If Gowanus were a superhero, who would it be? Would it have the quiet charm of Peter Parker, the mysterious nature of Bat Man, or would it be something completely original? Maybe its all the hype about this summer’s blockbuster, but perhaps a parallel to Marvel Comic’s Captain America is appropriate.

Captain America was the alter ego of Steve Rogers, a young man who was enhanced to the peak of human perfection by an experimental serum in order to aid the United States war effort during WW2. Captain America changes from a scrawny kid to a powerful and unstoppable force through the use of new technology.

What if we isolated that last thought? Could Gowanus be transformed by technology to be a more livable community, with its own unique identity and innovative economic opportunities that help both people and the environment? Could Gowanus be transformed by new solar technology? Geothermal? Stormwater management? Urban design techniques?

Transformation makes a normal guy into our superhero Captain America. Can it do the same in Gowanus?

Image Take From GraphicDirt.com

As a post-industrial neighborhood, Gowanus has the ability to completely reinvent itself into the city of the future. In my opinion it’s not childish to associate Gowanus with a superhero or some imaginary character since that is exactly what we are doing- imagining. Living City Brooklyn Gowanus is envisioning, developing, and creating a plan with the help of local building owners, business owners, and residents that is going to change the way Gowanus functions. To that extent we are forming an environmentally aware, sustainably driven community that will help pave the way to the livable city of the future. Now that sounds like a great comic book idea…