World Class Streets

World Class
Streets:
Remaking New York

Citys Public Realm
CONTENTS
2 Letter from the Mayor
3 Letter from Commissioner
6 World Class Streets:

Remaking New York Citys Public Realm
14 How Do People Use New York Streets?

36 New York Citys World Class Streets Program
53 Acknowledgments
54 Additional Resources and Contacts
World Class Streets: Remaking New York Citys Public Realm
New York City Department of Transportation
Letter from the MAYOR
Letter from the Commissioner
Dear Friends:
In 2007, our Administration launched PlaNYC, our
long term plan to create a greener, greater New York.
One of the challenges PlaNYC poses to city agencies is
to re-imagine the Citys public realm to develop an
urban environment that transforms our streets and
squares into more people-friendly places.
With 6,000 miles of City streets under its
management, the Department of Transportation is on
the front line of this effortand it is succeeding in
spectacular fashion.
Through new initiatives such as Broadway Boulevard,
the Public Plaza Program, Coordinated Street Furniture,
and Summer Streets, we are finding creative new ways
to make our streets more attractive to pedestrians and
cyclistsand those who wish to sit and relax and soak in
the City. This report outlines the challenges we face
and describes the many programs underway that are
designed to bring even more life to our World Class
Streets.
The business and environmental cases for improving
the quality of our public realm are clear. Streets that help
create and strengthen communities and businesses, in
addition to connecting neighborhoods to one another,
are an essential component of the Citys overall
sustainability strategy. Quality of life policies will enable
the City to continue to grow its economy and retain more
residents as they raise families and grow older, and it will
even lead New Yorkers to spend more of the leisure time
in the city. By attracting and retaining more residents, we
will also help fight climate change. Mass transit- and
pedestrian-oriented cities like New York help reduce
suburban sprawl and the higher levels of carbon
emissions that come with it.
Dear fellow New Yorkers:

Finally, its no accident that New York Citys merchant
communities focus heavily on streetscape quality
through their local Business Improvement Districts,
which we have worked hard to expand and support. For
storefront businesses, welcoming, attractive streets can
spell the difference between growth and just getting by.
Today, our Administration is dramatically extending the
streetscape improvements that many organizations have
been able to create locally.
New York has the most famous streets in the world.
Now, were working to make them the most attractive
streets in the world for walking and cycling and that
other great New York sport, people-watching.
Sincerely,
Michael R. Bloomberg
Mayor
Famous images of New York nearly all emphasize the

citys skylinethe high rise metropolis seen from a mile
distant or 5,000 feet up. Few who attempt to capture
the citys uniqueness or character in a single frame seek
it from the most basic human point of viewthat of the
pedestrian walking down the street.
Why is this? In a look at Paris, for instance, the
streetscapes of the Champs-Elysees and its central
pedestrian precincts will surely be featured. A view of
Barcelona will inevitably include a street-level
perspective on Las Ramblas and of its new and re-made
public squares.
Until now, the City has not embraced a broad strategy
for developing and caring for the public realmthe space
between buildingsas an important element of public
policy. Indeed, despite so much change for the better
during the citys renaissance of the past several decades,
our streetscape remains broadly utilitarian, with little
change in appearance or feel from the 1970s.
World Class Streets amplifies the look at street design
in NYCDOTs Sustainable Streets strategic plan, and will
serve as a companion volume to the new New York City
Street Design Manual we will issue in early 2009.
In this report, findings from a Public Space/

Public Life Survey conducted by the world-renowned
Gehl Architects/Urban Quality Consultants in Fall 2007
provide the starting point. Following Gehls analysis, we
lay out the wide range of ambitious programs that
NYCDOT has set in motion to change the citys approach
and that will allow us to build on New York Citys
tremendous and ever-present potential.
Sincerely,
Janette Sadik-Khan
Commissioner
Public Realm/
World Class Street Strategies
World Class Streets:

Remaking New York Citys
Public Realm
This report is part of an ambitious and far reaching effort to place
New York at the forefront of urban development. It builds on two previous
plans: PlaNYC, Mayor Bloombergs comprehensive sustainability plan,
Plaza program
World class boulevards
Complete streets
projects and design
standards
Public art program
Long Range
Sustainability Plan
New streetscape
materials
Coordinated street
furniture program
Weekend pedestrian
and cycling streets
New Transportation
Policy & Priorities
and Sustainable Streets, NYCDOTs strategic plan. While the previous

reports were comprehensive in scope, this document focuses solely on the
NYCDOT public realm strategies listed at right.
I]Z8^ind[CZlNdg`
BVndgB^X]VZaG#7addbWZg\
Reimagining
the City
Cities are becoming greener
and people-oriented
Many cities today are using their public
spaces in ways they havent in decades.
During the twentieth century, many
cities redesigned their central areas to
better accommodate vehicular traffic
and commuters who had moved to the
suburbs. Today, however, many cities
have rediscovered the advantages of
their dense historic forms. In many, public
life is being carefully supported through
pedestrian, bicycling and public space
improvements. People in all parts of the
world have responded enthusiastically to
these new opportunities to celebrate the
public realm.
8
8
Strget, pedestrian priority street, Copenhagen.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
A better city, step by step

Copenhagens old main street was
pedestrianized in 1962, marking the start
of an extensive city renovation. Over the
next four decades, many of the streets and
squares in the inner city were gradually
transformed into wholly or partially car-free
spaces. This created excellent conditions
for walking and urban recreation in the city
center. In addition, the gradual reduction
of parking has substantially reduced car
traffic in the city center. At the same time, a
targeted policy to create better conditions
for bicycling has sustained a high level of
personal mobility.
Federation Square, Melbourne.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
Unified policy for vital, highquality public streets

In its street pattern and building mix,
Melbourne is similar to other large cities.
However, over the last few decades, while
other cities redesigned their streets to
accommodate the automobile and developed
indoor shopping malls, Melbourne invited
people to celebrate streets as the citys
most important public spaces. The city
renovated its pavements and street furniture
and developed a policy for active building
facades to make walking an enjoyable
experience.
These renovations had tangible results:
from 1995 to 2005, Melbourne experienced
a 40% increase in pedestrian traffic. The
economic vitality of the city has improved
proportionallyas evidenced by the increase
in jobs, tax revenues, and property values.
Place des Terreaux, Lyon.
LYON, FRANCE
Coordinated public space policy

