New York Construction Report staff writer
New York City’s Public Design Commission (PDC)’s Building a Family-Friendly City: Design Guidelines for a Safer, More Livable Public Realm report outlines key strategies for making public spaces safer, more accessible, and inclusive for families, including children, parents, and older adults. The guidelines aim to reshape parks, playgrounds, streets, and plazas across the city to meet the needs of a diverse population.
The report includes steps for designing public spaces—from initial planning to ongoing maintenance. It draws on input from nearly 8,000 New Yorkers, detailing what citizens value most in their public spaces. This data, along with real-world examples from locations across the city, will serve as a blueprint for future urban planning projects.
Recommendations will be incorporated into the city’s ongoing and upcoming public space projects. City agencies, working in collaboration with over 20 partners—including private-sector stakeholders and community groups—will use the guidelines to inform design and renovation decisions, ensuring that spaces are safe, accessible, and welcoming for all New Yorkers. These recommendations will influence everything from the design of new parks and plazas to the renovation of existing spaces, guaranteeing that the next generation of public spaces reflects the needs of families in the city.
The guidelines are organized around three key pillars: engagement, accessibility, and future planning.
It stresses the importance of community involvement in the design process, ensuring that public spaces meet the needs of diverse populations. It also highlights the need for spaces that are easy to navigate and accessible to users of all abilities. Finally, it encourages planners to think about sustainability and adaptability, ensuring that public spaces are built to last and evolve as the needs of families change over time.
Successful projects already in progress across the city are highlighted, including improvements at Luther Gulick Park in Manhattan, Callahan Kelly Playground in Brooklyn, and the Pollinator Port Project showcase how these guidelines can be applied to real-world settings.
In addition to these design principles, the report also builds on survey findings that reveal what New Yorkers prioritize when using public spaces.
For example, 79% of respondents said they are satisfied with their proximity to parks, and 68% said they are happy with the accessibility of public spaces. However, only 40% were satisfied with restroom availability, leading the city to launch the “Ur In Luck” initiative. This initiative aims to build 46 new restrooms and upgrade 36 existing ones citywide, directly addressing one of the key concerns highlighted by residents.
