Founded in 1999, Open Plans promotes civic engagement for livable streets. Our tools — information, education, and activation — empower residents to shape their communities.
Open Plans and Untapped New York are launching NYC's first-ever Curbside Dining Restaurant Week from September 5-12! Restaurants and cafes across the city will offer exclusive discounts and special treats to celebrate the businesses that have poured their hearts into activating our curbs. This is your chance to show your love for local outdoor dining spaces and make it clear to decision makers that New York City wants more curbside dining.
Part 2 of our summer intern series introduces Open Plans' graduate school interns! Meet Andrew Leung, Laila Abed, and Talisha Ward - three bright students from Pratt and Columbia who are bringing fresh energy to our campaigns this summer. From urban planning to placemaking, these interns are helping transform NYC's streets while gaining hands-on experience in advocacy, public space management, and community engagement.
Summer Streets returns Saturday, July 26th with car-free joy from 7am-3pm in Queens and Staten Island, followed by celebrations in other boroughs! Open Plans has helped improve this beloved program year after year - from expanding to all five boroughs to extending hours based on your feedback. Join our young professionals summer party July 25th, suggest a Low Traffic Neighborhood for NYC, watch how London transformed Church Street into a people-first paradise and more in this edition of the newsletter.
In this week’s edition of the newsletter, meet our summer interns from Fannie Lou Hamer High School and Brooklyn College's Urban Sustainability program! We're also calling on New Yorkers to oppose the City's proposed 15 mph e-bike speed limit - criminalization isn't the answer to safer streets. Join Transportation Alternatives' webinar to learn how to testify against this half-baked rule, and don't miss our Low-Traffic Neighborhoods talk with The Happy Urbanist this Tuesday at Hi-Note.
Experience exclusive deals and special treats at NYC’s first-ever curbside dining celebration. Support your favorite local restaurants and show the city you love outdoor dining!