New York: City Streets

The event titled 'New York: City Streets' provides a comprehensive exploration of New York City's ongoing transformation of its streets into vibrant public spaces. This three-day program invites participants to engage directly with the city’s innovative urban design efforts, meeting key figures who have shaped these initiatives. Led by Alison Sant, an urbanist and author, the course will analyze New York's approach to prioritizing people over vehicles, with a focus on successful projects such as the pedestrianization of Times Square and the creation of public plazas. Participants will gain insights into how community groups and advocacy organizations contribute to these transformations and the impact of pandemic-era programs like Open Streets and outdoor dining initiatives.Throughout the event, attendees will explore various neighborhoods and initiatives, including the 34th Avenue Open Street and Corona Plaza’s vendor program in Queens. The program will feature walking and biking tours, allowing participants to experience firsthand the city’s bike infrastructure and the Brooklyn Greenway, as well as the expansion of Citibike, the largest bike-share program in the nation. Discussions will also delve into the challenges of congestion pricing and its role in funding public transit improvements. The event will include a diverse lineup of speakers, including Tiffany-Ann Taylor from the Regional Plan Association, landscape ecologist Eric W. Sanderson, and transportation advocate Clarence Eckerson Jr., among others. Their collective expertise will provide a rich context for understanding the environmental and social dimensions of urban transformation in New York City. The program promises to equip participants with valuable insights and strategies to apply in their own cities, fostering a dialogue on creating equitable, climate-resilient urban environments.