Since the pandemic inspired a reimagining of city streets, North Brooklyn has emerged as a hotbed of street improvements and people-centered streets. Catalyzed by dedicated neighbors and organizations rallying together, many separate Open Streets, public plazas, street redesigns and activations have grown in the neighborhood, creating a network of people-centered spaces and a sense that North Brooklyn is reclaiming their streets and their community.

When you join your Community Board, you become a part of the conversations that shape your neighborhood. You don’t have to own property to be a CB member, you just need to live or work within the district. Your neighborhood needs diverse voices like yours!

Starting today, you can decide who wins the final award at our Public Space Awards on Thursday, February 29th! Our People’s Choice poll will crown one Public Space Activator and it's up to New Yorkers like you to tell us who should win. Polls are open now!

For this year’s Public Space Awards, we have chosen four fabulous movers-and-shakers in the public realm to receive awards on Thursday, Feb. 29th. But there’s one awardee who hasn’t been decided yet, and that’s because YOU get to do the deciding!

There’s a process underway on the Upper West Side that aims to tackle a vexing inequity and inefficiency on New York City streets, and we’re pretty excited about its potential. The NYC DOT is conducting a Smart Curbs Pilot with the goal of rebalancing curb use to benefit all New Yorkers, not just the minority who own cars.

DOT’s Summer Streets gave NYC our first look at large-scale people-centered streets; the 2023 expansion to all five boroughs and more weekends is why DOT is our Citywide Transformation award winner!

We interview Kenneth Mbonu, who cares for community and public space in his position with the Flatbush Nostrand Junction Business Improvement District - our winner for Neighborhood Champion at this year’s Public Space Awards on February 29th.

February probably isn't most people's favorite time of year. It's been cold for so long and spring seems so far off. One of few holidays is Valentine's Day? Which is not universally loved. But these days I love February and those late-winter feels, because that's when we hold our annual Public Space Awards at Open Plans.

Not only did Open Plans meet its goal to raise public support from 350 donors in the year end season, this awesome community stepped up above and beyond for our best year-end fundraising campaign ever!

As a nonprofit organization, nearly all of Open Plans’ income is from our community of generous donors; a community that has continued to evolve and expand, much like our impact on the city.

Each and every day, we talk to New Yorkers about their experiences living, working, and playing in this city. And, each and every day, we fight to make those experiences more connective, joyful, beautiful, and safe.

Streetfilms producer Clarence Eckerson shares videos from 20 years of documenting daylighting in New York City. Daylighting is having a moment right now - but these videos show that its benefits have always been on display in certain areas.

Do you hear that in the distance? Is it sleigh bells? The tinkling piano of a holiday party? No, actually, it’s 40% more delivery trucks circling our city blocks looking for a place to unload holiday freight - and not finding one. Online shopping skyrockets this time of year, bringing many more trucks to the streets. But the problems don’t stop with increased congestion.

Intern turned fulltime team member Sabina Unni talks about her early career development at Open Plans, and the impact of her work that she sees and hears everyday as she works with schools across New York City.

Tape becomes a tool for community building, creativity, and outside-the-box thinking in artist Kuki Go’s life-size street murals.