To Transform NEW YORK 1 Can Can We We Happen It It Ogether T Make Ew York Ew N of GREAT PLACES PLACES GREAT OF

Home , Astor Place, Herald Square, Petrosino Square, The Battery (Manhattan), Tompkins Square Park, Water Taxi Beach

9 Ways to Transform NEW YORK 1 Can Can We We Happen It It ogether T Make ew York ew N OF GREAT PLACES PLACES GREAT OF

A CITY A

INTO WAYS

to Transform Transform to 9 2 9 Ways to Transform NEW YORK The Staff ofProject forThe Staff PublicSpaces of New York through itspublicspaces. We andjoinusinshapingthefuture hopeyou willreadthiscommentary For PPS,New York isnot justanother globalmetropolis, itisourhome. living in. both largeandsmall–to provide itscitizenswithneighborhoods worth sustainingandcreatinggreatpublicspaces challenge ofpreserving, exciting cities.Like other globalcities,New York faces theenormous to step backandtake stock ifitisto remainoneoftheworld’s most aroseOur work from onthiscommentary thebeliefthatNew York needs (availableCommentary atwww.pps.org). York New London, Paris, Barcelona, andnow, New York. we have compiled thisknowledge inaseriesofcommentariescovering celebrate communityandenhancetheessenceof“place.”Since2003 toguiding civicleaders shapetheurbanenvironment inways that investigation into someoftheworld’s greatest (andlargest)cities, For 31 years, Project for PublicSpaces(PPS)hasconducted intensive About this Commentary

is acompanion documentto thecomplete New York City Nine Ways to Transform Transform to Ways Nine 9 Ways to Transform NEW YORK 3 - - overcome. class city, but even the first-time but even class city, visitor senses it that infuses a powerful There is force intuitively. and constant change: the energy the city with life in defining a huge role of its citizens, who play their city where It is an incredibly diverse neighborhoods. on of immigrants continually put their stamp waves Indeed, the and cultural landscape. the physical the arises from neighborhoods York success of New participationpassionate of residents, activists and the clout of local entrepreneurs rather than from city officials or big business. When city things go or restrain this energy, control in to steps government awry. often city officialsAll too fail to recognize, and that oppose, the citizen initiatives even sometimes has city York New neighborhoods. strong create departments transportation, overseeing parks, and police, but no suc economic development, efforts in all coordinate cessful mechanism to these fields or connect them to neighborhood see a big change in what could be priorities. We’d neighborhood if city agencies treated accomplished associations as partners, rather than obstacles to zones, which they want to hurry through or avoid al hurry or avoid to want through zones, which they city. This is the beginning of the disposable together. Link the city’s the solution is straightforward: Luckily, and institutions great public spaces, neighborhoods, districts. walkable lively into together strength unseen York’s New is a world- York reason New can’t see the other You - - - ew York is a great city for two important two city for is a great York ew and of public destinations reasons—its wealth experience of the city rather than walking and of the city rather than walking experience dead encounter and residents alike transit. Visitors City Marathon, Fort Greene, Brooklyn York New Above: Manhattan 5th Avenue, Right: Museum Mile Festival, and sterile, anti-urban developments conceived by by conceived anti-urban developments and sterile, designers. vanity amidst traffic- When destinations are isolated with monoto or buildings urban fabric dominated become the driving and parking nous blank walls, new places to explore. Where these destinations are explore. places to new and continuous ground streets walkable by linked floor activity, the city thrives. However, New attractions are becoming increasingly disconnected York’s Large sections of the city’s pedes each other. from traffic by overwhelmed are now trian environment Places to go, things to do to things go, to Places its livable for York New knows The whole world first-rate parks, excellent neighborhoods, cultural supply of attractions, and seemingly inexhaustible locations. As New York grows at a breakneck pace, grows York locations. As New at the pursue projects to tend decision makers made the city’s that have of the qualities expense opportuni so successful. Thankfully, neighborhoods sure and make our sleeves up roll ties abound to city. most exciting remains the world’s York New Both strengths are being challenged today, from from strengths are being challenged today, Both by experience of the sidewalk erosion the slow buildings, congestion, blank-walled worsening the security measures, to and heavy-handed big for rapid increase in suburban-style proposals in prime waterfront parks and lifeless stores box N and the If city government the energy of its citizens. York’s New build on these assets, sector private flourish. and districts will continue to neighborhoods What Makes New York a Great City Great a York New Makes What 4 9 Ways to Transform NEW YORK Above: TimesSquare better places. people andplaces,we willget happier peopleand for planning start we If andworsemore cars traffic. get will If we life. we continueto planfor andtraffic, cars city of rivers the not torrents ofhostiletraffic, congestion. Thestreets ofNew York have become to save time)hasbecomeanaccepted solutionto running” (barrellingdown neighborhood streets housing, andneighborhood shoppingareas.“Rat streets—even inthevicinityofschools,seniorcitizen Vehicles move atdangerously highspeeds for city asvitalpublicspaces. city streets nolonger serve and trucks,even inresidentialareas,andmost However, New York’s currentpoliciesfavor cars things aredoneinNew York. embraced by itwould cityleaders, revolutionize how streets. Ifthiswellspring ofcivicenergywere fully in favor andbusier, ofmorecars moredangerous haveefforts hadto contend withabureaucraticbias of citizens’groups andtheprivate sector. These accomplished largelythrough thededicated work or creationofmany valuable publicspaceshasbeen hoods, DOT hasyet to keep pace.Therejuvenation lessly to improve thepublicrealmin theirneighbor residents over thepast30years have worked tire York New While boroughs. community life inallfive tation (DOT), whosepolicieshave ahugeimpact on lies withtheNew York ofTranspor CityDepartment toThe greatest make opportunity therightchoice to energies its promote greatpublicspacesandlively streetlife. redirect or streets, sterile and traffic choose to eitherstay ofworsening thecourse N The weakest link: traffic MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS TheREGARDING TRAFFICChoice AND THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENTNew York Faces it willtake in the 21st Century. Thecitycan ew York hasclearoptionsaboutthedirection - - - the biggest threatto itsvitality the biggest Lessons to helpNew York overcome rapid transitsystem. pedestrian streets andmuchtalked-about bus livability thanksto itsmany new parks, bikeways, Bogotá neighborhood streets pedestrian-friendly. Seattle instead ofmore downtown parking facilities, and Oregon hasbuiltlightrailandstreetcar lines beginning to catchtheworld’s eye. lines, resultinginanextremely livable citythat’s lanes, whichwere later converted to streetcar parking and revolutionized itstransitsystem by most vital,pleasurablecitiesinEurope. pedestrian streets—which have madeitoneofthe widening pedestrianwalkways andcreating forspace reserved by cars addingbicycle lanes, systematically reducedtheamountofcity Over thepast40years public transit. 100 new publicspacesinthecityandboost embarked ongrandplansto create orimprove from a charging fee to drivers entering thecity—anideaborrowed by London central in reduced traffic successful congestionpricingsystem, whichhas The world istalkingabout above andtrucks. thoseofcars neighborhood to prioritizepedestrianneeds inevery complementing ambitiousefforts highways alongtheSeineinto urbanbeaches, spaces. by strategically reclaimingitsstreets aspublic Hong Kong pedestrian-friendly RamblasandBoulevards. building efforts. policiesinto genuinecommunity transportation ahead ofNew York whenitcomesto turning Leading citiesaround theworld areyears are Conquering TrafficAround the World How Cities Singapore haspioneerednew programs to make its , Colombia,isnow aworld leader inurban Each summer, isaddressingitscongestionproblem replacing auto laneswithbus and Barcelona Oslo Paris Copenhagen . Londonhasalso London’s isbuildingnew transforms major reducing Portland

