Chapter 1, IN-FILL IS-LAND, The 2006's Remake of My Year 2000 Thesis

In a journey that started more than 12 years ago, I had experimented with various approaches to expand Lower Manhattan. Some of those attempts were recorded in my year 2000 Master of Architecture thesis book.
One of the findings of my thesis was that Lower Manhattan will expand to incorporate Governors Island. The size and shape of the expansion may fluctuate, the certainty of the expansion will not.
The title of my thesis is “IN-FILL IS-LAND”. One way to read it, is Infill Island pertains to the fact that Governors Island was originally around 70 acres, due to an infill that took place in 1901, it became 200 acres. “Infill Is Land” is my favorite way to read the title of my thesis. The fact that Infill in Lower Manhattan creates new land is a history authenticated fact.
The subtitle of my thesis is “A VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF GOVERNORS ISLAND”. My vision for Governors Island is to develop it and connect it to Lower Manhattan turning Governors Island into a new part of Lower Manhattan.
After September 11, 2001 my thesis gained urgency and its relevance became compelling as a Lower-Manhattan's rebuilding approach. I rewrote my thesis incorporating the new situation in Lower Manhattan. This book highlights5 expansion options. Lower Manhattan’s expansion could be any one of them or a hybrid between any 2 or more schemes.
This chapter details some of both the successes and the constructive failures of this journey.