Founded in 1999, Open Plans promotes civic engagement for livable streets. Our tools — information, education, and activation — empower residents to shape their communities.

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Featured
School's out in the streets!
School's out in the streets!

Our new report "School's Out in the Streets!" offers a roadmap for expanding school streets citywide. Based on our work with partner schools, it shares best practices from three case studies and policy recommendations for the Mamdani administration's first 100 days—showing how permanent infrastructure, dedicated funding, and staffing support can transform this promising program into School Streets for All.

No Cars, Just Carols
No Cars, Just Carols

The Car-Free Carolers returned to 34th Avenue Open Street in Jackson Heights on December 15th, transforming holiday classics into songs about safe streets and urban utopias. Using humor and music, the performers made a serious point: streets can become great places for people, not just traffic and tailpipes. Check out their performances that envision a car-free future.

New Reports

School's Out in the Streets Report Cover
January 2026
School's Out in the Streets: A Path Towards School Streets for All in New York City

School Streets are an opportunity to activate our streets for joy while making them safer. In this report, we lay out ways the City can make the program more effective and ambitious.

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Hit the Brakes Report Cover
October 2025
Hit the Brakes: Understanding and reducing vehicle miles traveled in NYC

This report urges NYC to set a citywide goal to reduce driving, invest in tools for measuring VMT, reconsider policies that increase driving, and adopt proven strategies that reduce optional driving.

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Managing the Chaos Report Cover
September 2025
Managing the Chaos: A Progress Report on New York City's Curb Management

Two years after NYC DOT's Curb Management Action Plan, we evaluated the progress made and outline the work still needed to make our curbs work for all New Yorkers.

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Explore our complete research archive

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Featured
School’s Out in the Streets: A Path Towards School Streets for All in New York City
School’s Out in the Streets: A Path Towards School Streets for All in New York City

School Streets are an opportunity to activate our streets for joy while making them safer. In this report, we lay out ways the City can make the program more effective and ambitious.

Read More →
Looking ahead to January and the incoming Mamdani administration
Looking ahead to January and the incoming Mamdani administration

Our comprehensive plan for Mayor-elect Mamdani's administration to create safer, greener, more vibrant streets in every neighborhood—from Low Traffic Neighborhoods to School Streets and beyond.

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Hit the Brakes: Understanding and Reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled in NYC
Hit the Brakes: Understanding and Reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled in NYC

This report urges NYC to set a citywide goal to reduce driving, invest in tools for measuring VMT, reconsider policies that increase driving, and adopt proven strategies that reduce optional driving.

Read More →