bold and very bold andvery has Zurich ,

9 Ways to Transform NEW YORK 5 - he energy found in the neighborhoods of New of New in the neighborhoods he energy found the attention by is inspiring, evidenced York the world, is that by focusing on creating places, you on creating places, you focusing is that by the world, A “Placemaking” approach differently. do everything a a fundamental shift the city, mark would for in a York off New pay for that would transformation big way. spaces—which are crucial to so many people’s lives. people’s lives. so many spaces—which are crucial to critical these matters Citizens understand how But city neighborhoods. the health of their are to officials have kept concerned citizens at transportation, the larger citywide issues of from a distance needs York and urban design. New development, communities in addressing these larger involve to itself in shoot to issues. The city has a propensity are out of that embracing developments by the foot local damaging to vehicles, dependent on scale, too flashy by businesses, or characterized but impracti urban neighborhoods. for cal design unsuited challenge in assuring the the biggest believe We bring its major is to York future vitality of New municipal departments (Planning, Transportation, back into and Parks) Economic Development, the city articulated alignment with the rich vision for officials its citizens. When government by map out of certain the dictates disciplines to plans according members of that (seeing their audience as other are no the citizens of the city) they not profession, which comes longer serving the public. Our view, all over and work travel seen as we what we’ve from A new role for government for role new A T their homes what happens around to people devote However, shopping districts. and parks in nearby and (Paris, examined have global cities we as in other from removed public is far the London, Barcelona), the vitality of public the basic decisions that affect - - excessive traffic excessive Above: A pedestrian- and transit-oriented boulevard, Paris, Paris, boulevard, A pedestrian- and transit-oriented Above: from the city is reclaiming streets ways one of many France, by transit and don’t require parking lots, while the lots, parking transit and don’t require by are currently where such stores neighborhoods benefit would sited from more creative strategies for economic and community development. not promote, urban residents’ need to own and own urban residents’ need to promote, not example, for Hook waterfront, use cars. The Red IKEA outlet, an auto-oriented for site is the wrong trips. Big retail vehicle scores of which will generate fitstores best in areas that are already well-served The negative impact of traffic impact The negative on New York neigh a short-sighted city by is compounded borhoods stores box” policy that enables suburban-style “big long transit. Any underserved in areas by locate to decrease, future should York’s New vision for term bikes and transit (see sidebar). DOT can catch up to can catch up to and transit (see sidebar). DOT bikes Recent them. surpass these leading cities and even use willingness to a newfound suggest initiatives transportation community complement planning to be seen if DOT though it remains to development, in practice. through will follow The misplaced focus of New York transportation York of New The misplaced focus officials on moving vehicles has had as a vibrant limiting its potential the city, for quences serious conse flourishes.place where streetlife By contrast, many cities PPS has studied are taking major steps other field the playing level to between cars, pedestrians, 6 9 Ways to Transform NEW YORK as theMuseum MileFestival presence public strong a Below: New York’s itsgreatinstitutions, butareonlyafforded thechance to creating streets cansupport dosoduringcar-free events such from institutions nearby precludes Above: At GrandArmy Plaza,Brooklyn, the emphasis ontraffic are lifeless andcold;smallerparks, plazas,and destrians; too many plazasoutsidemajorbuildings and mostmajoravenues arehostilesettings for pe what itcouldbecome.Many neighborhood streets Yorkers inhabitapublicrealmthatpalesbeside Although thecitypridesitselfonitspubliclife, New welcoming publicspaces. community institutionsto allfunctionasactive, needs squares, neighborhood parks, streets and to sustainathrivingpublicenvironment. Italso parks New York, needsmorethanafew flagship top-notch, butany city, let aloneoneasvast as minds. Withoutadoubt,thecity’smajorparks are I into a City ofNine Great Ways Places to Transform New York still limited to parks andplazasinmany people’s is space” “public term the boroughs, n all five - a cityofgreatplaces. PPS proposes ninesteps to transform New York into solutions thatcomplement eachother. Inthat spirit, untangle theknot isto strategically coordinate These problems Theonlyway areintertwined. to strong publicpresencethey deserve. tions suchasschoolsandlibrariesseldomenjoy the squares arepoorlymaintained;andlocalinstitu - 9 Ways to Transform NEW YORK 7 - school grounds multi-purpose destinations. multi-purpose grounds school be integrated public space agenda must also Any City real York New projects. development with new The Bloomberg than ever. is more valuable estate of this climate advantage administration should take preserve and to developers for incentives creating by greatly that are so enhance the public environments In addition, a small tax on their projects. by affected (successful in Chicago) could fund development new identified of the improvements many in the process this to of creating a public space agenda. For that of fear happen, the city must cease acting out will flowinvestment elsewhere if it stops coddling or thirty ago, that approach years Twenty developers. neighbor York New anymore. made sense, but not developers become so desirable to hoods have of residents work thanks in large part the hard to are that developers now and community groups; that imperative it’s work, cashing in on citizens’ hard about to are listened those same community groups Otherwise, the takes. development what shape new lose some of the very that sparked qualities city may resurgence in the firstits real estate place. people in New York are even talking about the unmet unmet the about talking even are York New in people contrast, In assets. neighborhood these of potential M. Richard Mayor of leadership the under Chicago, making by success resounding a achieved has Daley, - -

