Key Elements
Visually enhanced pedestrian space, maximizing comfort and active uses.
Furniture, generally movable seating and tables for maximum flexibility.
Extended areas for open-air activities.
Goals
- Create a pedestrian destination.
- Improve walkability.
- Improve access to transit.
- Enhance vehicular and pedestrian safety.
- Support local development and build community partnerships.
- Preserve and promote neighborhood character
Lessons Learned
The Plaza Program is a cost-effective measure to provides amenities that support social gathering, increase a sense of place, and enhance pedestrian movement and safety.
The program builds support for changes through temporary surface treatments, utilizing interim changes to collect data to support permanent change.
Facilitating new public space through an application process allows communities to ask for plazas in their neighborhoods.
Involvement
NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of City Planning, Department of Design and Construction, private partnerships, citizen associations, advocacy
groups, and Business Improvement Districts.

Pearl Street, New York. Underutilized spaces used for parking.

Pearl Street, New York. Plaza activated with seating and planting.