NDD Red Urban Bears

Newark, USA
About the city. The NDD is funded through a special assessment on district commercial and residential properties and is overseen by a Board of Trustees consisting of business and property owners within the District, representatives of non-profit organizations, as well as municipal officials and staff.

Goal

The idea behind the program is to spotlight the vibrancy that exists within every urban space. Because their creation left a minimal carbon footprint, the NDD Red Urban Bears serve as a reminder that we can always look for ways to make cities green and clean.

Implementation period. The program was launched in August 2021.

Fact

The NDD chose the bear because it symbolises both power and resurgence: following the bear’s season of introspection, it emerges- undeniably dynamic and fiercely energetic- just like the City of Newark. The bears are meant to send a message of spirit and strength, confidence and victory, and, because they prefer peace and tranquillity, bears symbolise harmony and balance.

Solutions

The red bears were created by six cutting edge artists in Italy who utilised recycled plastics to create the animal sculptures, and each sculpture conveys a specific meaning for the urban environment. The bears symbolize nature because they are created from recycled material, thus leaving a minimal carbon footprint-this is to inspire people to re-examine existing perceptions of urban life, and rejuvenate them into more healthy and vibrant environments.

Who are the NDD Red Urban Bears?

Yosemite (Native American name for bear)

The Yosemite National Park, one of the first parks in the USA, is a shrine to human foresight, strength, power, and the persistence of life. Yosemite’s mission is tied to the home that bears (pun intended) his name. His goal is the preservation of the rich history of the City, and a commitment to keeping Newark clean and litter-free.

Manilkara (from the Manilkara Chicle tree)

Manilkara’s name comes from the Manilkara Chicle tree, which exudes chicle, the substance we know as “gum”. Chewing gum is one of the leading causes of litter in urban areas, as it is commonly stuck underneath benches and tables and to the surface of sidewalks, and is almost impossible to remove once dried. Chewing gum does not break down over time, making it also a potential hazard to the environment. Manilkara has one goal – to purchase “Gum Buster” machines to remove gum from the sidewalks in downtown Newark.

Bernadette (Strong Brave Bear)

Bernadette is dedicated to the NDD Horticulture Project. There have been 175 new trees installed, and there will be seasonal plants and flowers in the 220 planters throughout the downtown district year-round.

Orsa (Little She Bear)

Orsa’s name, meaning “little she bear”, is derived from the Latin “orsorum” meaning “undertaking”, so her mission is a lofty one – pun intended. Orsa envisions environmentally-friendly green roofs in Newark. Roofs covered with living plants have many benefits in urban areas – from reducing city heat and air pollution to decreasing the rate of stormwater runoff. Green roofs also serve as an extra layer of insulation, reducing the amount of heating in the winter and air conditioning in the summer, and thus decreasing energy consumption.

Reeree (from the prefix “re” meaning “again”)

Reeree’s mission is connected to her name—to re-new the City by recycling, reusing, and reducing. By collecting and reusing materials that would otherwise be considered waste, and then buying recycled products, we can create a circle that will ensure the success of a recycling project.

Team

The Newark Downtown District (NDD), Newark’s special improvement district (SID) of the central business area, is a privately funded 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to enhancing cleanliness, safety, and beautification in Downtown Newark while preserving and enriching culture, commerce, and community.

Timeline

Red bears are also a symbol of many street events.

“We’re always being asked where the bears will be next because people know they always go to the coolest places downtown,” added NDD Social Media Manager Allison Gordon, the mastermind behind the campaign’s photoshoots.

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