NYC Launches ‘Smart Curbs’ Program

The pilot program on the Upper West Side will remove some curbside parking spots to replace them with public seating, bike racks, and delivery zones.

1 minute read

November 29, 2024, 5:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Parked cars and bags of trash on New York City sidewalk.

Michele / Adobe Stock

A plan to realign priorities for curb space in New York City’s Upper West Side will bring new public seating and bike racks while reducing the number of parking spaces for vehicles, reports Ramsey Khalifeh in Gothamist.

The Smart Curbs program is aimed at modernizing curb management and designating curb space for deliveries, ride-hailing services, and other uses. “New zones for trucks and commercial vehicles loading or unloading during daytime hours will be implemented in six different locations. The transportation department has sought to make the so-called ‘last mile’ of package deliveries more efficient through cargo bikes and dedicated ‘microhub’ distribution zones.”

According to UCLA professor and parking guru Donald Shoup, the city should be “much more ambitious” in its parking reform. “On every street there should be loading zones. They should be charged by the minute,” Shoup said.

Friday, November 22, 2024 in Gothamist

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing