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
Newsletter: One weird trick to sabotage City of Yes
Newsletter: One weird trick to sabotage City of Yes

Halloween has to be one of our most public space-y holidays, right? It's all about strolling your neighborhood, seeing and being seen, soaking up the festival atmosphere as you visit with fellow revelers. This tradition hinges on having a walkable community where people aren't too far apart, you know the folks who live next door, and the sidewalks and streets are safe for kids to wander at night. In other words - it hinges on livability.

Parking mandates by the numbers
Parking mandates by the numbers

We’ve talked a lot during the lengthy public review process about why lifting parking mandates in City of Yes is crucial to building more affordable housing and a more livable city. With a just a few weeks left before City Council votes on a final version of this historic text amendment, we want to talk specifics.

Newsletter: Halloween is our public space holiday 🎃👻🍫
Newsletter: Halloween is our public space holiday 🎃👻🍫

Halloween has to be one of our most public space-y holidays, right? It's all about strolling your neighborhood, seeing and being seen, soaking up the festival atmosphere as you visit with fellow revelers. This tradition hinges on having a walkable community where people aren't too far apart, you know the folks who live next door, and the sidewalks and streets are safe for kids to wander at night. In other words - it hinges on livability.

The power couple behind a powerfully simple communal event
The power couple behind a powerfully simple communal event

We sat down with Maryam and Andy, the couple behind The Longest Table, a joyous community potluck that draws 1,000 people to their Chelsea block. Learn more about their simple-yet-powerful approach to building community in public space.

NYC must start congestion pricing NOW before Trump cancels it for good

Every day without congestion pricing means more gridlock on our streets and less funding for vital transit. Trump's threats put both solutions in jeopardy.
Featured
Managing Public Space for Equity, Safety & Joy
Managing Public Space for Equity, Safety & Joy

We're reimagining the future of New York City's public realm with a framework where well-managed public spaces are the norm, not the exception.

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Streets built for children to play, learn, & thrive
Streets built for children to play, learn, & thrive

Every New York City school is eligible for safe, car-free space near their building! Our School Streets Toolkit helps them get it.

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Lifting Parking Mandates in New York City
Lifting Parking Mandates in New York City

To address our housing crisis, improve livability, spur economic development, and reduce the impact of climate change, it is vital that the City lift parking mandates citywide.

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