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What Will It Take to Deliver Livable Streets to More of NYC’s Neighborhoods?

Event - August 2026

What Will It Take to Deliver Livable Streets to More of NYC’s Neighborhoods?

On October 7th, the Center for an Urban Future will hold a policy forum exploring what further steps are needed to extend the full benefits of livable streets to more communities throughout the five boroughs. This solutions-focused event will discuss a range of ideas for what City Hall, DOT, and other city leaders should do to advance livable streets.

Tags: livable streets transportation street safety public space

"What Will It Take to Deliver Livable Streets to More of NYC's Neighborhoods?"
A Center for an Urban Future Policy Symposium

DATE: Wednesday, October 7th
TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. 
LOCATION: 150W17TH
(formerly The Rubin Museum)
150 West 17th Street

To attend in-person, RSVP via this link.
To watch the livestream, RSVP via this link


Confirmed speakers include:

  • Commissioner Mike Flynn, NYC Department of Transportation
  • Ben Furnas, Executive Director, Transportation Alternatives
  • Oma Holloway, Interim CEO, New Era Revitalization Inc.
  • Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director, Open Plans
  • Courtney Williams, Chief Strategist, The Brown Bike Girl

In recent years, New York City has made real progress in creating safer and more livable streets—from expanding Open Streets, outdoor dining, and bike infrastructure to new and upgraded bus lanes and street redesigns. But while some of these improvements have reached every corner of the city, other livable streets initiatives have yet to take hold in many neighborhoods. Bike infrastructure is still most comprehensive in Manhattan and along the Brooklyn and Queens waterfront. At the same time, several communities of color have among the highest per-capita serious car crash rates and have lagged behind in street safety investments.

This forum will explore what further steps are needed to extend the full benefits of livable streets to more communities throughout the five boroughs. This solutions-focused event will discuss a range of ideas for what City Hall, DOT, local elected officials, and community leaders should do to advance livable streets in more of the city's neighborhoods and how to build political and grassroots support for livable streets across the city. It will also feature a fireside chat with DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn to delve into some highly promising steps that the Mamdani administration is already taking. 

Details
Wednesday, October 7th
8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. (doors open at 8; program begins at 8:45)
150W17TH (formerly The Rubin Museum)
150 West 17th Street

To attend in-person, please RSVP via this link.
To watch the livestream, please RSVP via this link.

We are committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in our programs. For questions or requests regarding access and accommodation, please contact Sophia Tumolo at [email protected] at least 72 hours in advance of the program.

This event is part of the Project for Livable Streets, a joint research initiative of the Center for an Urban Future and Tech:NYC, with support from the London Plane Foundation, Gotham Gives, and Jared Weinstein. We are also grateful for general support from The Clark Foundation, Robin Hood, and the Altman Foundation, and ongoing support from a number of other philanthropic funders.