Create a Comprehensive Public Space Agenda Space Public Comprehensive a Create

Right: Volunteers in Tompkins Square Park Square in Tompkins Right: Volunteers Above: Petrosino Square, an example of a key neighborhood neighborhood of a key an example Square, Petrosino Above: it can be transformed public space and how chainlink-fence schoolyards are begging to serve a are begging to schoolyards chainlink-fence students and the general both purpose—for broader public—than their current incarnations permit. Few bring unexpected possibilities to light, resulting in a possibilities to bring unexpected on public space agenda that puts everything broad very of notion Yorkers’ New the table and expands public space. what constitutes number of asphalt-and- instance, a vast For in New York’s neighborhoods. Using the city’s 59 neighborhoods. York’s in New unit, the districts as the standard Community Board most important identify the ten goal should be to A district-by- public spaces in each neighborhood. and encourage residents would district approach city officials to look at their neighborhoods anew and mix of squares, parks, streets, mixed-use districts, mixed-use streets, parks, mix of squares, London—are now areas around and waterfront underway. this idea The Bloomberg administration could take public spaces further the key targeting by even future improvements. Such an approach is already Such an approach future improvements. Livingstone Ken taking off Mayor in London, where Public Spaces Programme,” the “100 has initiated high quality declaring that “creating and managing an urban ren delivering public spaces is essential to aissance in London.” The first ten pilot projects—a of great places is to identify locations throughout throughout identify locations of great places is to the five boroughs where existing public spaces development are underperforming, or where new public spaces. new by should be accompanied The final product of this census would guide agenda—a plan to public space prehensive be a com 1 The first step in transforming New York into a city 8 9 Ways to Transform NEW YORK location willdemonstrate theeconomicvalue ofa of pilot project atthecity’smostheavily trafficked implementing thisstrategy.place to start Thiskind and sidewalks widened.TimesSquare is aprime reduced be should capacity outer boroughs—traffic the majoravenues inManhattan—andmany inthe pedestrianactivityandaccess.Onnearlyall support and bestuseofNew York’s street spaceisto Allocate more spacefor pedestrians. much healthiercity. Here’show to doit. practices thatfavor theauto willmake New York a demographic categories. Doingaway withoutdated is onetheleadingexternal causesofdeathfor most to have meanstreets, wherebeingrunover by acar continue will York New officials, local transportation of goal major the remains long asmoving traffic it putseveryone indanger, includingmotorists. So pedestrians, bicyclists, Even andbusriders. worse, Manhattan in Drive The resultisapublicenvironment thatmarginalizes People Why Choice? a private car(SchallerConsulting, six percent ofManhattanshoppingtripsinvolve and trucksabove allother uses,even thoughjust a way thatemphasizes themovement ofcars to designandmanagestreets andsidewalks in nesses andother institutions.Yet thecitycontinues lifeblood—delivering essentialnourishmentto busi sidewalks areitscapillariesandpedestrians If streets areNew York’s circulatory system, then 2 Bicyclists, andBalance Cars the Needs of Pedestrians, Transit, Necessity or or Necessity Thehighest , 2006). - people consolidate cartripsorchooseother modes that shows evidence (Empirical elsewhere. traffic reducing carcapacityinoneplaceresultsmore pro-pedestrian approach anddispelthemyth that viable transitalternative, whilepeoplewhohave no workers whodrive into Manhattanalreadyhave a Manhattan withsimilarresults.Themajorityof business. hurting New York couldimplement itsown version in without city center the in traffic reduced congestion pricingsystem has significantly pricing. Institute congestion BIDs to usefor neighborhood improvements than theauto, withrevenue set asidefor groups like provide strong incentives to travel by meansother rates athigh-demandareasandtimesofday will on parking garagesandanincreaseinparking meter tax A costs. true its parking doesnot reflect much parking inNew York, becausethepriceof garage was recently removed. Today thereistoo remains aspopularever even thoughitsparking by other means.Rockefeller Center, for instance, will stilltravel to thatlocation,they’ll simply doit choose to drive there. Ifparking isreduced,people available inagiven location,themorepeoplewill Reform p far so story The traffic? [S. Cairns,S.Atkins andP. Goodwin, ifdrivingbecomeslessconvenientof transportation Above: St.Mark’s Place arking incentives. , 2001].) Themoreparking is London’swell-known Disappearing Disappearing 9 Ways to Transform NEW YORK 9 London fewer cars on the road, bus routes can be made bus routes cars on the road, fewer such as improvements much speedier through and bus rapid bump-outs, bus-only lanes, bus stop of of the advantages many transit lines, which offer can become too, cost. Bicycling, light rail at a lower mainstream transportationa safe, option and an children, of recreation for form healthy enjoyable, in between. seniors and everyone Invest in other modes of transportation.Invest fund transit to uses its congestion pricing revenue in should invest York New Likewise, improvements. transit option: the bus. With its most under-utilized - - New York’s York’s New Right: Bus shelter, Malcom X Boulevard Right: Bus shelter, Above: Grand Street envisioned as a pedestrian-oriented as a pedestrian-oriented envisioned Grand Street Above: amenities with sidewalk street encourage drivers to seek other means of transpor seek other to encourage drivers most aggressive tation, and rid the city of its worst, been has even driving. In Chicago, such a strategy conflicts capacity: With fewer improve to shown and lane changing, traffic moves at a steadier pace. happens because the streets that feed into places into that feed happens because the streets are the Manhattan Bridge and Times Square like carrydesigned to much more traffic than the choke will roads the feeder Narrowing points themselves. points since the choke capacity, reduce overall not But it will carry more vehicles. already cannot any bridges, tunnels, and important act as intersections of traffic points, creating huge bottlenecks choke many them. So pass through up to as cars queue neighborhood that nearby accumulate vehicles cars, over space for become mere storage streets traffic,whelmed by noise, and exhaust fumes. This to compensate for the added cost. Congestion for compensate to of cars on the pricing will also reduce the impact through people will drive as fewer boroughs, outer reach Manhattan. them to points.” the effect of “choke Reduce choice but to drive will enjoy significant will enjoy drive choice but to time savings 10 9 Ways to Transform NEW YORK possible to placebenches,cafes, shadestructures, as publicspaces.Morepedestrianspacemakes it what realNew York streets would looklike iftreated recently created several photo simulationsdepicting Alternatives andtheOpenPlanning Project—PPS our ongoingcollaborationwithTransportation oftheNew YorkAs part CityStreets Renaissance— unto themselves. ans spaceto move, butto make streets destinations spaces. Theultimate goalisnot justto give pedestri creating streets public thatfunctionascomfortable to step Making pedestriansatop priorityisthefirst provide grade“F”level to pedestrians. ofservice sidewalks York New engineers, term from thetraffic devoid ofamenities for peopleonfoot. To borrow a New York Citystreets andsidewalks arepractically 3 Improve Streets as Public Spaces - Broadway crosses majoravenues, there’seven At irregularintersections like Astor Placeandwhere traffic. foot of set upshopwithoutcramping theflow onthesidewalk. Street vendorsand publicart can driving less. people to moreplaces—accomplishing morewhile tions themselves, New York canconnectmore put, by turningstreets andsidewalks into destina tion system Simply canincreaseitsperformance. perhaps thebestway thatourover-taxed transporta institutions to localplaygrounds. Infact, thisis public squares to neighborhood delis,majorcultural people to accessother destinations—from new destinations themselves, itwillbecomeeasierfor When New York’s aslively streets serve pedestrian enough room to create greatpublicsquares. it possible to gatheronthe sidewalk, inNew York arareluxury SidewalkLeft: amenities like thesetables on23rd Street make space withshade, seatingandspacioussidewalks Above: SpringStreet public couldfunction asacomfortable - - 9 Ways to Transform NEW YORK 11 for “new New Yorkers.” A 2003 study conducted A 2003 study conducted Yorkers.” New “new for that well revealed Foundation the Ford PPS for by in are especially valuable public markets conceived income communities where residents need lower financiallow thresholds to launch new businesses. a perhaps City needs some mechanism, York New non-profit development entity, to facilitate the especially on underused city- markets, start-up of new property public spaces that should or other owned civic life. of be centers Opportunities abound for these new public markets. public markets. Opportunities these new abound for are In a city where nearly three million people public of neighborhood a network foreign-born, of opportunity open fresh avenues would markets -

Develop a Full-Fledged Public Market Program Market Public Full-Fledged a Develop

