We surpassed our year-end fundraiser goal! We couldn't have done this without you...
Happy New Year from the Design Trust! 🎊 2023 was another transformative year for investing in the public spaces New Yorkers share.
A huge THANK YOU to all who generously contributed to our Year-End Appeal. We are ecstatic to announce that we surpassed our $25,000 goal! Your support ensures that we can continue to create equitable community spaces across NYC, and beyond. We are looking forward to another year of designing a more vibrant and inclusive city with you. (And if you haven't given yet, please consider kicking-off 2024 by making a tax-deductible gift.)
Here’s a look back at some of what we accomplished together in a year:
NYC leaders convened for the Restorative City conference at the Ford Foundation to confront health inequity through city planning and urban design. Watch the panels here.
The emergency outdoor dining program was made permanent as “Dining Out NYC,” preserving culture and local economy. This legislation also demonstrates the vast potential of public space and how we can better utilize our curbs for community use.
Ya-Ting Liu was appointed as NYC's first-ever Chief Public Realm Officer, marking a historic investment in public space management.
We kicked off The Neurodiverse City project, rethinking public space access to better support neurodivergent New Yorkers.
Green Space Connections began engaging New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents to design their own community spaces. Opening the Edgeprepared for a groundbreaking on a new public space at the Lillian Wald Houses in the Lower East Side.
Turnout NYC returned for another summer, utilizing local public spaces for arts and culture access. Turnout was named a finalist in the Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards for Social Justice. Relive the magic.
Our Photo Urbanism program unveiled a new exhibition at the Brooklyn Public Library New Lots Branch, exploring vacant lots in East New York.
Not to mention the return of our Public Space Potlucks, Design Trust Council Events, Fellows Forums, and year-round advocacy for public space investments.
We have even more in store for 2024. Thank you for following our work and supporting our mission. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay tuned for upcoming fellowship openings, our first public space potluck of 2024, and project news!
Photo credit, top to bottom, left-to-right: Patterson Houses Green Space Connections Mural. Neurodiverse City Playground Audit. Opening the Edge Family Day at Lillian Wald Houses. NYC DOT Open Street. Outdoor Dining via 6sqft. Uptown Grand Central. Green Space Connections. Restorative City Convening.