The city of Lyon formulated a comprehensive
policy in 1989 to create more space for
people. City planners created a large number
of parking spaces under newly renovated
city squares, thus making efficient use of
space and hiding a visually unappealing
land use. In addition, the city has created a
design palette to be used in new projects.
The renovation of the citys main streets and
squares was extended to the suburbs, where
several hundred urban improvement projects
have taken place.
Ice skating at Sommerset House, London.
LONDON, ENGLAND
Place del Paisos Catalans, Barcelona.
BARCELONA, SPAIN
Reducing traffic and generating Visionary thinking and

pioneering public space policy
revenue for the 100 public
spaces program
For the past two decades, Barcelona has
When London introduced congestion pricing
in 2003, it was one of the first steps towards
a more sustainable and people-friendly city.
Traffic in the city center was reduced by
1520%, and revenue was generated for
mass transit and public realm improvements.
At this time, London also created a plan
to become the worlds leading pedestrian
city. A key component is the goal to improve
100 public spaces. Other initiatives
included planting one million new trees,
the development of a new streetscape
design manual, and several smaller scale
interventions to improve the quality of the
pedestrian experience.

been the leading source of inspiration for

architects, landscape architects, urban
planners, and politicians who work with
public spaces. Nowhere in the world can so
many examples of parks and squares be
seen in one place.
Barcelona has been very imaginative in
implementing its public space policy. In the
last decade, several hundred new parks,
squares, and promenades have been created
by tearing down dilapidated apartment
buildings, warehouses and factories, and by
renovating existing squares and regulating
traffic to benefit pedestrians.

1
2
New Yorks
Huge Potential
New York streets are spacious enough
to accommodate many userscars,
pedestrians, cyclists, delivery vehicles,
buses and more. Traditionally, however, the
streets have been designed primarily for
motor vehicle traffic. This policy attracted
an increasing number of vehicles, with
negative effects on congestion and the
overall quality of the public realm.
But New York is a vibrant walking city
with hundreds of major attractions. New
Yorkers will take naturally to additional
public spaces and well-designed, peopleoriented streets.
Trends in Public
Space Activities in
the 21st century
3
4
COMPACT
LIVELY AND DIVERSE
High density
A vibrant city
Fine grained public transport

network
Cultural melting pot of the world
High volumes of pedestrians
A multitude of street parades,

markets, fairs, etc
Efficient street grid
Millions of people on the street

High level of creativity
1 Increased interest in sports and an active,

healthy life style.
2 Increased interest in participation in
cultural events.
3 Increased interest in amenities offered in the
city like the waterfront, nature and fresh air.
4 Increased interest in year-round outdoor
activity.
FIRST CLASS PARKS
New Yorkers cherish their retreats

from a hectic life
ATTRACTIVE WATERWAYS
600 miles of coastline

High quality river promenades
Central Park
Washington Square Park
Prospect Park and many more
10
11
A Walking
(and Bicycling) City
New Yorkers spend a lot of time in the public realm as
a result of the citys density, which promotes walking,
public transit riding and, increasingly, bicycling.
Improving walking conditions will benefit everyone in
New York City, create more pleasant links between
destinations and provide an environment that is
enjoyable as well as functional.
10 min
20 min
5 min
10 min
Most New Yorkers are

never more than a 20
minute walk away from
a subway or train station.
10 min
20 min
3 miles/h
KGL
KGL

KGJC

KGJC
10 min
400 m
0,25 mile
800 m
0,5 mile
Pedestrian Traffic
20 min
1200 m
0,75 mile
1600 m
1,0 mile
5 min
10 min
10 and 20 min walking catchment area to subway and train stations.
10 min
20 min
3 miles/h
10 min
New York has some of the highest volumes of

pedestrians in the world, and New Yorkers flock to
inviting public spaces, such as the Hudson River
Greenway, the car-free parks on weekends and the
new public spaces that NYCDOT created along
Broadway in Midtown Manhattan during 2008.
ca 9 miles/h
20 min
10 min
0m
0 mile
400 m
800 m
0.25 mile 0.5 mile
1200 m
0.75 mile
1600 m
1.0 mile
0m
400 m
800 m
0 mile 0.25 mile 0.5 mile
Calculated Manhattan walking distances shown in minutes.
12
1200 m 1600 m
0.75 mile 1.0 mile
2000 m 2400 m
1.25 mile 1.5 mile
Calculated Manhattan cycling distances shown in minutes.
13
How Do People Use New York Streets?

Public Life Survey
In 2007, New York City DOT contracted with Gehl Architects to conduct
public life surveys of selected sites around the city. Gehl Architects/Urban
Quality Consultants is an internationally renowned urban planning and
design firm, and is credited with helping to turn Copenhagen into one of
the most walkable and bikeable cities in the world.
Gehl Architects has developed a unique field survey technique that

quantifies how people use places in cities. For example, the company
uses pedestrian count and stationary activity surveys to examine detailed
information on where people walk and what they do when stationary, either
as part of daily activities or for recreational purposes.
Gehls data collectors also assess the quality and condition of outdoor
seating, the quality of paving materials, construction-related impacts and
other qualitative factors that affect the public realm.
Results from the public life survey helped formulate much of the citys
strategy for improving streets as public spaces, and can serve as a
baseline against which future surveys can be compared.
14
15
Method for Measuring

