Open Plans

"The mayor has made clear that the streets should serve people — not just vehicles." This is a win for EVERYONE! Year-round outdoor dining means that NYers get vibrant streets to enjoy for longer & that small businesses can be part of this program too! 🧡

1/ New: Join us 3/25 @NYLawSchool for a discussion on the future of driverless cars in New York City

Join @saraklind at ✨The Road to Driverless Cars✨ organized by New York Law School! A discussion on driverless cars & their policy, legal, and social implications for NYC’s streetscape, economy, labor force, & public safety. 📆 March 25 | 8:30 AM RSVP: nyls.wufoo.com/forms/the-road…

Mark your calendars! It’s time to talk about the future of 14th Street. Save the date for our first public workshop and help shape what’s next. 🗓️Wednesday, March 25 ⏰4:00PM – 7:00PM 📍@prattinstitute, 144 W 14th ST, 2nd Fl Learn More: on.nyc.gov/14street

We are hiring a Community Organizer! We are seeking an energetic, driven person to join StreetopiaUWS. This role involves building community relationships, attending public meetings, and connecting Upper West Side residents to our campaigns. Apply: openplans.org/careers

NYers are already enjoying the weather at sidewalk cafes and we could have the opportunity to have even more of this with year-round curbside dining. 🧡 📢 Ask for year-round outdoor dining: action.openplans.org/support-year-r…

We agree — permitting must be easier for local groups and neighbors to put on street events that make our city more vibrant. Far too much red tape exists for organizations, presenting a massive barrier to activating our streets. Cut the red tape and untap our potential!

"Being sandwiched between suburbs doesn’t make Bronx children any less deserving of clean air or safe places to learn and play. "Officials have a duty to right the wrongs of the past, not repeat them." @NYSenatorRivera + AM @AmandaSeptimo -> @GovKathyHochul

This week, we gathered to envision a Brooklyn with Low Traffic Neighborhoods with the Brooklyn Borough President’s office @ReynosoBrooklyn. The room was full of people who care about calmer, quieter, more livable neighborhoods. 🧡 ✉️ Ask for LTNs: action.openplans.org/bring-low-traf…

"Sabina Sethi Unni, an urban planner at Open Plans, an advocacy group promoting the implementation of school streets in NY, says the Paris case study has been inspiring. She expects the number to increase 'significantly' under [the new administration]." on.ft.com/4aLDp4X

Maryam Banikarim & Andy Lerner, founders of The Longest Table & this year's Most Inspiring Community Connectors! 🎉 Join us this April 23 to celebrate them and everyone making our streets and public spaces thrive. 🎟️ Get your tickets: openplans.org/public-space-a…

With all the congestion New York City deals with, faster buses will be an uphill battle UNLESS the Streets Plan includes a goal to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT).

The New York State DOT is planning to add a shoulder to the Cross Bronx Expressway, but residents in the housing complex right by the road are concerned about further health and quality of life impacts. Read more: specne.ws/bz3yDN

Thank you @ShahanaFromBK for raising this important question! We're glad to hear that Commissioner Mike Flynn is committed to not only creating public spaces, but maintaining them too. Our Public Space Management report has recommendations to do just that: openplans.org/framework-for-…

📢 We urge our leaders to make the right decision and bring back year-round outdoor dining once and for all. 👉🏼 Show your support for year-round outdoor dining by sending a letter: action.openplans.org/support-year-r…

We’re thrilled to hear Commissioner Mike Flynn confirm that @NYC_DOT supports Int 655 to make outdoor dining year-round! @LincolnRestler @SpeakerMenin let’s get this passed asap before the new season begins!

And to support the Streets Plan, the Council should pass Res. 141, which would give NYC the authority to better automatically enforce our curbs. Expanding automated enforcement is already a stated goal in the Streets Plan, but the City needs State permission to make it happen.

The DOT should also ✨expand the School Streets program✨ with the goal to establish School Plaza Blocks. An incredibly beneficial program, yet it's far from reaching its full potential. And ✨universal daylighting✨, which is a no-brainer. The City should pass Int. 511 already.

What the updated Streets Plan should include: Five ✨Low Traffic Neighborhoods✨ in each borough by 2023 would limit cars using local streets as shortcuts, and help reach several key goals in the Streets Plan: safer, more accessible streets for pedestrians and cyclists. 🚶🏻‍♂️🚴🏾‍♀️