development that harness the creative energy of that harness the creative development each neighborhood. Greenmarket Square Union Above: Brooklyn Farms, York at East New Right: Customers market program. Such a program would build on the would Such a program program. market addressing effects of markets—from positive many and social isolation to diabetes health concerns like logical stage local economies. It is the next fostering venues from markets York of New in the evolution full-fledged into buy food to engines of community become more widespread, diverse, and meaningful become more widespread, diverse, destinations that benefit farmers, vendors, and com munities alike. popularity of farmers In addition, the growing public a new for has laid the groundwork markets markets have an ephemeral quality—here today, today, an ephemeral quality—here have markets limits their importance in the gone tomorrow—which Strengthening operate. communities where they mini “town create presence would physical markets’ assortment where a broad and of activities squares” would sites In short, could thrive. market events seeking to bring the same kinds of benefits bring the same seeking to as while at the same time providing Greenmarket, and community gardeners, opportunities youth, for local entrepreneurs. Most however. deeper, should go far The innovations have brought produce from all over the region into the region into all over from produce brought have preserving and creating vital farms family the city, places like urban-rural links while transforming several In recent years, the better. for Square Union sprouted have markets dozen independent farmers income neighborhoods, the city’s lower up across 4 farmers Greenmarket York’s New 25 years, For 12 9 Ways to Transform NEW YORK ment and ensure that new buildings are truly urban. to halt the deterioration of the pedestrian environ be made among architects, clients, and city agencies remains a great experience. A concerted effort must activity is the major reason why walking in the city nantly for cars, the continuity of engaging ground floor failures. With New York’s streets designed predomi We have still not absorbed the lessons of those buildings that prevailed in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. an end to the practice of constructing blank-walled work of PPS’s mentor William H. Whyte, called for Society titled “No More Blank Walls,” based on the Several years ago an exhibit at the Municipal Art do not engage the pedestrian. building boom in the 1980s—dead, blank bases that into the same trap that marred Houston’s downtown instance of this type of building. This new breed falls may be the most high-profile—and praised— wrongly city. The new Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle pedestrian-oriented environment necessary to a vital is fundamentally un-urban and incompatible with the bombarded by a different kind of architecture, one that However, in recent years New York has been stopoften passersby to askwhere itis. the sidewalk level thatpeoplestandinginfront ofit still oneoftheworld’s tallest,issohuman-scaledat all cometogether. AndtheEmpire State Building, business andretail where theusestrulymix,asart, instance, isoneoftheraremixed-use developments best high-risebuildings.Rockefeller Center, for setting. Consequently, itboastsmany oftheworld’s could buildings of types be successfullyincorporated into afunctionalurban new how ago long out to figure had York New cities, skyscraper As oneofthefirst 5 Urban Buildings Architecture CreatesContemporary Ensure that - - 6 between cityagencies,transcendingtheindividual day. Thisapproach encouragescollaboration improving theplacesthatNew Yorkers useevery Implementing apublicspaceagendameans agencies responsiblefor ourpublicspaces. government shouldbeappliedto performance the effectively; inhissecond,thatsamedrive to improve large publicsector entitiesto more deliver services restructured Bloomberg Mayor term, In hisfirst organized to act onthisinterest. New York’s publicspaces,butthey arenot yet that many cityagencieshave a stake inimproving and environmental quality. Itshouldbecomeobvious nesses, culturalinstitutions,publichealthinitiatives, make adramaticdifference for schools,smallbusi Theyrelated canalso disciplinesanddepartments: public spacesarenot justtheconcernofplanning- The changesshouldn’tstop there.High-quality their responsibilitiesoverlap. Army PlazaorManhattan’sMadisonSquare, where Grand Brooklyn’s like places, to improve specific could thenjoinforces withcommunityorganizations tion, Buildings,andCityPlanning.Theseteams drawn ofParks, from Transporta thedepartments by formingpartnership small,interdisciplinary teams Bloomberg Administration canfoster anew senseof The today. disciplines different silos thatdefine in osntegg h eetin city agencies functionbest whenthey work asateam Above right: Like the players attheWest 4thStreet courts, tion, doesnot engagethepedestrian Above The Astor Place Tower, left: shown under construc Agencies Restructure City - - - 9 Ways to Transform NEW YORK 13 - the narrow confinesthe narrow of one-dimensional plans. The must sites waterfront full range of possibilities for choking off stores big box of Instead be explored. and traffic, lots activity with their parking or high- the barrier to rises erecting a visual and physical that monopolize space, parks or passive water, balance to should strive development waterfront maritime activity, housing, recreation, commerce, neigh interior uses. Connect this mix to and other transit service surface-level with improved borhoods will finally York and New streets, and walkable have for. it’s been yearning the waterfront The world’s best waterfronts feature a rich diversity a rich diversity feature best waterfronts The world’s with no single use outstripping the others. of activity, city, waterfront can still become a great York New beyond evolve of projects round but only if the new

