“You can measure the health of a city by the vitality and energy of its streets and public open spaces.” -- William H. Whyte

Since 2002, City Planning has been promoting the creation of new public spaces around the city. These spaces can be plazas, waterfront esplanades or new parks such as the High Line. For all of these initiatives, City Planning has established design standards to ensure that open spaces around the city are inviting, accessible, vibrant and safe. In addition to these new spaces, the agency has been greening the city wherever it can.

Privately Owned Public Spaces (Citywide)

Waterfront Design Guidelines Text Amendment (Citywide)

Small Sidewalk Cafes (Manhattan)

Street Tree Planting (Citywide)

Yards (Citywide)

West Chelsea/High Line (Manhattan)

East River Waterfront (Manhattan)

Downtown Brooklyn (Brooklyn)

Fresh Kills Park (Staten Island)

Special Natural Area District (Staten Island)