From intern to Schools Planner: a conversation with Sabina Sethi Unni

At Open Plans, we know that the work of changing New York City streets and public spaces is a long game. We’ve been doing it for 20+ years – and there is easily 20 years’ worth of work ahead. To feed the engine of progress, our movement needs to create entry points into careers in advocacy, community organizing, people-centered urban planning, and more. 

We’re so happy to share this conversation with our colleague Sabina Sethi Unni, where she talks about her path from Open Plans intern to Schools Planner, a recent breakthrough in a Bronx neighborhood, and the value of human connection.

Open Plans: What made you start thinking about streets and public spaces as an avenue for change?
Sabina Sethi Unni: I was working on policy and organizing for Shahana Hanif’s campaign for New York City Council when I realized that the way to make change around a lot of issues I cared about – school segregation, housing justice, environmental justice – was through urban planning and land use. 

OP: And this inspired you to pursue a master’s degree in urban planning?
Sabina: Yes. There was all this language and technical information I wanted to learn, because I could see this is where the levers of power are and this is how change actually happens in cities. Specifically for my role as Schools Planner, I grew up on Long Island, where my aunt and grandparents run a preschool/daycare on a really busy high traffic street. I realized that actually so many schools are in areas that are dangerous for students, and that doesn’t make any sense.

OP: Tell us about your journey from intern to Schools Planner!
Sabina: Urban planning and policy can feel like a very exclusive world. When I was on CM Hanif’s campaign, I connected with Open Plans’ Director of Advocacy and Organizing, Jackson Chabot, on social, and I decided to take a chance and message him to ask about Open Plans. I was really nervous! I didn’t know what to ask and was so afraid it would be awkward, but he was so nice and encouraging and really generous with his time. 

OP: It’s awesome that you took that leap of faith and reached out. A good reminder to take chances and to bring a positive attitude to potential opportunities.
Sabina: Totally. Jackson said he would keep me in mind if any opportunities opened up in the future. A few months later, he told me that Open Plans would be hiring for a summer internship program, and I applied. It was a really fun interview process. Sometimes you interview, and the interviewers are just talking about themselves – but Lisa asked me a lot of questions about my organizing experience and interests. It was really validating. 

I also appreciated that not everyone at Open Plans had a linear path to the work – my own path was windy, and my cohort also had really diverse backgrounds! From the ages of the interns to their backgrounds, everyone came to it from a different perspective. 

During my internship, I worked on a toolkit for School Streets, looking at the application process and assessing how to make it easier. That experience turned into a part-time position in the fall, when I went back to finish my Master’s program. And once I graduated, OP offered me a full-time role, which felt like a natural transition.

OP: And how has the work been going?
Sabina: Well, to be honest we hear a lot of heavy criticism at Open Plans. Which is really good! This fall has been a lot of cold outreach to schools, presenting at community boards and PTAs, about the School Street program and the services Open Plans offers to help schools in car-heavy, low-income, or otherwise underserved areas obtain safer spaces for their students. My proposals might take things away that people love – like parking spots. I’m presenting to all these different kinds of community groups, and I’m assuming most people will not be fans and have a lot of questions. 

But I’m from Long Island, so I think I’m a lot more sympathetic to daily drivers. I get it! There are a lot of transit inequities, and sometimes there is no other choice. I do think Open Plans gets that. We’re looking at long-term behavior changes, focusing on the good, and making compromises in the name of progress. 

OP: That sounds hard!
Sabina: It can be. But recently I got a note from one principal in Belmont, a neighborhood in the Bronx, who basically asked me, “What’s the catch?!” She couldn’t believe Open Plans was offering to help her school by filling out the applications for them and supporting them through the whole process. She talked about how their students don’t have the opportunity to play outside, and if they do play outside, it’s either very dangerous because of the heavy car traffic, or they have to travel out of the neighborhood to get to a safe public space. She told me the services we were offering – for free! – were life-giving to our students. And I felt so lucky to be doing this tangible work!

OP: And isn’t that human connection really the point?!
Sabina: Exactly. Another thing I do is go around the neighborhood and knock on every door of every house, business, church, etc. for a new School Street campaign. The first time I did it, I was worried that people might hate the idea – but I found that people care about students and kids. People might be really mean on the internet, but that face-to-face, human-to-human interaction is totally different. And it makes a real difference!

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