Pedestrian Traffic
This part of the study provides information on how
muchand wherepeople walk, sit, stand or carry out
various stationary activities in the city. These are a
good indicator of the quality of an urban space.
A high number of pedestrians walking in a city
does not necessarily indicate a high-quality walking
experience. However, if a large number of people
choose to engage in voluntary activities (having an
outdoor lunch, playing, or sunbathing) then a city most
likely has an excellent public realm.
NYCDOT and Transportation Alternatives recruited
over 40 volunteers to assist the Gehl staff with data
collection in Fall 2007. NYCDOT and Gehl Architects
conducted thorough volunteer orientation sessions
to ensure data was collected in accordance with the
methodology employed by Gehl Architects in cities
around the world.
Gehl and NYCDOT are presently coordinating the
training and transfer of the Public Space/Public Life
survey methology to NYC agencies.
Survey Areas
Selection of public life and
public space survey areas
The vast size and diversity of New York
Citys five boroughs and numerous
neighborhoods make it impractical to
survey the entire city in detail. Instead
DOT suggested survey areas that are
centers of activity along key multimodal corridors. By studying these very
different but vibrant centers of city
life, this survey provides snap shots of
the potentials and challenges found
in the public realm of New York City
today. The study team gained an overall
understanding of pedestrian activities
along key corridors in Brooklyn, the Bronx,
Manhattan and Queens. These insights
form part of the basis for NYCDOT's
public realm programs.
Broadway, Manhattan.
East Fordham Road, Bronx.
Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn.
34th Street, Manhattan.
Soho, Spring Street, Manhattan.
Main Street, Flushing.
Data collection
locations/conditions
Gehl has used its method in

studies in London, Sydney,
Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne,
Wellington, Rotterdam, Dublin,
Riga, Stockholm, Oslo and
Copenhagen.
Surveyors counted pedestrians
on streets for 10 minutes every
hour between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
16
Gehl chose specific locations near key

intersections and major destinations.
They were chosen to investigate special
conditions in each neighborhood as well
as typical conditions that can be applied
to much of each borough. Data was
collected from 8am8pm during a series
of weekdays in October under good
weather conditions.
17
Comparison of weekday pedestrian traffic between 8 am8 pm

New York City is a world-class walking city. Pedestrian volumes on major streets in
New York exceed those found in cities like London, Sydney, and Copenhagen. Moreover,
high pedestrian volumes are found throughout the city, not just in Manhattan.
One of the most striking findings of this survey is that some main streets in Queens and
the Bronx have greater numbers of pedestrians than the centers of major European cities.
For example, pedestrian volumes on Flushings Main Street are about 70% higher than
those found on Regent Street in Central London.
Times Square, 2007
PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC COMPARISON

INTERNATIONAL
Sydney, George St
2007
54,600
Melbourne, Swanston St (south)
2004
51,580
2005
55,830
Stockholm, Drottninggatan
2005
58,500
Copenhagen, Strget
2002
57,320
London, Regent St
129,840
London, Oxford St
2002
NEW YORK
Times Square
8th Ave btw 33rd & 34th St
31,850
51,580
Total length surveyed: 1.1 miles
Street width: 99 feet
Footpath width: 1420 feet
Footpath width: 1516.5 feet
Status: Shopping and entertainment

street and a north-south vehicular link.
Status: Shopping street and main public

transportation and vehicular link.
Status: Shopping street and main public

transportation and vehicular link.
2007
80,570
East Fordham Road, Bronx
2007
97,290
Flushing Main St, Queens

25,000

2007
12,520
97,290
2007
48,940
Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn
80,570
2007
14th St btw 5th Ave & University Place

Broadway btw Prince and Spring
118,000
2007
94,730
5th Ave btw 21st and 22nd
Flushing Main St, Queens, 2007
2007
100,740
34th St near 6th Ave
50,000
75,000
Major streets in other cities

Weekday pedestrian traffic between 8 am8 pm
18
2007
118,000
(Broadway & 7th Ave at 44th St)
Pedestrian volumes
on Flushings Main
Street are about
70% higher than
those found on
Regent Street in
Central London.
East Fordham Road, Bronx, 2007
100,000
125,000
2007
150,000
New York
Weekday pedestrian traffic between 8 am8 pm
Sydney, George Street, 2007
London, Oxford Street, 2007
Copenhagen, Strget, 2005
54,600
129,830
58,500
Total length: 1.6 miles
Status: Main shopping street with

heavy traffic.
Status: Shopping street with large

numbers of pedestrians and vehicles.
Status: Main street dominated by

shopping, cafes and restaurants.
19
Congested Sidewalks
The sidewalks on
Flushing Main St.
are overcrowded
83% of the day.
Gehl Architects studies from around the world

suggest that the maximum volume for comfortable
pedestrian movement is 12 people per minute
per yard of sidewalk width. Anything above this
level is considered to be overcrowding. (Other
methodologies assess crowding according to the
number of people that a street can carryhowever
such methodologies deal only with capacity and not
quality). When Copenhagens main street, Strget,
reaches the level of 12 persons per minute per yard
people start finding alternative routes. This has
been the case for the last 30 years.
Despite the fact that sidewalk widths are
generous in some parts of the city, key sections
of street simply do not accommodate the volume
of pedestrian traffic. In New York, people walking
compete for space with those waiting at bus stops,
and with the many physical items on sidewalks.
Signs of crowded sidewalks
Problems with
overcrowded sidewalks
Crowding is generally:
BAD FOR COMMERCE
since people have difficulty stopping/

looking at window displays.
Flushing Main Street.
BAD FOR SAFETY
since fast walking pedestrians will move out onto

the road or people will accidentally be pushed into
the road.
BAD FOR THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
since those in wheelchairs, parents with strollers,

people with disabilities, children and the elderly
generally need more space for walking than that
available on a crowded footpath. These groups can
be deterred from walking under such conditions.
Crowding is a sign of low

walking quality. When
crowding occurs, walking
turns into a fight to get
from one point to another.
Overcrowded crosswalk.
BAD FOR ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO WALK
since people will avoid walking if it is unpleasant to

do so.
The sidewalks on
East Fordham Road
are overcrowded
54% of the day.
East Fordham Road.
20
People do not have space to wait at crossings.
21
VOLUMES ON FLUSHING MAIN STREET
In cases such as Flushing Main St,

the number of pedestrians is nearly
twice that of vehicle passengers,
yet pedestrians are provided less
than one third the space.
SPACE ON FLUSHING MAIN STREET
Flushing Main Street, Queens between Roosevelt and 41st Ave
Pedestrians are pushed into the road when waiting for a green light.
West sidewalk
East sidewalk
In some locations, only 50% of the sidewalk on Broadway is possible to use for walking.
Sidewalk 16
11
11
11
11
11
11
Sidewalk 16
effective
width 13
effective
width 13
46,140
56,000
51,150
pedestrians /
8 am8 pm
effective width 13
motorists and bus