uﬁltePtnilof the theFulﬁll Potential Waterfront

Above: Water Taxi Beach, Long Island City, Queens Beach, Long Island City, Taxi Water Above: Ridge, Brooklyn Bay Pier, Right: 68th Street problem is that current waterfront plans support is that current waterfront the problem domination of a single-use—be it apartment towers, This is a recipe for retail. green space, or big box mediocrity. exclusively for luxury for high-rises, and a BJ’s slotted exclusively on the Market Terminal the old Bronx into move to Harlem River. belongs on development and residential Commercial The waterfront. belong on the Parks the waterfront. York is on the verge of squandering the opportunity of squandering is on the verge York just as one- prove may waterfront again. Tomorrow’s planned parks with drab dimensional as today’s, the east side of Manhattan and the downtown for on the already broken ground waterfront, Brooklyn Hook IKEA, the edges of northRed zoned Brooklyn waterfronts in the world, an unparalleled asset that asset an unparalleled in the world, waterfronts decades. In the has been largely inaccessible for of replacing the city made the mistake 20th Century, Now, with a driving waterfront. waterfront its working of the water’s just when it appears large swaths that finallyedge may become available to the public, New 7 urban boasts one of the most extensive York New 14 9 Ways to Transform NEW YORK Tompkins Square Park Above: Volunteers paintthe playground in City Livable excellent 2005report, Society’smore information, seetheMunicipalArt been adopted by thecityinlast16 years (for Boards, yet onlyseven planshave community-based gets built.New York encompasses 59Community Boards develop have littlebearingonwhatactually Likewise, theneighborhood plansthatCommunity They canonlyreactto what’salready onthetable. sentatives to exercise realcreativityorleadership. This process doesnot encouragecommunityrepre involved something hasbeenproposed. usuallyafter public property, theCommunityBoard becomes in practice. In a typical development project involving tion becausethat’show theirrole hasbeendefined Community Boards tend to actasvehicles ofopposi Boards canbefulfilled. of insightsinto how thepromise ofCommunity But thetruthismorecomplex anumber andoffers they areviewed asimpediments to development. hoods, butthatrarelyhappenstoday. Moreoften, the initiative to helpresidentsshapetheirneighbor Ideally, New York’s CommunityBoards shouldtake 8 ). Reinvent Community Planning Livable Neighborhoods for a a for Neighborhoods Livable - - - and prioritiesatthebeginningofdevelopment communities to theiraspirations,needs, articulate adopting theirplansaslegitimate goalsandasking The cityshouldreinvent CommunityBoards by Community Boards. and itcanleadagainby adoptinganew modelfor the movement towards planning, community-based these organizations.New York was oncealeaderin projects by convening of andcoordinating theefforts Community Boards couldfacilitate Placemaking of grassroots neighborhood associationsin thecity, of society is exercised. Working with the vast number visible forums from whereleadership every stratum future oftheirdistricts.They shouldbecomehighly constituencies ifthey areto proactively shapethe more open,transparent,andengagedwiththeir this new way ofdoingbusiness.They mustbecome Community Boards themselves needto adaptto invested inseeingthemthrough. to theirneighborhood andthusbecomesmore The community, inturn,gainsmoresay inchanges the people whohave themostatstake intheproject. of expertise collective the from they willbenefit working withcommunitiesasequal partners, start designers and developers, process. Whenofficials, 9 Ways to Transform NEW YORK 15 - - - - assistance, and sharing best practices, the city can public spaces achieve York’s sure that New make of becoming great places. their promise goal is not just to make parks financially parks make just to goal is not self-suf ficient, but to create spaces thatpublic. engage the broader York’s New The same public goals should apply to public spaces, particu owned multitude of privately the result larly its “bonus plazas.” These spaces are to developers that allowed law zoning of a 1960s creating plazas for build taller buildings in exchange plazas are The majority of bonus level. at street open spaces that provide just empty unfortunately little of the public benefit developers were supposed Hundreds of these barren plazas could deliver. to public use if building owners, active to be converted businesses collaborate and neighborhood tenants, and manage these improvements fund creative to community goals. meet public spaces to of bonus plazas—and the The transformation by of BIDs and PIDs—depends on action evolution effortCity Hall. Only a city-coordinated can thorough ly influence and coordinate the disparate organiza tions charged with managing public spaces. By technical providing performancesetting standards, whole. Rather than tread the dangerous path toward path toward whole. Rather than tread the dangerous achieve to PIDs should strive privatization, park name would a better more public outcomes. In fact, since the District,” be “Public Space Improvement - - -

