Untaped: Removing Barriers for Public Space Programming

Across New York City, public spaces are increasingly recognized as essential civic infrastructure, places where communities gather, celebrate, heal, organize, exchange culture, and build local economies. Over the past thirty years, the City of New York, community organizations, and dedicated residents have made enormous strides in improving the quality and extent of this public realm, which can include parks, plazas, waterfronts, sidewalks, streets, libraries, and more. This transformation has also expanded the amount of outdoor public programming, whether that's a block party for a few dozen neighbors or a multi-day festival with tens of thousands of attendees. 

Today, with budget forecasts showing potential deficits, and with city government prioritizing costly investments like affordable housing, the public realm agenda is facing an important juncture. How can New York City continue to deliver on a visionary public realm that makes city life worthwhile and enjoyable, with limited resources and time to do so? The answer is simple: by cutting red tape, eliminating unnecessary barriers, and unlocking the potential of our public realm partnerships.

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