Policy

The week before New Yorkers hit the polls in the city's participatory budgeting process, journalist John Surico tracks its evolution from non-profit project to institutionalization within the Council Speaker’s office, learns of its achievements and frustrations, and contemplates the future of this exercise in direct democracy.

Laura Hansen explains how the Neighborhood Plaza Partnership supports the local non-profits that operate the city’s newest plazas and asks how much we should, and can, rely on private support for maintaining our public realm.

For more than 200 years, street vendors have been an integral part of New York City. Their mobility and flexibility make vendors beneficial extensions to existing fixed systems during moments of crisis.

Elizabeth Rush traces the implementation of New York State-led property buyouts in three Staten Island neighborhoods and weighs the benefits and costs of this potentially important model for addressing the vulnerability of coastal communities.

Bruce Barrett, the chief architect at New York City's School Construction Authority, explains how design processes and education policy feed into the creation and maintenance of inspiring spaces for learning.

Charles Chawalko relates the tension surrounding his coop’s upcoming vote on its future in the Mitchell-Lama affordable housing program.

David Bragdon outlines his vision for a public transit agency that meets 21st century needs for flexible, multi-modal, and on-demand mobility.