"These projects outline a practical roadmap for a new era of public space in New York: streets can function as parks, transportation corridors can double as civic spaces, brownfields and forgotten infrastructure can be reclaimed for public life."
"Launched at the peak of the pandemic in 2020, the Open Streets program showed how quickly New York could expand its public realm, transforming how we experience many of the streets around us. A prime example of the program's impact can be seen in the forthcoming revitalization of Paseo Park, a 26-block stretch in Jackson Heights, Queens that will be transformed into a walkable, car-light promenade in one of the city's most park-deprived neighborhoods."
"The new administration doesn't need to start from scratch, it needs to look at what's already proving itself and commit to doing more of it, in step with local communities and especially in neighborhoods that have been overlooked for too long."
New York City's shared public spaces—from sidewalks to parks—are essential assets that make the dense, expensive city more livable while addressing affordability, safety, and climate challenges. The new administration should build on existing successful initiatives rather than starting from scratch. The Open Streets program, launched during the pandemic in 2020, demonstrated how quickly the city could expand its public realm. Projects like Paseo Park in Jackson Heights, Queens exemplify transforming underserved neighborhoods into walkable, car-light spaces. The city possesses proven approaches and ingredients for creating greener, safer, more democratic public spaces. Success requires commitment to scaling these initiatives with community input, particularly in historically overlooked neighborhoods across all five boroughs.
#public-space-development #urban-planning #open-streets-program #community-centered-design #neighborhood-revitalization
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