Wakefield Yards: Envisioning Affordable Housing in The Bronx
Seeing the Future of Transit Oriented Development in The Bronx with inCitu Augmented Reality.
Radson Development is changing the way Bronx residents engage with affordable housing development through an innovative partnership with inCitu. Using Augmented Reality (AR), Radson is bringing transparency to city planning like never before. Residents can now scan QR codes around the Wakefield Yards development site to visualize the future of Wakefield Yards and 241st St directly on their smartphones. This immersive tool empowers the community to actively participate in shaping their neighborhood, providing a clear, accessible way to understand upcoming changes. Experience the future of affordable housing and urban planning firsthand at the E 241st / Cranford Ave Bus Stop and E 241st St / Furman Ave in The Bronx.
Community Board 12 (CB 12) in The Bronx finds itself in the midst of a struggle to meet New York City's housing needs. Wakefield Yards is a new project from Radson Development that aims to bring much needed affordable density to the area. Located at 4641 Furman Ave right next to Wakefield–241st Street Station, Wakefield Yards will bring 251 affordable units to the North Bronx. The project is 100% affordable, offering housing for families across different income levels, while transforming a former gas station into a sustainable, LEED Platinum certified site that aligns with community needs.
Reinventing The Planning Notice
Traditional planning notices in the Bronx, like many areas, are often hard to read or overlooked, leading to frustration when new developments seem to appear out of nowhere. Radson is reinventing this approach with Wakefield yards and a selection of affordable projects around the city. Leveraging inCitu’s geospatial AR toolkit, Radson has transformed planning notices into interactive experiences that encourage participation.
In 2022, inCitu launched “guerilla planning notice” efforts to make development proposals in NYC visible and accessible to local residents by placing AR signage at a number of high profile development sites. Now, with the AR-enhanced signage at 241st st, inCitu and Radson Development are providing the first developer-sponsored augmented notifications, an engaging way for the public to see future changes coming to their area directly.
Transit-Oriented Futures
Wakefield Yards exemplifies transit-oriented development, which is critical in areas like the Bronx, where balancing growth with infrastructure demands is key. Located near transit hubs like E 241st / Cranford Ave and E 241st St / Furman Ave, this development is well-situated to reduce car reliance, promote sustainable commuting, and connect residents easily with the broader city.
Furthermore, Wakefield Yards is designed to be environmentally conscious. The development is LEED Platinum certified and features rooftop solar, showing that increased density can be sustainable too. It also participates in the Brownfield Cleanup Program, ensuring that the site transformation is not just about building more housing but about building better, healthier environments.
Key Impacts
Viewership Stats: In the first month, over 100 residents used the AR-enhanced planning notices to view and engage with the future Wakefield Yards development. Initial Social Media posts about the AR have earned hundreds of impressions at the time of writing.
A Milestone in Planning Communication: This project was the first of its kind to integrate AR notices to the standard public notification signage, redefining how developments are communicated in NYC and beyond.
Shaping a New Future
Wakefield Yards isn’t just about creating affordable housing; it’s about transforming how development happens in the Bronx. By leveraging inCitu’s technology to make planning accessible, focusing on sustainable design, and making the most of transit connectivity, this project is setting a new standard for responsible growth—one that includes and benefits the community every step of the way.
Want to see this future development yourself? Just head to E 241st / Cranford Ave Bus Stop and E 241st St / Furman Ave and look for QR codes near the site to get a sneak peek at Wakefield Yards with your smartphone camera!
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