passengers a day utilize
the roadway, effective
width 65 feet
pedestrians /
8 am8 pm
effective width 13
SIDEWALK
16
11
11
11
11
11
SIDEWALK 16
13
22
200cm
400cm
600cm
Obstacles on Sidewalks
The effective width for walking is
sometimes 50% of the sidewalk
Pedestrians
Vehicular passengers
The numerous obstacles found on New York City

sidewalks further contribute to crowding and hurt the
quality of the pedestrian experience. Vendors and street
furniture play a key role in the public life of the City, but
often unregulated vendors and poorly placed or planned
furniture restrict pedestrian access. Often the most
crowded areas (such as sidewalks near subway stops and
street corners) are the places where the most obstacles
exist. At some street corners, multiple trash cans or
newsboxes force people into traffic. Cluttered sidewalks
not only impede access but also negatively affect the
visual environment.
On very crowded sidewalks, street vendors may cause further problems.
23
Streets
Without Seats
Nowhere to rest
There are very few places for people to sit and rest,
meet and interact or people-watch along the streets
of New York City. A vastly disproportionate amount
of space is allocated to parking cars than to public
seating spaces. While New York City provides some
of the best urban scenery in the world, there are
simply very few places to stop, enjoy and soak in
the unique atmosphere.
Crowding on Broadway when students are waiting for the bus.
No protection against unpleasant weather makes the time waiting
uncomfortable.
Sidewalk Crowding
Affects Public Transit
It is sometimes hard to get
to the subway or bus
New York City has one of the worlds best public
transit systems. Unfortunately, the well-used system
is not accessible to all city residents and visitors. At
some locations, sidewalks are not broad enough to
accomodate the flow in and out of busy subway stops.
At others, those waiting for the bus must wait in the
sun or rain because of a lack of shelters. In addition, at
some outer locations, busy bus stops lack sidewalks,
thus making access difficult, if not impossible, for the
disabled, elderly, and those pushing strollers.
24
Limited space for access to and from public transportation.
The few public seating opportunities in the streets are of poor quality and exposed to traffic.
Few resting opportunities while waiting for public transportation excludes some user groups.
People find alternative seating where nothing else is provided.
25
Central Park
Columbus
Circle
ue
57th Stree
t
7th Avenue
8 Th Aven
More Scaffolding
than Seating
Paramount
Plaza
6th Avenue
Times
Square
Scaffolding is left up for too long, while

street cafes are few and far between
Grand
Central
Station
Bryant Park
42nd Stree
t
Golda
Mayer
Place
Herald
Square
34th Stree
t
Greeley
Square
5th Avenue
Penn
Station
Worth
Square
Madison
Square
Park
Park Aven
ue
23rd Stree
t
Union
Square
New York is falling behind other cities in the provision of

outdoor seating opportunities. Research from around
the world indicates that there is incredible demand for
caf seating. For example, in London, Copenhagen,
and Melbourne, restaurants have found that increased
outdoor seating options leads to increased business. The
positive effects of providing caf seating go beyond the
benefits to individual restaurant owners, as caf seating
contributes to an improved public realm, and increased
economic vitality for a city. It is a cause for concern that
the three-mile stretch of Broadway from Columbus Circle
to Houston Street, one of the Citys leading thoroughfares,
has only 6 outdoor cafes.
While the City suffers from a shortage of outdoor
seating, it is a global leader in scaffolding. The amount
of building and renovation underway makes scaffolding
a necessity to protect pedestrians. An unintended
consequence of recent legislation designed to protect
people from building faades with potential problems has
been the vast proliferation of long-duration scaffolding
that narrows, darkens and uglifies potentially vibrant
sidewalks. Although scaffolding is a necessity to protect
pedestrians from construction activities, in some cases
it is put up far in advance of actual work, or left standing
long after it is necessary. For example, scaffolding covers
30% of the buildings along the three miles of Broadway
from Columbus Circle to Houston Street.
444
Melbourne, Swanston St
353
London, Regent St
New York, Broadway
137
15
0
100 200 300 400 500
Caf outdoor seating in public space

t
Public seating in the street

Public seating in public space
Scaffolding sites
Astor Place
Copenhagen, Strget
Caf outdoor seating on the street curb side
14th Stree
Washington
Square
NUMBER OF CAFE SEATS PER 1000 YD
30% of Broadway buildings

between Columbus Circle
and Houston St are covered
with scaffolding.
There are only 6 curb side

outdoor cafs on Broadway
between Columbus Circle
and Soho.
Houston Street
26
Prince and
Spring Street
27
Few Opportunities to Stop

Allocation of space for things
at rest on Prince Street:
73% for cars
3% for people
24% for bicycles
PRINCE STREET BETWEEN WEST BROADWAY AND LAFAYETTE
Prince
St
e St
r St
Parking Spaces
Standing.
With the exception of Flushing Main Street, the areas surveyed in

New York have a significantly lower ratio of stationary activities
per 100 yards of street compared to other capital cities. Sitting
activities are especially few in New York.
The type of stationary activities found in New Yorks streets are

very different than those found in other world cities. A majority of
the stationary activities recorded on Flushings Main Street are
commercial activities associated with street vendors. The majority
of the stationary activities recorded along Swanston Street in
Melbourne, by contrast, are associated with people window shopping
or relaxing in public benches, caf chairs and/or secondary seating.
28
y St
Crosb
Public Seating
64
Parked Bicycles
Commercial activities.
Broad
Parked Bicycles
Parking Spaces
Public Seating Spaces
way
Merce
er St
Sitting on secondary seating.
Green
Sitting on caf chairs.
Woost
West B
roadw
PRINCE AND
SPRING STREET
ay
EXAMPLES OF ACTIVITIES
21
1
0
20
40 60 80
29
Few Children and

Elderly in the Street
% OF PEDESTRIANS
UNDER 14
2%
4%
Who uses New York streets?

