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Working to Reclaim Public Space for the Public Good on the UWS

It may not look like much, but this is the beginning of a revolution at the curb (Images/graphics: StreetopiaUWS)

There's something profound happening in Upper Manhattan that will change—for the better—the way every New Yorker experiences our streets. 

The Department of Sanitation, with support from Council Member Shaun Abreu, has been implementing a trash containerization pilot program intended to get those piles of leaky, smelly, plastic garbage bags off of sidewalks and into containers in the street. And it's working!

New York City has historically been slow to undo a half century of piles of trash choking our sidewalks. Siloed city agencies and bureaucratic inertia are mostly to blame, which is why this latest effort is so momentous. Your support could really make a difference!

The pilot that's currently underway—color-coded dumpsters and retrofitted sanitation trucks—won't be the final design. But the data collected will be invaluable to improving the program before taking it citywide. And this effort represents a crucial shift in our understanding of how the curb lane can be used for the collective benefit of the community rather than the individual benefit of a few. 

Of course, any long term solution to our trash problem will have to involve producing much less waste in the first place. But the trash we do make should be handled in a way that enhances the public realm, and this pilot is a step in that direction.

Cities around the world figured this out long ago, and it’s exciting we're finally getting on board. Click the button below to send a letter to the Department of Sanitation and elected officials supporting trash containerization in the curb lane.

Livable Streets News You Can Use 

We spoke last month with Carole Maisonneuve, a parent organizer of the Manhattan Country School bike bus, about childhood independence, transportation equity, and how the simple act of riding a bike to school has become a form of activism. It's a joyful and inspiring look inside this growing movement.  READ >

The NYC Department of Transportation recently released their Curb Management Action Plan, and there's a lot to like. For starters, this: "As a City, we have come to realize that the curb lane is valuable public space that should benefit all New Yorkers, not just those who own cars." Yes, please!  READ >

Open Plans' 2024 Legislative Agenda takes a look at four key policy areas—joyful and equitable public space, curb reform, livable streets, and parking reform. Action in these areas from elected officials and city agencies can move us closer to a public realm that work for all New Yorkers.  READ >

Take action and make change

✅  People over Parking – Did you know that NYC requires most new buildings to include a minimum number parking spaces? In other words, developers in NYC are required to build homes for cars, which means fewer homes for people. But there's momentum to change that, and you can help by submitting a letter in support of lifting parking mandates. – SUBMIT A LETTER >

✅  School Streets are Good for Kids – The school year is a couple month old, but it's not too late to apply for an open street at your local school. This DOT program allows schools and community groups to use the street in front of schools on school days, closing it to cars, which means more space for students, less noise & air pollution, and safer pick-up and drop-off. – VIEW THE TOOLKIT > 

Items of interest

🔘  The La Salle Open Street wrapped up another successful season connecting neighbors and building community. – LINK >

🔘  American car-centricity doesn’t have to be our destiny. – LINK >

🔘  Another reminder that EVs won't save us (and may actually make some things worse). – LINK > 

🔘  Any serious discussion of transportation equity needs to include how incredibly expensive it is to own a car. – LINK >

🔘  According to science, people who get around by bike are better citizens than those who drive. – LINK >

Happenings on and around local streets

🗓  Halloween Family Bike Ride – You know what's scary? Trying to get across town on a bicycle. Join this family-friendly ride to call attention to the urgent need for a protected and connected crosstown bike network. Costumes welcome! – Sunday, October 29 from 9:30am to 2pm. Register at the link for location details. – LINK > 

🗓  Trick or Streets – It's time for DOT's second annual Halloween-themed open streets – the nearest spooky street is on Frederick Douglass Boulevard, from West 120th to West 112th on Sunday, October 29, from 12:00pm to 11:00pm. – LINK >

🗓  Columbus Avenue Open Street – This is the last Sunday of the year to enjoy the Columbus Avenue BID's Open Street. We'll be there with goodies, so stop by and talk to us about livable streets. – Columbus Ave (West 68th to West 77th), Sunday, October 29, from 11:00am to 7:00pm. – LINK > 

Pass it on

"You will have people against what you want to do in your city. That doesn't mean you should not do it."

– Charlotte Guth, Head of Cycling for the City of Paris on what mayoral leadership looks like.

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New York, NY 10013

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