design-references

Public Design Commission


Annual ReportDesigning New YorkNews


Design Resources and Publications

Designing New York

In collaboration with partner agencies and organizations, the Public Design Commission has developed the Designing New York series, which provides guiding principles and recommendations for the quality design of public spaces.

Recently Published:

Designing New York: Streetscapes for Wellness

Data

PDC Annual Reports

NYC Open Data Portal

Interagency Resources

Active Design

Active Design Guidelines

Active Design: Shaping the Sidewalk Experience

Affordable Housing

Designing New York: Quality Affordable Housing

NYC Interagency Affordable Housing Review Process

Art

NYC Cultural Affairs Percent for Art Program

NYC Cultural Affairs Public Art Resources

She Built NYC

Bird-Friendly Buildings

American Bird Conservancy - Resources for Architects, Planners, and Developers

Bird-Friendly Building Design

Bird-Safe Building Guidelines

New York City Audubon

Climate Resiliency and Sustainability

Design and Planning for Flood Resiliency: Guidelines for NYC Parks

NYC Mayor's Office of Recovery and Resiliency - Climate Resiliency Design Guidelines

Planning for Climate Resiliency

Retrofitting Buildings for Flood Risk

Sustainable New York

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Waterfront Revitalization Program Coastal Zone Boundary Map

Zoning for Coastal Flood Resiliency

Design and Construction Excellence

What is good design?

Good design is good process.

Good design seeks solutions that are dignified, accessible and community-oriented; it strives to make all New Yorkers feel welcome and valued.

Good design thoughtfully responds to context and site conditions.

Good design achieves a creative balance between functional and programmatic requirements, operational and maintenance practices, and performance and innovation.

Good design is sustainable, resilient, durable, and easily maintained.

Good design considers solutions to long-term and emergent risks and opportunities, such as changing climate and public safety conditions, as well as new technologies and ways of living and working.

Good design requires a conscientious attention to schedule, budget, and operational costs to ensure that public funds are well spent, and communities well served.

Good design employs best practices, innovative methodologies, and appropriate technologies.

Good design is guided by a civic consciousness and social responsibility to provide spaces that promote discourse, exemplify accessible government, and inspire pride in our communities.

Good design is collaborative and inclusive of all stakeholders, including sponsor and partner agencies, consultants and contractors, and the community.

NYC DDC Design and Construction Excellence

NYC DDC Design and Construction Resources and Publications

NYC DDC Community Presentations

NYC DDC Project Excellence Principles

Maps and Data

NYCity Map - Applicants may find this to be a helpful resource for locating the relevant Community Board and City Council District numbers required on the PDC Application Form for each project.

NYC Bike Map

NYC Community Boards

NYC City Council Districts

NYC Facilities Explorer

NYC Landmarks Map

NYC Planning GIS Maps and Datasets

NYC Street Tree Map

PDC Quality Affordable Housing Map

Streetscape Design

Newsstand Size and Clearance Requirements

NYCDOT Library

NYCDOT Measuring the Street

NYCDOT Plant Finder Tool

NYCDOT Plaza Program

NYCDOT Street Design Manual

NACTO Urban Street Design Guide

Streetscapes of New York: pocket zine by the NYC Public Design Commission

Pandemic Response:

Design Corps: Small Business Reopening Network

NACTO Streets for Pandemic Response & Recovery

Neighborhoods Now Toolkit: Tools for Community-led Recovery
An initiative by Urban Design Forum and Van Alen Institute

NYCDOT Dining Out NYC - Roadway Cafes and Sidewalk Cafes

NYCDOT Temporary Open Restaurants Program

NYCDOT Open Streets

NYCDOT Streets for Recovery: The Economic Benefits of the NYC Open Streets Program

NYC Recovery for All

Urban Design Forum: Streets Ahead Initiative

Urban Design and the Public Realm

Cities as Spaces for Opportunities for All: Building Public Spaces for People with Disabilities, Children and Elders

The Hidden Wealth of Cities: Creating, Financing, and Managing Public Spaces

NCPC Open to the Public: Rethinking Security & Access in Public Space

NYC Planning Urban Design

NYC Planning Principles of Good Urban Design for New York City