Manage Public Spaces for Public Outcomes Public for Spaces Public Manage

risk that PIDs will mostly serve the property owners fund them, rather than the public as a whose taxes Herald Square Above: The counterparts to BIDs are Park Improvement Improvement BIDs are Park The counterparts to of management with its own form Districts, a new the current BID model, limitations. If PIDs follow than well-maintained be little more may these parks there is a green spaces. Furthermore, but passive ships, program their public spaces, and implement their public spaces, and implement ships, program would BIDs themselves improvements. streetscape work Some are already raring to role. relish the new communities on bold visions for with surrounding just what their public spaces could become—they need the go-ahead. Districts to take responsibility for public spaces. public spaces. for responsibility take Districts to at the basics of mainte effective proven BIDs have and beautification,nance, security, but they have Small Business public role. a broader explore to yet Services, manages their funds, the agency that more community partner form should lead BIDs to space’s success. Current public space management space’s success. Current public space privatize to threaten however, York, practices in New constituency. a narrow places or limit their use to city importance the the management, of Recognizing Improvement Business has turned increasingly to will remain underutilized, and potential community will remain underutilized, and potential successful results produce To will be wasted. assets long run, a public space agenda must the over ongoing management. It may for include strategies that manage sound dazzling, but PPS has found not a public of eighty percent ment is responsible for 9 places Without good management, underutilized 16 9 Ways to Transform NEW YORK neighborhood gatheringplace? Above: PS29,Baltic Street, Brooklyn. Parking lot or model for schools andschoolyards. New York owes sive stridestowards amorecommunity-minded of the neighborhood. Other cities are making impres should behemmedinandseparated from therest fence. chain-link a In stark terms, itconveys themessagethatkids by bounded asphalt of swath flat The typicalNew York Cityschoolyard comprises a SCHOOL YARDS hood by neighborhood, borough by borough. transform thecity’sstreets for thebetter, neighbor dramatically could DOT resources, and sufficient in therightdirection.Withinnovative leadership in prioritiescouldget thiscrucialagencyheaded shift A goal remainsto move moreandtraffic. space andcommunitylife, New York CityDOT’s chief public infrastructurethatsupports transportation put theirweight behindmajorprograms to deliver While globalrivals like London,Paris, andBarcelona DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONConditions Be Bold: Address Citywide tary. apply theninestrategies outlinedinthiscommen is asmallsampling ofplaceswhereNew York could reward. It’stimefor New York to dothesame.Here discovering thefinal thatthe initialriskiswell worth already tacklingpublicspaceproblems head-onand realm. Chicago,London,andother largecitiesare truth isthatmuchcanbedoneto improve thepublic conditions asinevitable facts ofurbanlife. Butthe W HOW TO BEGIN MAKING MAJOR IMPROVEMENTSSome TO NEWPlaces YORK’S PUBLIC SPACES to Start with... New Yorkers have cometo acceptshameful hen it comes to the city’s public spaces, many - - - developers wanted mainlyto keep transientsout, inception. Mostwere builtduringatime when by andlargeremaineddismalfailures sincetheir Manhattan’s hundredsof“bonusplazas”have BONUS PLAZAS improving theirdailyenvironment. its schoolchildrenanequally strong commitmentto dividends for New Yorkers’ quality oflife. to drive. Puttingastop to thisperk would pay huge congestion by encouraging government employees traffic to the street andcontributingsignificantly and children,to take dangerous detours into forcingwith cars, everyone, includingseniorcitizens clogged stations—even schoolsandfirehouses—are are serious.Sidewalks police around courthouses, anywhere withimpunity, and employees to almost park cars theirpersonal government facility isnearby. Thecityallows public a New York Citysidewalk, it’sasuresignthat When you comeacross vehicles parked allover PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PARKING valuable communityplaces. converting bonusplazasfrom wasted openspaceto with buildingtenants andnearby residents on Placemaking Program” to spurdevelopers to work spaces. Thecityshouldimplement a“BonusPlaza have beentransformed into active, publicly usable have changedsincethen,hardly any bonusplazas the architecture ofthebuilding. Thoughattitudes justwantedand designers theplazato reflect City Commentary onwww.pps.org City Commentary more New York places,view thefull For examination anin-depth ofmany th e consequences 9 Ways to Transform NEW YORK 17 - - - breathtaking array of destinations. breathtaking array lane eliminating a travel Simply walking experience, home to a home to experience, walking Army Plaza, all the way down to to down way Plaza, all the Army and become a great boulevard Washington Square Park, it could Park, Square Washington on and widening the sidewalks both sides—providing space for space for sides—providing both attractive bus stops and amenities bus stops attractive interspersed with small kiosks for food food with small kiosks for interspersed and drink—is a logical fist step. 125TH STREET 125TH Because concessions to the motor