A definitive masterclass in urban regeneration: The High Line, New York

A quick hop across the Atlantic from Mayfield Park takes us to New York.

I’ve been to New York three times, and each visit makes me fall in love with the city a little bit more. One thing that never changes -  I always walk the High Line.

To me, it’s the best example of urban regeneration I’ve ever experienced. Simple, beautiful, creative, and incredibly multi-functional.

Everything from its development and design to its ongoing use feels like a masterclass in innovation. But what strikes me most is the experience and unique perspective it offers – you’re simultaneously immersed in the city and somehow apart from it. It reminds us that cities and nature don’t have to be in opposition. They can do more than coexist: they can be in actual conversation.

A bit of background

The High Line is a public park built on a historic, and later abandoned, elevated freight rail line that runs along the western side of Manhattan.

In the late 1990s, local residents and regeneration advocates worked to save the structure from demolition, with the vision of a new kind of urban green space. The first section of the High Line opened in 2009 after years of planning and fundraising. It transformed the disused rail line into a vibrant public space combining landscape architecture, art, and urban design.

Retained rail tracks forming part of the planting

Design and feel

Walking the High Line is an experience of contrasts.

You find everything from captivating art, to urban noise, to vibrant greenery. Repurposed railway elements frame panoramic views of skyscrapers and glimpses of the Hudson River as you walk through different types of planting.

The High Line beautifully blends nature with the city’s industrial heritage, offering New Yorkers and visitors a unique place to walk, relax, and connect with the ever-changing city landscape.

I really love how it celebrates its urban setting every bit as much as it does nature.

Though elevated, the High Line never feels disconnected or detached. It winds through the city, linking neighbourhoods, galleries, shops, cafes, bars and restaurants with easy and frequent access to the streets below. It’s both a retreat from, and a thoroughfare through, the city - to me, this is the most successful thing about it.

A few things that consistently stand out:

• The elevated perspective. Which offers a fresh and unique view of a city so often experienced at street level.

• The ‘hop on, hop off’ nature. For locals, shoppers and tourists alike

• The diverse art installations. These are always a highlight.

• The celebration of panoramas. Thoughtful design incorporates stunning and interesting  panoramic views.

• The diversity of use. It's fascinating to observe the diverse array of people who use and enjoy the space.

• There is lift access at certain points. Great for people with mobility difficulties, prams, or anyone who can’t use stairs.

The High Line feels more than a park - it feels like a celebration of creativity, practicality and community connection.

A place where where nature, culture, heritage, and urban life thrive in a beautiful, unexpected blend above the bustling streets of New York.