Broadway
Overcrowded or otherwise unattractive sidewalks

and walking environments are not only less pleasant
places to be, they in fact discourage some groups
from walking or being on a public street altogether.
% OF PEDESTRIANS
OVER 65
Only 10% of pedestrians

identified at our survey sites were
children or seniors (under 14 or
over 65 years old), although these
groups account for a combined
30% of New Yorks population.
Flatbush Ave
0%
12%
2%
East Fordham Road
The elderly and young are

rarely seen in the street
environment in places
where streets are traffic
dominated and are not
perceived as safe.
SURVEY AREA
6%
10%
Flushing Main St
5%
30
31
W 48 St
W 48 St
7th Ave
W 47 St
Times Square
consists of
89% road space
11% people space
W 47 St
dway
Broa
Times Square
W 46 St
Little Brazil Street
Total area: 183,000 sq ft

Pedestrian area: 20,200 sq ft
Few people ever visit the plaza around the arch in Brooklyns Grand Army Plaza.
Many Public Spaces

are Hard to Get to
Many public spaces do not interact
with streets and surrounding buildings
Herald Square is a hidden oasis in the middle of traffic.
W 44 St
W 44 St
Times Square at night. People are crowded on a narrow traffic

island in a traffic dominated space. Recent NYCDOT projects to
create more space for people in Madison Square and on Broadway
north of 34th Street (see pages 39 and 40) may have future
application along Broadway north of 42nd Street.
W 43 St
W 42 St
32
ay
Broadw
7th Ave
New Yorkers rarely experience the joy of coming across a break in the
streetscapean inviting public space along their journey from Point A to
Point B. Instead, they are forced to make a deliberate decision to reach
an island of public spaceand to get to that island, they often need to
negotiate complicated and busy crossings.
Once there, they find none of the opportunities to interact with the
indoor environment that a building edge provides. Indoor activities are
not allowed to spill into the public realm (and vice versa) because so
few public spaces are actually bordered by a building. Instead, the only
influence at the border of a public space is often a street full of traffic.
Herald and Greeley Squares are a classic example of this
phenomenon. In an effort to protect them from adjacent traffic,
planners have surrounded each square with trees, hedges, and walls.
As a result, the plazas are visually and physically detached from the
pedestrian flow on the sidewalks. The vitality of one space does nothing
to feed the other. The lack of visual connections and natural pedestrian
flow through the spaces makes them more unsafe at night, and as
a result these spaces, and many like them across the City, are closed
after dark.
Additionally, most of the actual space in Herald Square is active
street space for motor vehicles. 82% of the square is taken up by busy
through streets. Similar conditions are found in Times Square.
W 45 St
W 45 St
W 43 St
W 42 St
33
Closed Faades
60% of the shop fronts in the

surveyed area have closed metal
gates on a Sunday at noon.
Problems with metal gates

Sidewalks can be partially illuminated at night by
light spilling from closed shops and offices. Metal
gates, however, not only limit this ambient light,
but also become canvases for graffiti and dirt
that further detract from the quality of the city
environment. In addition, shuttered streets become
uninteresting and unfriendly outside business hours.
While protecting ones business is of course
necessary, business owners could elect to use a
more street-friendly design. For example, stores
could use lattice work grating instead of the solid
metal gates.
Can
al S
tree
2/5
Metal gates are not only a

problem at night, creating dark
and unpleasant streets with
nothing to look at, but also after
closing hours on weekends,
creating uninviting, lifeless and
uninteresting streets.
Broadw
ay
4/7
No invitation for a Sunday promenade here.
5/8
6/9
White S
treet
Closed metal gates on Broadway

shop fronts with transparent glass
shop fronts with closed metal gates
Open-grilled gates maintain safety but create a more interesting building front along the sidewalk.
34
35
New York Citys

World Class Streets Program
Change on our streets
New York City is in the midst of an unprecedented effort to redevelop
the Citys public realm. Following the mandates set forth in PlaNYC and
Sustainable Streets, and working from the themes developed in the
Public Life Survey detailed in the previous chapter, NYCDOT has instituted
new design standards and moved forward to implement street projects in
its multi-faceted World Class Streets initiative, which consists of these
elements:
Public plaza program
Broadway boulevard projects
Complete street projects and design standards
Safe streets for seniors and students
Public art program
Coordinated street furniture
Weekend pedestrian and cycling streets
36
37
Pearl Street Triangle Plaza, DUMBO, Brooklyn
Gansevoort Plaza
Before
After
New Public Space
Before
New York is building plazas throughout the city
Reshaping iconic streets and spaces
One of the central goals in the Open Space chapter of PlaNYC is to ensure that every
New Yorker lives within a ten minute walk of public open space. To achieve this goal, the
City has committed to creating or enhancing a public plaza in every community. NYCDOT
and partners have 21 plazas that are already in some stage of design or construction.
For example, in 2007 and 2008, DOT employed temporary materials to rapidly transform
surplus lots and underutilized roadway into attractive new public spaces in DUMBO and
Downtown Brooklyn, Chelsea and the Meatpacking District in Manhattan, and at the HUB
in the Bronx.
In June 2008 NYCDOT built upon these efforts and launched the NYC Plaza Program
to allow eligible community groups to identify new plaza sites through a competitive
application process. The NYC Plaza Program will strengthen the capacity of local
organizations to become stewards of the newly created spaces. To do this, DOT and the
NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) will establish long-term partnerships
with community groups to maintain and program the plazas so they are well-managed,
active destinations.
In Summer 2008, NYCDOT transformed Broadway from 42nd to 35th Street. The
project, known as Broadway Boulevard, created a ribbon of public gathering spaces along
with a protected bicycle lane. Landscaping and distinctive furniture along the corridor
brings new foot traffic through the Fashion District as walking is encouraged between
bustling Times Square and the Herald Square shopping area.
The positive response by New Yorkers was instantaneousthey flocked to the new
spaces. The Times Square and Fashion District business improvement districts (BIDs)
and the 34th Street Partnership are handling the maintenance of the new public spaces.
The new design transforms all of Broadway, visually and mentally, according to Barbara
Randall, Director of the Fashion Center BID. People will start thinking of the street
differently. Theyll start thinking of it as a destination where you can watch the world go by.
Transportation Commissioner Sadik-Khan notes that Broadway is not famous because of
the cars going through it. We are trying to have the public space match the name.
38
After
39
9th Avenue, Chelsea
Carlton Avenue, Brooklyn
Before
Putting it All Together

