Public Realm Action Plan

Downtown Brooklyn Public Realm Action Plan

Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, with design firms Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and WXY architecture + urban design (WXY), has developed a new vision and roadmap to transform the public realm of Downtown Brooklyn by reclaiming its streets for greater pedestrian use and creating attractive, accessible public spaces that prioritize people and the environment.

DBP’s plan puts forth a series of transformative measures that will take Downtown Brooklyn from a traditional central business district geared to car-oriented uses, to a citywide leader in designing a downtown for people.

Since its 2004 rezoning, Downtown Brooklyn has grown to become a vital mixed-use neighborhood, with significant increases in residential population, new businesses, and jobs. The current streetscape does not meet the needs of its primary users — pedestrians, cyclists, and mass transit riders.

How can we tackle existing challenges: lack of green space, multi-modal conflict and vehicular congestion, narrow and substandard sidewalks, placard parking abuse, disorienting street grids, inconsistent streetscape + identity, and prepare the district for future growth?

Also See

This NYCxDesign Festival panel discussion moderated by journalist John Surico, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership president Regina Myer, Kate Cella (Bjarke Ingels Group), and Claire Weisz (WXY Studio), discuss the Downtown Brooklyn Public Realm Action Plan.

Created by Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP) with design firms Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and WXY architecture + urban design (WXY), the Downtown Brooklyn Public Realm Plan puts forth a series of transformative measures that will take Downtown Brooklyn from a traditional central business district geared to car-oriented uses, to a citywide leader in reclaiming streets for greater pedestrian use and creating public spaces that prioritize people and the environment.

Press

6sqft
July 20, 2023
NYC announces major public space and transit improvements for Downtown Brooklyn
Bloomberg
July 6, 2023
As Downtowns Struggle, Businesses Learn to Love Bike Lanes
Brooklyn Paper
May 24, 2023
Downtown Brooklyn streets come to life with colorful new asphalt art
TimeOut
October 28, 2021
Downtown Brooklyn is going car-free
News12
October 27, 2021
'Downtown Brooklyn Public Realm Action' aims to transform area
Bloomberg
October 21, 2021
Downtown Brooklyn’s Greener, Car-Free Future Is Taking Root
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
October 21, 2021
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership unveils plan to transform public realm over next decade

The Plan was developed in close collaboration with NYC DOT, NYC Parks, and a 50+ member steering committee including local resident associations, cultural organizations, educational institutions, businesses, property owners, and houses of worship. DBP thanks the members of our steering committee below for their input during the two-year process of creating the Downtown Brooklyn Public Realm Plan.

Design Team: BJARKE INGELS GROUP (BIG), W X Y architecture + urban design, Sam Schwartz Transportation Consultants, Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects (MNLA)