Stress and the City: Reactions to the National September 11th Memorial in New York City

Steffen Bradford West (School of Architecture - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
Kathryn H. Anthony (School of Architecture - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Background: Memorials commemorate those affected by war or conflict. They provide a vital source of history in understanding sacrifices made by past generations, serving as important reminders for present and future generations. Michael Arad designed The National September 11 th Memorial, “Reflecting Absence,” winner of a 2004 design competition. It opened to the public in 2014 and is located at the grounds of the former World Trade Center complex in NewYork City. It occupies approximately half of the original 16-acre site. The Memorial features two massive waterfalls and reflecting pools, each about an acre in size, set within the footprints of the original Twin Towers. Panels surround the reflecting pools and list the names of the 2,983 victims who died there. Its design conveys a spirit of hope and renewal, a contemplative and somber space separated from the sights and sounds of the bustling metropolis that surrounds it.

Aim: Do visitors feel a sense of hope and renewal when visiting the National September 11 th Memorial? This study explores their interactions and feelings. Methods: Two methods were used: 1) Informal behavioral observations conducted onsite; and 2) a short online survey posted on Facebook that received 95 responses. Responses to the survey poured in quickly, indicating a high level of interest in this topic.

Results: On-site observations revealed a sense of quiet and awe, with few selfie photos. When asked how powerful is the memorial to you on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, almost all (94%) survey respondents rated it 8, 9, or a 10, and nearly 50% rated it 10.

Conclusion: The overwhelming majority of respondents found that their experience at the September 11 th Memorial was extremely powerful.