New York City is a bustling metropolis that has been revolutionizing urban planning and public transportation for centuries. From the first buses, streetcars, and trains that marked the streets and skies of the five boroughs to the modern-day NYC Ferry, public transportation has been an integral part of one of the largest cities on Earth. The Mayor's Administration Report and other periodicals have reported on the New York Department of Transportation's (NYDOT) efforts to reduce congestion and promote high-performance modes. This New York City mobility report is part of the NYDOT's efforts to develop long-term sustainable solutions for New York City's transportation needs and improve accessibility and mobility throughout the city.
Unfortunately, dedicating much of New York City's limited public space to car traffic has caused widespread and deeply inequitable damage, particularly for already vulnerable populations. As more than half of New Yorkers rely on public transportation to get to work, delays and disruptions can spread across the city. Spatial Equity NYC, a new online tool and report card released by Transportation Alternatives and Norman B. McLennon-Wier, Ph.
D., revealed alarming inequality in the way public spaces are used in New York City and how this translates into enormous disparities in public health, environmental resilience, and mobility in different neighborhoods. The mission of the Living Cities Alliance for Urbanism (LCAU) is to establish a new platform for theoretical and applied research to create knowledge that can be used to transform the quality of life in the entire urban world. Transportation Alternatives has been advocating for accessible spaces and cleaner air that allows people with disabilities to live, work, play, and love while living in New York City. NYC Ferry offers a new option to the transportation network which reduces travel times from many parts of the city and connects more New Yorkers to the coast.
It is a testament to New York City's ability to evolve and renew old spaces without losing touch with their roots, even if those roots are above street level. To address these inequities, TA recommends that New York City leaders turn space for cars into a space that puts people first. Public transportation has also kept the streets much cleaner as well, which was important as New York grew and moved faster. In New York City, streets and sidewalks constitute the majority of public spaces, with 76 percent dedicated to parking and moving cars.
