Goodbye Broad Ways, Hello Streetscaping

New York City has released a new manual for street designs, representing over two years of work from the Department of Transportation.

1 minute read

May 20, 2009, 1:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur


"Imagine narrow European-style roadways shared by pedestrians, cyclists and cars, all traveling at low speeds. Sidewalks made of recycled rubber in different colors under sleek energy-efficient lamps. Mini-islands jutting into the street, topped by trees and landscaping, designed to further slow traffic and add a dash of green.

This is what New York City streets could look like, according to the Bloomberg administration, which has issued the city's first street design manual in an effort to make over the utilitarian 1970s-style streetscape that dominates the city.

The Department of Transportation will begin reviewing development plans to see whether they align with the 232-page manual's guidelines, and promises that projects with these features will win approval quickly."

Tuesday, May 19, 2009 in The New York Times

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