The Design Trust has been unlocking the potential of NYC’s public space since 1995. As we approach the end of our anniversary year, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the past thirty and envision beyond the next, as we launch our 12th open call for project ideas: The Water RFP.

Through a mini-series of three retrospective blog posts, we are looking back at the evolution of the Design Trust, remembering breakthrough projects that have redefined how we think about shared urban environments, and how they can inform projects centering equity and water.

Water quite literally runs through the veins of New York City, extending beyond the base of our goods, services, and utilities, to being a pillar of the city’s culture and a member of our community. As we continue to face increasingly intense climate conditions, New York City now exists in a climate our infrastructure was not designed for. The Water RFP presents a unique opportunity to address the inequitable outcomes of these infrastructure challenges. Project proposals can help heal the wounds left by decades of discriminatory planning practices that diverted resources away from communities of color and low-income neighborhoods.

The next 30 years of public space design will be defined by our ability to embrace innovative approaches that center justice, sustainability, and community agency. Water projects offer us a compelling pathway forward—one that recognizes the interconnectedness of environmental health, social equity, and structural resiliency.

Starting off, we’ll dive into the conversation starting with a look at public health through play. Read on here.