Feature Story:

Nine Ways to Transform New York into a City of Great Places

Museum Mile Festival, 5th Avenue

Although New York prides itself on its public life, New Yorkers inhabit a public realm that pales beside what it could become. "After working in cities around the world, we've developed a rich understanding of public spaces that begs to be put to use back in our home town," explains PPS President Fred Kent. "New York can benefit from our experience and become an even greater city in the 21st century."

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Beginning in 2003, PPS has released a series of commentaries covering London, Paris, Barcelona, and now, New York, which address the major problems facing the public spaces of each city and outline a path forward. With the release of the New York City Commentary, we have fine-tuned this format so that it may serve as a template for restructuring city agencies and professional disciplines around the idea of Placemaking. We envision future commentaries as documents that can jumpstart a Great Cities Initiative in cities and towns that want to develop around places.

We hope New Yorkers, visitors to the city, and people who have never been to New York will find this commentary enlightening. You can download a condensed version as a PDF.

Also in this Issue:

What Makes New York a Great City

New York is a great city for two important reasons--its wealth of public destinations and the energy of its citizens.

The Choice New York Faces

How the city can make the right decisions regarding traffic and the role of government.

Great Public Spaces of New York

These are the places that uphold the lofty expectations of people coming to the city for the first time and maintain New York's reputation as a thriving urban center.

The Big Apple Hall of Shame

In New York, the line that separates the best places from the worst is surprisingly thin. With better management and a re-ordering of priorities, many shameful places could make the leap to become Great Public Spaces.

New York's Public Space Opportunities

New York is filled with well-known places and districts that fall short as public destinations. Improving them will give the city the biggest bang for its buck.

Think Big: How to Address Citywide Conditions

Tackling these challenges will show that New York still has bold ideas for improving its public realm.

Discovering New York's Hidden Gems

These unheralded places connect New Yorkers to their neighbors and the public life of their communities.

Re-Imagining Downtown Brooklyn

...and other opportunities for the outer boroughs.