vehicle vehicle the motor Because concessions to have created a street environment hostile to the hostile to environment a street created have pedestrian, the energy of 125th Street remains pedestrian, the energy of 125th Street bottled up inside the restaurants, clubs, theaters, up inside the restaurants, clubs, theaters, bottled and other local businesses for which it is famous, which it is famous, local businesses for and other that retail and cultural uses should provide a strong a strong and cultural uses should provide that retail and that public plazas, courtyards and identity, gathering places. should function as active streets change will need to City Ratner’s proposal Forest these goals and avoid accomplish drastically to becoming a district full of traffic congestion, lifeless public spaces. and exclusive streets, seldom spilling forth into the public realm. Pedestri seldom spilling forth into served, environ the street an needs must be better businesses incubated, new and ment enlivened, the authenticity and small-scale all while retaining appeal of the city’s most recognizable African will be a Then 125th Street American neighborhood. public space befitting its historic significance. YARDS ATLANTIC needs a great destination at the inter Brooklyn and Flatbush. This means that section of Atlantic buildings there should be easily accessible from transit underground, at grade and from sidewalks - - tunity to create a corridor of great places create tunity to through-traffic were greatly reduced. From 125th collection of museums past the world-class Street, and Grand 59th Street to alongside Central Park, 125th Street Above: present the oppor major intersections Broadway’s Center: New Yorkers would be proud to call their own and call their own to be proud would Yorkers New off visitors. show to AVENUE FIFTH could regain its pre-eminence as Fifth Avenue on if the emphasis America’s great shopping street sidewalks as though the law has ceased to apply. apply. has ceased to as though the law sidewalks parking end the public employee to If the city were adopt to were government and the federal perk, the Civic of security, methods more innovative could emerge as a major destination that Center government buildings and public government City around spaces clustered a place that fosters Hall—is not barriers mar the civic pride. Jersey bases of beautiful courthouses office and stately and the streets cars cover buildings, while parked traffic will enable it to serveisland-spanning corridor of great as an and linear public spaces. squares CENTER CIVIC Civic Center—the York’s New it the site of the city’s most notable intersec of the city’s most notable it the site tions, attractions, and institutions. From it is full of the Battery, to Street 218th today as a public space, but promise is woefully most of this potential unfulfilled. Reclaiming Broadway from Make Connections: Create Create Corridors and Connections: Make Districts Cohesive BROADWAY grid has made the street angle to Broadway’s 18 9 Ways to Transform NEW YORK message thatmuseumshave noplaceengaging streets thatsurround itsendsthebackwards immediateneighborhood; itscontinuedinsulationfrom the the beyond far felt is MoMA’s influence warehouse thanaworld-class culturalinstitution. entrance andfacade feel morelike thesideofa Even amajorrenovation after in2004,MoMA’s MUSEUM OF MODERN ART again. crowds EXTERIOR the enjoy to worker Square office of movement willenable even themostjadedTimes Avenue andBroadway. Givingpeoplemorefreedom “bowtie” formed by theintersection ofSeventh enlarge theperception oftheareabeyond the Square asapedestrian-oriented environment will Times by tourists andNew Yorkers alike. Defining true districtwithaseriesofdestinationsvalued simply passthrough andgawk at,andbecomea Times Square mustceaseto beaplacepeople TIMES SQUARE Underperforming PlacesGet Local: Reimagine is oneofthefew placesinthecitythathasform create something outofnothing thanAstor Place.It Nowhere elseinNew York to moreopportunity offers ASTOR PLACE experience equal to itsremarkable interior. squarely onhow to create anexterior publicspace the publicrealm.Itsnext renovation shouldfocus institutions together. of Brooklyn andlinktheborough’s premiercultural Plaza aplacewherepeoplecangatherintheheart that engagepedestrianswillmake GrandArmy sidewalks and streets creating and impact oftraffic the Reducing circle. traffic it isbasicallyaglorified Grand Army Plazafails asadestinationbecause GRAND ARMY PLAZA, BROOKLYN evolved from communityhearingsin2001. to the widelypraised“13 GuidingPrinciples”that There isstillachanceto return Brooklyn BridgePark from getting themostoutoftheirprimewaterfront. spaces willeffectively prevent Brooklyn residents entrances andisolated, one-dimensionalgreen currently as proposed, however, thehigh-risehousingatits built is it If boroughs. throughout thefive peoplefroma world-class public spaceserving The downtown Brooklyn waterfront couldbecome BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK and theEastVillagetogether. destrian-oriented districtbindingGreenwich Village a destination.Itbegsto betransformed into ape walk straight through thespaceratherthanuseitas and somuchasphaltthatpeoplearecompelled to of apublicsquare, yet thereissolittlevehicle traffic retdevrnet MoMAviewedLeft: from 54th Street oriented environment Above: Astor Placereimaginedas apedestrian- - 9 Ways to Transform NEW YORK 19 - - Bryant Park, , set the park’s storied storied the park’s , set

