A new map shows where privately owned public spaces are located to encourage more public use.
In 1961, New York City started its program for privately owned public spaces (POPS), which gave private developers bonus floor area or waivers in exchange for providing and maintaining publicly accessible spaces on their properties. Over 550 of these POPS exist in the city today, with most located in Manhattan. However, the number of POPS in other boroughs throughout the city is increasing.
Although POPS are available for the public to use, the city has found that they are not as accessible as they should be. “While the city is home to hundreds of POPS, most people are unaware of their existence or location, and in many cases buildings were found to be in violation of the POPS laws, and restrict access to the public,” reports Tanay Warerkar.
To better inform the public, the New York City Department of City Planning has put together an interactive map of the city’s POPS. In addition to each site’s location, the map details amenities, hours of access, and information about the building. Today’s POPS are mainly public plazas and arcades, and the city hopes that more awareness of these urban spaces will lead to an increase in their use.
FULL STORY: Handy new map shows all of NYC’s privately-owned public spaces
Contest: Design a Logo for New York's Privately-Owned Public Spaces
New York City is holding a competition for a distinctive logo to clearly demarcate all of its 550 privately-owned public spaces.
Report: Trump Tower Among Many NYC Buildings Not Maintaining Privately Owned Public Spaces
It's no secret that building owners often fail to maintain privately owned public spaces with any priority on the public part of that equation. A new report reveals just how widespread the problem is in New York.
The Not-So-Public Legacy of New York's Privately Owned Public Spaces
More and more often, barriers have been erected between the public and POPS, as privately owned public spaces are known.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie