New York City Sidewalks Overflowing with Vibrancy, and Conflict

Jeremy Smerd describes the competition over sidewalk space in New York, as commerce overflows out of buildings and into public space.

1 minute read

May 2, 2012, 7:00 AM PDT

By jerinbrent


12,750 miles of New York City sidewalk may sound like a lot. Pedestrian traffic is up 10% since 2007, however, and increases in pedestrian activity have ramped up the street vendor and sidewalk cafe market. Add to this the everyday scaffolding obstacles and sidewalk closures, plus amenities like streetscaping, pay phones and, soon enough, bike-share racks scattered across the city and even a couple thousand miles of space can start to feel crowded. The former commissioner of the Department of Transportation, Alex Mautner, explains the unfolding challenges:

"Sidewalk activity is what makes New York vibrant. The question is, how do you harness it and how do you bring a modicum of decorum to the streets so that it functions?"

Fred Kent, with the Project for Public Spaces, argues that the only reasonable solution is to make sidewalks bigger. In order to harness the power of the pedestrian, Kent suggests cutting into parking and vehicle lanes to make room for wider sidewalks because, as he points out, "cars don't shop".

Thanks to Jessica Brent

Sunday, April 29, 2012 in Crain's New York Business

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 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

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.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

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.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

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.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

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.

July 17 - San José Spotlight