Streetfilms: Paris goes all in on streets designed for safety, comfort & convenience
This batch of Streetfilms chronicles Paris’s swiftly changing streets as the city boldly implements Mayor Hidalgo’s vision for a modern, people-centered city where cars are mere guests.
Corona Plaza: a bustling hub & a portal to New York’s iconic cultural & culinary diversity
The iconic Corona Plaza has become far more than a mere paved space or collection of food vendors — it is a cultural hub and destination for Queens and the city at-large. Consistently named on lists of New York bests, including the New York Times Top 100 Restaurants list, Corona Plaza is a place like no other.
Newsletter: 🌞 Summer internships, counting down to the Public Space Awards, Idle-Free Schools, and more!
Students can now apply for a summer internship at Open Plans! Our interns dive into hands-on projects that put them at the center of the livability world, working closely with Open Plans staff, meeting stakeholders across the city , and working on projects that directly impact our streets and public spaces.
You have less than a week to vote for your People’s Choice Awardee
It's up to New Yorkers like you to tell us who should win this year's Best Public Space Activator award at February 29th's Public Space Awards! Polls close this Sunday, February 25th and we'll announce the winner LIVE during the awards.
How North Brooklyn advocates brought steady, transformative change to their streets
Since the pandemic inspired a reimagining of city streets, North Brooklyn has emerged as a hotbed of street improvements and people-centered streets. Catalyzed by dedicated neighbors and organizations rallying together, many separate Open Streets, public plazas, street redesigns and activations have grown in the neighborhood, creating a network of people-centered spaces and a sense that North Brooklyn is reclaiming their streets and their community.
Newsletter: We'll help you apply to your Community Board | The deadline is soon!
When you join your Community Board, you become a part of the conversations that shape your neighborhood. You don’t have to own property to be a CB member, you just need to live or work within the district. Your neighborhood needs diverse voices like yours!
Polls are open! 📨 Vote for 2024's best Public Space Activator
Starting today, you can decide who wins the final award at our Public Space Awards on Thursday, February 29th! Our People’s Choice poll will crown one Public Space Activator and it's up to New Yorkers like you to tell us who should win. Polls are open now!
Vote now! The People’s Choice Public Space Activator Award needs your input
For this year’s Public Space Awards, we have chosen four fabulous movers-and-shakers in the public realm to receive awards on Thursday, Feb. 29th. But there’s one awardee who hasn’t been decided yet, and that’s because YOU get to do the deciding!
Newsletter: Changing minds - & curbs - on the UWS
There’s a process underway on the Upper West Side that aims to tackle a vexing inequity and inefficiency on New York City streets, and we’re pretty excited about its potential. The NYC DOT is conducting a Smart Curbs Pilot with the goal of rebalancing curb use to benefit all New Yorkers, not just the minority who own cars.
Three cheers for Summer Streets! Another 2024 Public Space Awardee
DOT’s Summer Streets gave NYC our first look at large-scale people-centered streets; the 2023 expansion to all five boroughs and more weekends is why DOT is our Citywide Transformation award winner!
Community meets culture & commerce with the Flatbush Nostrand Junction BID
We interview Kenneth Mbonu, who cares for community and public space in his position with the Flatbush Nostrand Junction Business Improvement District - our winner for Neighborhood Champion at this year’s Public Space Awards on February 29th.
Newsletter: Your ticket to February's nicest, New Yorkiest event 🎟
February probably isn't most people's favorite time of year. It's been cold for so long and spring seems so far off. One of few holidays is Valentine's Day? Which is not universally loved. But these days I love February and those late-winter feels, because that's when we hold our annual Public Space Awards at Open Plans.
Thank you, we did it! 🥳
Not only did Open Plans meet its goal to raise public support from 350 donors in the year end season, this awesome community stepped up above and beyond for our best year-end fundraising campaign ever!
We are so close! 🏁
As a nonprofit organization, nearly all of Open Plans’ income is from our community of generous donors; a community that has continued to evolve and expand, much like our impact on the city.
You are helping to build a new era
Each and every day, we talk to New Yorkers about their experiences living, working, and playing in this city. And, each and every day, we fight to make those experiences more connective, joyful, beautiful, and safe.