Reshaping iconic streets and spaces
Complete streets
In September, 2008, Mayor Bloomberg and NYCDOT

unveiled over 41,000 square feet of new public space
in Madison Square, bringing new landscaped pedestrian
plazas, bicycle lanes and a simpler, safer traffic pattern
at Broadway from 25th to 22nd Streetsone of the
largest non-park public space projects undertaken by
the Bloomberg Administration. The spaces have already
filled with pedestrians, tourists, people-watchers and
area workers and residents enjoying a meal.
The new space in Madison Square complements
adjacent Madison Square Park. In the projects center,
a significant new plaza in the shape of the Flatiron
Building offers space from which to view one of the
worlds most photographed landmarks. On Broadway
south of 23rd Street, two lanes of roadway have been
transformed into a plaza with seating and tables, directly
adjoining the Flatirons building front. The new spaces
are supported and maintained by the local business
improvement districts and the Madison Square Park
Conservancy.
DOTs award-winning design for Manhattans 9th Avenue protected

bicycle lane achieves a variety of improvements. In addition to
separating cyclists from motor vehicle travel lanes and providing for
safe vehicle turning movement across the bicycle way, it significantly
narrows the avenue crossing distance for pedestrians and creates a
more peaceful sidewalk experience along the east side of the avenue.
Similar projects are underway across the city.
40
After
41
Sidewalks to BusesEast Tremont, Bronx
A City Safe for All

Pedestrian projects to
benefit students and seniors
Before
The City is also ensuring that New York is

more hospitable to children and seniors.
DOTs Safe Streets for Seniors and Safe
Routes to School programs identify areas of
high risk for these two populations.
Safe Streets for Seniors
Bus stop under an elevated trainafter improvements. Jerome Avenue and Fordham Road, Bronx.
After
Subway entrance 33rd Street and Queens Blvd
An Interconnected City
Pedestrians are transit riders, and vice versa
Transit-riding New Yorkers are pedestrians at both ends of
their journeys. As a result, sidewalk and bus stop conditions are
important to ensuring quality travel conditions. Residents are much
more likely to take transit and contribute to the citys sustainability
if the route to the train or bus is a pleasant one.
While sidewalks are provided in much of the city, some places do
not have the necessary infrastructure. As part of its Sidewalks to
Buses initiative, DOT is building sidewalks at bus stops that do not
have them. The agency will build up to 3.75 miles of sidewalk per
year as part of this initiative.
Similarly, over 40 bus stops are tucked under elevated train
lines, creating difficult waiting conditions for riders. DOTs Bus
Stops under the Els initiative installs widened sidewalks at these
intersections to improve safety.
Finally, at some locations sidewalks are not wide enough to
accommodate subway riders spilling out of stations. NYCDOT is
working with NYC Transit to improve sidewalk quality at these sites.
Before
After
42
Although seniors (those 65 and over)

represent only 13% of New Yorks
population, they account for 39% of
pedestrian fatalities. In light of the dangers
seniors face as pedestrians, Mayor
Bloomberg launched the Safe Streets for
Seniors program in January 2008. New
Yorks program is the largest of its kind in
the nation. This effort is especially timely, as
New Yorks senior population is expected to
increase substantially over the next 25 years.
DOT identified 25 neighborhoods across
the City that have a large number of senior
citizens and a significant number of crashes
involving pedestrians.
DOT recently completed senior safety
pedestrian improvements at Brighton
Beach in Brooklyn, Flushing in Queens
and the Lower East Side. Some specific
improvements in these areas include retiming
pedestrian signals to give seniors more time
to cross the streets, constructing pedestrian
refuge island and sidewalk extensions to
protect pedestrians and shorten crossing
distances, upgrading street markings for
better visibility, and reducing the number of
travel lanes to calm traffic. Plans for similar
improvements are under review for the
Fordham/University Heights neighborhood
in the Bronx and the Hylan-New Dorp area in
Staten Island.
Safe Routes to School

DOTs Priority Schools Program is a large-scale effort to improve pedestrian safety around
the Citys elementary and middle schools. In 2003, DOT analyzed crash data from the
Citys 1,400 public and private schools and identified the top 135 priority schools in need
of pedestrian safety improvements. By 2006, DOT had implemented the recommended
operational improvements near these schools, including new signals, increased crossing
time, new crosswalks, better signage, and speed humps. In 2007, DOT (working with
DDC) began the construction of long-term capital safety measures including neckdowns,
medians, and new sidewalks around the first twelve priority schools. Construction at the
next 20 schools is scheduled to start in 2009.
Earlier this year, DOT identified the next group of 135 priority schools that will receive
planning studies and improvements. Next year DOT plans to analyze data again to identify,
study, and make improvements at 40 priority high schools.
Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
Before
After
East Tremont, Bronx
Before
After
43
Enjoying the CityAlternative Uses for Streets
Weekend pedestrian streets
Summer Streets
In August 2008, DOT opened a seven mile car-free route from the
Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park to bicyclists and pedestrians for
three Saturdays in a row. The program, known as Summer Streets,
earned rave reviews from New Yorkers and local papers, and caught
the attention of cities across the world. Over 150,000 people
attended the event, some trying bicycling on city streets for the
first time. Traffic impacts on surrounding streets were minimal.
44
NYCDOT partnered with local merchant and

community groups in 2008 to launch several
temporary pedestrian streets.
The Montague Street Business Improvement District hosted Summer Space for
four Sundays in July along three blocks in
Brooklyn Heights.
In Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the Northside
Merchants Association organized
Williamsburg Walks on Bedford Avenue for
four Saturdays from mid-July to mid-August.
As at Summer Streets on Park Avenue,
the idea of weekend pedestrian streets was
to open street space to walking and other
locally-oriented activities rather than filling it
with vendors or a parade. Both events were
very successful.
In addition, the city partnered with Friends
of Travers Park to create a temporary
Play Street in Jackson Heights for twenty
consecutive weekends. The traffic-free
area extends an over-used playground and
connects it to an area used by the local
Greenmarket .
45
Manhattan Bridge Arch, Brooklyn.
A Visually Appealing City

