Reclaiming Streets and Plazas

In nearly each and every community, streets comprise the largest percentage of publicly owned land and are the single largest land use. Yet when we think of public spaces we enjoy, streets don’t typically make that list. They’re designed to get us to and from places, but not necessarily to linger, socialize, and create memories like parks, plazas, and other traditional “public spaces” do.

In one city, the pandemic and closing of restaurants provided an opportunity to reclaim a street in a neighborhood with historical disinvestment through a process directed by residents and business owners, which included a youth education and empowerment component. Another big city’s Department of Transportation created vibrant public plazas while local partners bring them to life and are responsible for daily maintenance and producing public events. This panel will feature an array of examples highlighting how communities can improve their public spaces in underserved communities, equipping local stewards to manage public spaces and program them for local needs.