[email protected]. Please call us at (212) 620-5660 Please call us at (212) or email Sincerely, Kent Fred Public Spaces for President, Project enjoys perhaps the highest use and best mainte perhaps enjoys in America. urban park nance of any than 200 on more Since then, PPS has worked perspec bring a unique We York. in New projects streets, parks, of how knowledge based on our tive civic buildings, transit stations and public markets, people, yielding used by districts are commercial places these transformed that have improvements all five large and small across both in neighborhoods boroughs. of future the improve Let’s together... York New in creating great places are interested If you help push this agenda to and want York in New hear from you. very to much would like we forward, a resource, act as been to Our role has always work and source of inspiration as we facilitator, with leaders, individuals and communities trying change happen. make to ler Center and Bryant and Our recommendations ler Center Park. helped Channel Gardens Center’s Rockefeller for public use of about wariness corporate transform that with good management, urban plazas, showing these spaces can benefit businesses as well as report, PPS’s the public. And in 1981, Intimidation or Recreation? creating a place that today in motion, turnaround - - roject for Public Spaces found its inspiration its inspiration Public Spaces found for roject to in 1975 Formed York. of New in the streets of the transformations that took root over the next the next over root that took of the transformations fifteen years, including the turnarounds of Rockefel This work follows in the wake of numerous New York York New of numerous in the wake follows This work engaged us since our inception. that have projects up our firstWhen PPS set office over thirty years nearing its was York New Center, ago, in Rockefeller many for the foundation lay ebb. PPS helped lowest who are working together to bring long-overdue, bring long-overdue, to together who are working our neighborhood to common sense improvements Vision A New Streets: “Livable The exhibition streets. at the Municipal has been displayed York” New for the Condé Nast Building, and as partArt of Society, 2006 (October). York Open House New Campaign (www.nycstreets.org) together with together (www.nycstreets.org) Campaign and (www.transalt.org) Alternatives Transportation The (www.openplans.org). Project Planning Open The coalition of community a growing involves campaign officials, elected groups, business leaders, and the five across concerned citizens from boroughs PPS is committed to shaping shaping to the committed for is PPS agenda space public a city. the recently PPS is spearheading today, York In New Renaissance City Streets York launched New our home city. Eventually we found our expertise in found we Eventually our home city. in more worked As we the world. demand all over a richer understand developed and more cities, we use back be put to ing of public spaces that begs to York. in New P Streetlife apply the lessons of William H. Whyte’s we the U.S., spaces around public to Project afield us far on a mission that took embarked from Together We Can Make New York York New Make Can We Places Together Great of City a Above: Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn Parkway, Eastern Above: About Project for Public Spaces Project for Public Spaces (PPS) is an internationally recognized nonprofit organization that applies a community-based approach to the development and revitalization of cities and neighborhoods. We work with public- and private-sector organizations, including government agencies, NGOs, and foundations. We have worked with over 1500 communities in 48 states and 26 countries to improve their parks, main streets, commercial corridors, public markets, transit stations, libraries, and countless other public spaces.

Recent Projects

Detroit 300 Conservancy: Developed the concept for a new central square, Campus Martius Park.

City of Mississauga, Ontario: Engaged 400+ residents and city staff in a civic center revitalization initiative that led to the creation of a new public department, “Building a City for the 21st Century.”

Ford and Kellogg Foundations: Developed a national funding initiative to broaden the social and economic impacts of public markets and farmers markets in low-income communities.

New Jersey DOT: Trained hundreds of trafﬁc engineers how to design streets that balance the needs of pedestrians and cars. Visit us on the web Federal Highway Administration: Launched and operated an online at www.pps.org for clearinghouse of information about Context Sensitive Solutions. more information U.S. General Services Administration: Fostered partnerships to revitalize over 20 public buildings in downtowns across the country, and created a step-by-step guide for federal property managers to enhance the public spaces in and around their facilities.

International Projects 700 Broadway, 4th Floor Our current international work ranges from small-scale initiatives helping New York, New York 10003 towns in Croatia and Serbia use public spaces to rebuild local economies T (212) 620-5660 F (212) 620-3821 and strengthen civil society, to public space planning for multi-billion www.pps.org dollar development projects in Hong Kong and Dubai.