Design Trust for Public Space
Public Housing Community Fund
We are thrilled to introduce this new reference guide, created to help us all work together to improve and enhance open spaces across New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) campuses. This guide represents the collaborative efforts of the Public Housing Community Fund, the Design Trust for Public Space, NYCHA, partners, and residents. Collectively, we work to transform our city’s open spaces into vibrant, inclusive, and resilient hubs that strengthen communities and empower residents.
Open spaces are at the heart of NYCHA communities, offering places for recreation, relaxation, and connection. While these spaces already play an important role in daily life, we recognize that many have untapped potential to become even more active and engaging through thoughtful design and investment. Building from the principles outlined in NYCHA’s Connected Communities Guidelines and the Open Space Master Plan, this guide is designed to help support the visions of NYCHA residents for the future of the campuses where they live and play. By supporting partnerships with community groups, designers, and funders, we can increase the work currently underway on NYCHA’s campuses. This guide outlines a clear path to make that vision a reality, providing five key steps for residents and their partners to follow: IMAGINE, PARTNER, DESIGN, BUILD, and ACTIVATE!