PlaNYC
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The Evolution of PlaNYC: Transit, Tight Budgets, and the Sheridan
Last week Streetsblog sat down with David Bragdon, the new head of the city's Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, to talk about next year's update of PlaNYC. A new version of the city's sustainability plan is set to be released on Earth Day, 2011 (that's April 22), revising the 2007 roadmap for a city that prioritizes transit, biking, and walking.
December 15, 2010
The Evolution of PlaNYC: Q&A With NYC Sustainability Chief David Bragdon
Back in August, Mayor Bloomberg appointed David Bragdon to succeed Rohit Aggarwala as head of the city's Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability. At the time, Bragdon was the elected leader of Portland's regional government, Metro, and an influential decision maker in that region's famously progressive planning. Sustainable transportation advocates on both coasts said New York was lucky to get him.
December 14, 2010
Bronx Residents Demand a Greater, Greener, Fairer PlaNYC
The Bronx wants to see the next version PlaNYC go further and be more equitable than the original. At last night's public outreach event for the upcoming revision of the city's sustainability agenda, dubbed a "Community Conversation," Bronx residents demanded that PlaNYC 2.0 be far bolder in its efforts to green the city -- and especially their environmentally disadvantaged borough. Whether by tearing down the Sheridan Expressway, tackling truck traffic, or eliminating parking minimums, they want the city to step up its sustainable transportation efforts in particular.
October 27, 2010
What Should NYC’s Sustainability Plan Tackle Next? Vote Today
New York's citywide sustainability initiative -- PlaNYC 2030 -- is getting an update next Earth Day, and the public outreach is already underway. A series of "community conversations" about what comes next continues this week with a workshop in Manhattan tomorrow. Meanwhile, one place you can make your voice heard without even getting up from your desk is a new website where you can submit your own ideas for improving sustainability and vote for those you like best (or vote at the top of this page, where we've embedded the same program).
October 18, 2010
NYC Achieves Greenhouse Gas Reductions, But Not With Transportation
The Bloomberg administration released its annual greenhouse gas inventory last week [PDF], presenting some great environmental news: The city's annual greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 12.9 percent between 2005 and 2009. But inside the report is a worrisome statistic for sustainable transportation advocates. Barely any of that decrease is attributable to a greener transportation system. In fact, greenhouse gas emissions from private cars actually increased by 1.86 percent over those four years.
October 4, 2010
Will Robert Lieber’s Successor Finally Fill the Gaps in PlaNYC 2030?
City Hall has another big vacancy to fill. This morning the Bloomberg administration announced that Robert Lieber, deputy mayor for economic development, is returning to the private sector. Lieber's portfolio includes the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the Department of City Planning. His departure could create a window of opportunity to fill some of the biggest gaps in the city's sustainability agenda, PlaNYC 2030.
May 19, 2010
Advocates: New Parking Requirements Make Housing More Expensive
Reforming New York City parking policy is a critical component of reducing automobile use and building better public spaces. It's becoming increasingly clear that rethinking how we store cars can help address New York City's housing crisis as well. Requiring parking not only creates traffic, it also prevents housing from being built and drives up prices.
May 6, 2010
PlaNYC Mastermind Rohit Aggarwala Leaving NYC
Rohit Aggarwala (better known as Rit), the lead author of PlaNYC 2030 and director of the Mayor's Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, is leaving the post he created from scratch, the Bloomberg administration announced today. Aggarwala will be stepping down in June to join his soon-to-be wife in California.
April 1, 2010
Mayor’s Office: Electric Cars Must Comply With PlaNYC Goal of Fewer Cars
New York City is not looking to create infrastructure for charging cars on city streets. Image: theqsqueaks via Flickr. “Electric vehicles are here. They’re coming, and they won’t stop.” Last night, DOT Deputy Commissioner Bruce Schaller opened a panel discussion on electric car adoption in New York City with an implicit message: We should be … Continued
February 12, 2010
PlaNYC Report Takes a Restrained Approach to Promoting Electric Cars
Last week, the Mayor's Office of Long-term Planning and Sustainability released its newest report, "Exploring Electric Vehicle Adoption in New York City" [PDF]. In a breezy 22 pages, it lays out some strategies to maximize electric vehicle purchases by so-called early adopters in the next five years.
January 29, 2010