Temporary public art program
NYCDOT recognizes the importance of good design
in making vibrant, attractive streets and a more
inviting public realm. There is a large scale effort
underway to replace older street furniture with
well-designed bus shelters, newsstands, and public
restrooms created by Grimshaw Architects and
selected for the citys Coordinated Street Furniture
Franchise with Cemusa, Inc.
New York is currently replacing the citys 3,500
bus shelters and 330 newsstands, along with the
citys first public restrooms and covered bicycle
racks, to bring modern design and a better overall
look to city streets.
46
Bike rack design competition winner by Ian Mahaffy and Maarten De Greeve.
In addition, NYCDOT has selected a new

design for its public bicycle racks, wrapping
up an international competition that was
launched in early 2008. The agency has also
partnered with the artist/musician David Byrne
to install nine whimsical bike racks that double
as public art.
Finally, in Fall 2008 the agency introduced
the Urban Art Program, a public art program
with three program tracks. In the pARTners
track, the agency will identify priority public
art sites appropriate for new commissions. In
the Site to Site track, the agency will work with
not-for-profit and for-profit organizations to
relocate existing artwork to self-selected DOT
sites based on site guidelines. Both pARTners
and Site to Site projects may be installed for
a maximum of eleven months. Lastly, in the
Arterventions track, the agency will encourage
organization-artist teams to present shortterm projects, such as art projections, lighting
projects, performance art, or musical/theatrical
performances, on self-selected DOT sites.
Arterventions projects may be presented for a
maximum of one month.
David Byrne bicycle rack.
Cemusa Select Bus Service shelter.
Cemusa bike parking shelter.
Cemusa newstand.
DUMBO mural.
New York Citys first public toilet.
47
Street geometry:
Safer, greener streets
The citys priorities for its streets are reflected in the
toolbox of geometric treatments to guide reconstruction
and redesign efforts. The design guidelines will
encourage sustainable modes of transportation and
acknowledge the variety of street types in the city, from
truck routes to walking-only streets, and suggest unique
treatments for different street types.
Ninth Avenue Bike Lane, Manhattan.
On street bikeway, 9th Street, Brooklyn.
Raised speed reducers, Bolton Avenue, Bronx.
Planning Better Streets:

Design Guidelines
For years, the citys design and approval process
has favored traffic-oriented space and strictly
utilitarian asphalt and concrete features.
To facilitate the changes required by PlaNYC
and Sustainable Streets, DOT is partnering with
other city agencies to create a Street Design
Manual of policies and design standards to be
used by all agencies for street, plaza and other
streetscape projects. Agency partners include
Design and Construction, Parks, City Planning,
Environmental Protection, Buildings, the Economic
Development Corporation, the Mayors Offices of
Long Term Planning and Sustainability and Capital
Project Development, and city commissions
for Public Design and Landmarks Preservation.
The Street Design Manual will ensure that work
on city streets prioritizes safety and livability and
reflects a context-sensitive, complete-streets
approach. It will address both street geometry
and street materials, and will enhance the public,
multi-dimensional character of our streetscape.
The manuals guidelines will also promote greener
streets with more trees and vegetation, which will
not only beautify and cool the city but also help
manage stormwater. In addition, they will improve
the coordination of project development within
and among agencies to ensure that the city builds
better projects faster.
48
Green/landscaped area, Furmanville, Queens.
Granite saw-finished curb, Madison Avenue, Manhattan.
Painted busway, 34th Street, Manhattan.
Median refuge island, Grand Street, Manhattan.
49
Building Better Streets: Street Materials
Imprinted asphalt, 185th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, Manhattan.
Resin-bound gravel, 9th Avenue & 14th Street, Manhattan.
Modular cobble, New York Stock Exchange.
London pavers, Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian ramp.
In order to broaden the variety of materials that can be used in city

projects, and to create a visually-appealing, uniform look, the Street
Design Manual will specify a broader set of standard materials for
use on streets and sidewalks than is permitted today. New Yorks
streets are not all the samenor should they be. The handbook will
identify the materials appropriate for various types of roadways,
sidewalks, and plazas.
People begin using new public space in

