economy, an improved quality of life, and higher property values. Many of these assets could be in need of improvement, the cost of which could be covered by the initiative. More...
| EXAMPLE ASSETS OTHER THAN OFFICE |
|---|
| Alleyways and Narrow Streets— Hidden gems like 6 Dutch Street. |
| Vacant Retail— Prime spots along Fulton and Nassau Streets, 22% vacancy (Broadsheet). |
| Public Spaces— Historic plazas like Golden Hill. |
| Under the FDR— Future park and flood protection projects under LMCR. |
| Vacant Land and Parking Lots— Gotham Parking and others for public exhibits. |
| Large Facilities— Winter Garden and Pier 17 for temporary events. |
| Educational Facilities— Summer projects at spaces like Pace University. |
| Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS)— Accessible spaces like 59 Maiden Lane. |
| Street Parking Sheds— Inspired by NYC’s Open Restaurant Program. |
7. Create DOOH Opportunities with Local Merchants and Others
Partner with Local Merchants to Implement an Innovative OOH/DOOH Strategy to Boost Visibility and Revenue. Utilize a blend of traditional and digital out-of-home (OOH/DOOH) media in FiDi to engage the community and spotlight Carbon Zero City initiatives. OOH/DOOH will have QR codes to link to the Carbon Zero City app.
| EXAMPLE DOOH/OOH |
|---|
| Billboards — Static or digital displays on rooftops or high-visibility areas like Broadway, targeting commuters and tourists. |
| Food Carts — Advertising panels on food carts, ideal for high-foot-traffic areas like Fulton Center or Wall Street subway stations. |
| Street Furniture — Benches, kiosks, and other public amenities with ads, placed along Water Street and busy pedestrian zones. |
| Digital Screens — Interactive or static screens in public spaces, fast food locations, or plazas like Zuccotti Park, attracting high foot traffic. |
| Building Wraps — Large-scale ads covering building sections, ideal for temporary campaigns on highly visible, underutilized structures. |
| Projection Mapping — Dynamic projections on buildings or structures, perfect for events, branding, or summits. |
Roadmap
1. Constantly Evaluate and Communicate Value Created for all Stakeholders
2. ecouple Elements to Ensure Continuity
3. Create an Events Portfolio to Drive Momentum and Attract Companies
4. Use the Virtual to Create a Beachhead and Market Worldwide
5. Identify Concentrations of Vacant Office Space for Showrooms
6. Identify Other Urban Assets for Use as Exhibits and Common Areas
7. Reach Out to Potential OOH and DOOH Opportunities
