Design Research
Sustainable Death
Strategy
Urban Spaces
Sustainable Death is a strategic and economic design project focused on integrating sustainable practices for death through transforming urban spaces in Prospect Park, New York City.
Year: Sept 2023 - Jan 2024
Purpose: Good Interventions 2024 Project (Winner)
Role: Designer, Researcher, Strategist
Team: Emma Kowalczyk, Chloé de Montgolfier, Matteo Salomoni
Design Challenge: The challenge was to create an economic design project focused on urban spaces in New York City. In this case, our team focused on sustainable alternatives for common rituals and practices for existing traditions.
Impact: Prospect Park Green Burial Initiative was made, which won a Good Interventions 2024 award. Key strategies regarding designing internal practices, accountability measures, public acceptance, design, and ethical concerns/remediation measures were created by the team.
Death as part of life.
How might we integrate, commemorate, and destigmatize something we often forget is part of life?
Prospect Park Green Burial Initiative proposes the transformation of specific areas within Prospect Park, New York City, into sustainable, alternative burial grounds and memorials.
The initiative explores how this historic urban green space can be sensitively repurposed to incorporate eco-friendly interment options, including but not limited to biodegradable urns and memorial trees, in a manner that complements the park's natural beauty and historical significance.
It aims to emphasize a harmonious balance between memorialization, public recreation, and ecological preservation. This design offers a serene, reflective space for remembrance while enhancing the park's role as a vital green lung and community hub in Brooklyn's urban ecosystem.
Finding Context
Extensive background research covered topics on green burials, cultural & historical death practices, policies on burials, and economic impact.
Logistics and impact of the project were researched; from assessing Prospect Park, ethical concerns, and strategies for public acceptance, to user research and process mapping.
DARN Theory: Understanding Systems
By mapping out the devices, actors, representations, and networks involved in the system, the team got a better grasp of the current landscape.
A sustainable death with an informed strategy. It aims to emphasize a harmonious balance between memorialization, public recreation, and ecological preservation.
This initiative offers a serene, reflective space for remembrance while enhancing the park's role as a vital green lung and community hub in Brooklyn's urban ecosystem.
Memorial Tree
Native plantings and natural markers would replace conventional headstones, creating a living memorial that contributes to the park’s ecosystem.
Arch Engravings
The project also includes wood engravings for the Prospect Park Arch.
Engraving the names of the deceased on the interior wooden lining of the arch offers a contemporary, long-lasting, and environmentally-friendly
alternative to traditional tombstones.
Nellie's Lawn
The lawn’s quiet and natural setting makes it an ideal location for hosting memorial grounds. It provides a reflective and respectful environment where individuals can come to remember and honor their loved ones.
The project goes beyond proposing designs in the park. Here, internal practices, accountability, strategies for public acceptance, and ethical concerns and remediation measures are also taken into consideration.
Design
Sustainable Burial
Alternative Memorialization Options
Ethical Concerns & Remediation Measures
Stakeholder Dialogues
Co-Creation
Financial Assistance Program
Public Acceptance
Community & Support Spaces
Death Education Programs
Community Engagement & Outreaach
Conservation Programs
Stakeholder-Industry Partnerships
Information Campaigns
Accountability
Death Education Programs
Conservation Programs
Stakeholder Dialogues
Death Doula Program
Internal Practices
Language
Diverse Representation
Staff Training
Sustainable Death is a strategic and economic design project focused on integrating sustainable practices for death through transforming urban spaces in Prospect Park, New York City.
Year: Sept 2023 - Jan 2024
Purpose: Good Interventions 2024 Project
Role: Designer, Researcher, Strategist
Team: Emma Kowalczyk, Chloé de Montgolfier, Matteo Salomoni
Strategy, Policy, Urban Spaces, Sustainability