New York as soon as it is closed to vehicles.
50
51
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This report is the product of many creative people dedicated to the health of
cities and to New York in particular. NYCDOT staff work tirelessly to improve
New Yorks public realm. They designed and implemented the groundbreaking
projects highlighted in the reports third section, and have many more such
improvements still up their sleeves. Gehl Architects conducted its trademark
Public Space/Public Life Survey, developed the reports analysis of the citys
existing streetscape and public realm, created initial drafts of this report and
has provided a wealth of experience and ideas to NYCDOT.
www.gehlarchitects.dk
Gehl Architects staff and sub-consultants:
Jan Gehl
Ewa Westermark
Jeff Risom
Henriette Mortensen
Rob Adams
Jens Rrbech
DOTs report team was Jon Orcutt, Nina Haiman and Andy Wiley-Schwartz.
The following NYCDOT Commissioners and staff have provided invaluable
input, materials and inspiration to this work:
Lori Ardito, First Deputy Commissioner
John Albin, AC
Joe Barr
Eric Beaton
Joshua Benson
Joseph Cannisi, DC
Tom Cocola, BC
Emily Colasacco
Phil Damashek, GC
James DeSimone, SIFCOO
Ann Marie Doherty
Wendy Feuer, AC
Mike Flynn
Margaret Forgione, BC
Zac Frank
Holly Haff
Dalila Hall
Leon Heyward, DC
Marlene Hochstadt, DC
Terra Ishee
Edward Janoff
Joseph Jarrin, DC
Sarah Keeville, COS
Daniel Kukla
Vaidila Kungys
Inessa Lipsky
Tom Maguire
Mike Marsico, AC
Maura McCarthy, BC
Brooke McKenna, AC
David Moidel
Constance Moran, BC
Margaret Newman, COS
Joseph Palmieri, BC
Henry Perahia, DC
Hillary Poole
Michael Primeggia, DC
Sean Quinn
Naim Rasheed
Vanessa Rauschenberger
Theodora Ravago
Heather Richardson
Ryan Russo
Andrea Samdahl
Luis Sanchez, BC
Raisa Saratovsky
Cordell Schachter, CTO
Bruce Schaller, DC
Dani Simons
Gerard Soffian, AC
Keri Tyler
William M. Vallejo
Randy Wade
Kelsey Walko
Steve Weber, AC
Heidi Wolf
David Woloch, DC
The Fall 2007 Public Space Public Life Survey was structured and overseen
by Gehl Architects and largely carried out by volunteers. NYCDOTs
Corinne LeTourneau undertook the heavy lifting of organizing, equipping
and scheduling the surveyors, and receiving the resulting data. Thanks to
Transportation Alternatives for mobilizing many of the surveyors. The survey
was conducted by:
Jessica Ahoubin
Wilhemina Bauman
Beth Bingham
Micaela Birmingham
Christina Cabrera
Petra Caines
Joe Candelaria
Tali Cantor
Nuphur Chadhury
Chi W. Chen
Julia De Martini Day
Brooke Dubose
Liz Eisenberg
Stephanie Elson
Rick Ethington
Rich Felsing
Alison Filosa
Leah Flax
Chun Fong
Erick Gahlberg
Katie Gately
Juliana Gola
Annie Hart
Gretchen Heiserman
Matthew Ides
Nathan John
Martha Kenton
Jeremy Kim
Micheal Kodransky
Joe Kohl-Riggs
Justin Kray
Zack LaValle
Susan Levine
Lindsey Lusher
Kate Lindquist
Diedre Lizio
Blaz Lokar
Erin Longhbotum
Marion Lunn
Adam Marcus
Heather Martin
Rebecca Massey
Dana McGloughlin
Ben Nadler
Michelle Neuringer
Dara Nussbaum
Michael Porto
Karla Quintero
Craig Raphael
Matthew Roe
Heath Row
Ryan Rzepecki
Ryan Sharpe
Will Sherman
Nick Shimkin
Shira Siegel
Daniel Simon
Rebecca Sauer
Yuan Tang
Teresa Toro
Sheikh Tunis
Alice Walkup
Erick Washington
Ben Winter
Ivana Zgalijic
Lin Zhang
Photo Credits
All photos NYCDOT/Gehl unless noted below.
page 7, 47
(Cemusa newstand) : Matt Greenslade
page 19
(London, Oxford Street)

flickr.com: Olivier Bruchez
page 45
(bottom right image)

flickr.com: Elena Madison
Design: Pure+Applied | www.pureandapplied.com
AC: Assistant Commissioner; BC: Borough Commissioner; COS: Chief of Staff; CTO: Chief Technology Officer;
DC: Deputy Commissioner; GC: General Counsel; SIFCOO: SI Ferry Chief Operating Officer.
52
y Commissioner; GC: General Counsel; SIFCOO: SI Ferry Chief Operating Officer.
53
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND CONTACTS
Mayor Bloombergs administration is committed to ensuring New York is the

greenest, most efficient city possible. NYCDOT is unveiling new projects on a
regular basis, and encourages the public to participate in shaping the future
of the City. For more information please review the following resources:
NYCDOT
www.nyc.gov/dot
Safe Streets for Seniors

www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/sidewalks/safeseniors.shtml
PlaNYC
www.nyc.gov/planyc
Safe Routes to Transit

www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/sidewalks/safertstransit.shtml
Gehl Architects
www.gehlarchitects.dk
NYCDOT Bicycle Program

www.nyc.gov/bicycle
Sustainable StreetsNYCDOTs Strategic Plan

www.nyc.gov/dot/stratplan
CityRacks Design Competition

www.nycityracks.wordpress.com/
NYC Plaza Program

www.nyc.gov/plazas
Coordinated Street Furniture

www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/sidewalks/streetfurniture.shtml
DOT Pedestrians and Sidewalks program

www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/sidewalks/sidewalks.shtml
Public Art Program

www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/sidewalks/urbanart_prgm.shtml
Pedestrian Projects
www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/sidewalks/pedestrian_projects.shtml
Current DOT Projects

www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/currentproj.shtml
Safe Routes to Schools

www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/safety/safety.shtml
Street Design Manual (upcoming release)
54
www.nyc.gov/dot

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World Class

Remaking New York

2 Letter from the Mayor

3 Letter from Commissioner

6 World Class Streets:

14 How Do People Use New York Streets?

World Class Streets: Remaking New York Citys Public Realm

New York City Department of Transportation

Letter from the MAYOR

Letter from the Commissioner

Dear fellow New Yorkers:

Famous images of New York nearly all emphasize the

In this report, findings from a Public Space/

New York City Department of Transportation

World Class Streets: Remaking New York Citys Public Realm

New York City Department of Transportation

World Class Streets:

and Sustainable Streets, NYCDOTs strategic plan. While the previous

World Class Streets: Remaking New York Citys Public Realm

New York City Department of Transportation

Strget, pedestrian priority street, Copenhagen.

A better city, step by step

Federation Square, Melbourne.

Unified policy for vital, highquality public streets

Place des Terreaux, Lyon.

Coordinated public space policy

Ice skating at Sommerset House, London.

Place del Paisos Catalans, Barcelona.

Reducing traffic and generating Visionary thinking and

been the leading source of inspiration for

New York City Department of Transportation

LIVELY AND DIVERSE

Fine grained public transport

Cultural melting pot of the world

High volumes of pedestrians

A multitude of street parades,

Efficient street grid

Millions of people on the street

1 Increased interest in sports and an active,

FIRST CLASS PARKS

New Yorkers cherish their retreats

600 miles of coastline

World Class Streets: Remaking New York Citys Public Realm

New York City Department of Transportation

Most New Yorkers are

10 and 20 min walking catchment area to subway and train stations.

New York has some of the highest volumes of

Calculated Manhattan walking distances shown in minutes.

Calculated Manhattan cycling distances shown in minutes.

World Class Streets: Remaking New York Citys Public Realm

New York City Department of Transportation

How Do People Use New York Streets?

Gehl Architects has developed a unique field survey technique that

World Class Streets: Remaking New York Citys Public Realm

New York City Department of Transportation

Method for Measuring

East Fordham Road, Bronx.

Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn.

34th Street, Manhattan.

1 Increased interest in sports and an active,