The Open Streets of New York City

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Streets are highly valuable public spaces. And in any city, public space is important in order for a community to be a community. To see each other and know that other people exist in the neighborhood. As dense as New York City is, it still offers up miles and miles of open streets to the community. Learn more in this video.
RELATED LINK:
Newark Open Street (Jersey City, New Jersey) → • An open street on Newa...
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Why are the streets of Queens so confusing → • What's the deal with Q...
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CREDITS (FOOTAGE):
Aerial of Monterey Bay, CA → Hangtime Media / Shutterstock
Aerial of Long Island City → Rick Ray / Shutterstock
Monterey street market/fair → Arthur Cauty / Shutterstock
Cannery Row, Monterey, CA → An Instant of Time / Shutterstock
Pride parade → Just dance / Shutterstock
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[@knarf_on_a_bike]

Streets are for people!

[@JimAllen-Persona]

Sidewalks are for people, streets are for cars. Sorry. Doesn’t mean that cars have it all the time and if you want to divert traffic for a pedestrian activity, let drivers know in advance and give us a workable detour. That’s really all I ask as a driver. We really do have to share the infrastructure.

[@iliatebenkov473]

​@@JimAllen-Personawrong, streets are for people and roads are for cars

[@DeadPiixxel]

​@JimAllen-Persona we don't take too kindly to your kind 😂

[@stepheneson4107]

Another great video! One trick you display frequently in this video are location markers identifying where the street scene is. That's a great idea and I hope you continue to do that in all of your videos. Many thanks!

[@WilliamPhillippe]

One must commend you on very well researched reports/ videos. As a Queens resident I avail myself of 34th Avenue Open Streets to commute to work on my bicycle, and it is a portion of my ride where I tend to slow down to drink in the views and watch the people, dogs, markets and glorious plants alongside the avenue. Superb stuff!

[@maureenmaureen713]

So AGREE❣️. Thea’s videos are a GREAT lesson for all of KZbin, informative, organized, interesting, creative, with a touch of whimsy. 🙋🏼‍♀️🎉👏🏻⚡️💫

[@JimAllen-Persona]

No place better for people watching than Times Square. It really is the crossroads of the world and sometimes it’s downright hilarious.

[@Flushing2Fishtown]

I was recently in Montreal and the pedestrianized streets there are extremely well done. Avenue Mont-Royal in le Plateau in particular is incredible. It's pedestrian-only for almost a mile and a half! Its lined with restaurants and shops, full of activity, and the metro station opens up right onto it.

[@UrbanCaffeine]

I'll keep that in mind! I'll be in Montreal next weekend.

[@Flushing2Fishtown]

@@UrbanCaffeine It's a wonderful city, you'll love it I'm sure!

[@morisdegraaf362]

Only discovered you yesterday and already watched most of your NYC videos. Apart from being informative, you are one funny lady

[@osagiee.guobadia-secondytc4624]

On June 4th, I visit the TAMA Open Street Fair that is located at Throop Avenue / Gates Avenue in Brooklyn. There were lots of crowd who do all of these business there. My favorite is when performers performed songs and every crowd dance. I dance and it was cool. You know going to the TAMA open streets in Brooklyn kind of remind me of going to a party. : )

[@mentonerodominicano]

I remember when Time Square didn't have the Plaza. It was ridiculous to move around.

[@JimAllen-Persona]

It still is but it is better. Try moving on Broadway between 7:15 and 7:45 pm. It would help if the NYPD put up a divider between northbound and southbound pedestrian traffic.

[@MTAFan585]

In Bay Ridge they had 3rd Avenue closed for NYC Open Streets/Summer Stroll is a great way to communicate with the community and friends that you may know or can make friends. I wish they have this more often in Brooklyn such as Downtown Brooklyn,Bay Ridge, and Park Slope!! I love the idea but will it be possible for drivers to experience this new way of society and communication to NYC!!

[@adventureswithcarl123]

I like open streets in new york city especially times square...so much fun to people watch there! Good morning beautiful lady😘😘😘xox! Have a wonderful day

[@Piotorro]

I really appreciate your videos, having lived in Amsterdam for some time, I came to very much adore focus on walkability, open streets, comfortable and open public spaces. One might say the dutch are taking back the streets from cars more and more. I am glad that same trends is slowly coming to to the NYC, which I also love and miss visiting. Keep up great work.

[@Urban_Man]

walkable neighborhoods are great!

[@poohoo4495]

East 14th Street by Union Square was a pop up open street yesterday 😮

[@UrbanCaffeine]

Geez. Yeah, I saw that on the news. So nuts!

[@AntonWongVideo]

I'm actually currently reading "Streetfight" and "Walkable Cities" which bring up some similar points you make

[@UrbanCaffeine]

Nice reading list! ☕️

[@clarklk]

I really like your videos, but this was one of my favorites. This is the first time I've ever thought of "open streets" as being a valuable part of a city.

[@JimAllen-Persona]

Go to Annapolis (or most cities) that do First Night (New Years Eve). Cars are blocked off (shuttle trolley are available like every 15 min) the shops, restaurants and bars are open and generally (somewhat surprisingly) there are no problems. It’s not like the insanity that is Times Square.. it’s a good time.

[@mood4eva98]

I miss this lifestyle fr 😢

[@whiskeyflames7603]

This looks awesome! :)

[@LARKXHIN]

We sort of have something like this in my city - which is about twice the size of Monterey, and five times less interesting -- but the streets are so small and old you can't find parking near by to go to them :( the thought is nice.

[@jimbo1637]

I've alway thought that Broadway would be an ideal candidate for open streets since it runs through all of Manhattan, is not part of the grid and Times Square, Herald Square and Union Square have already been pedestrianized meaning that much of Broadway is effectively already closed to through traffic.

[@jesusramones1]

Great video! I’d love to hear you talk about how NYC deals with its unhoused population, here in PDX it’s bananas

[@UrbanCaffeine]

Thanks. Housing is a complex topic with lots involved. I feel it's bananas for many cities.🍌

[@chuck1728]

People watching is a thing in NYC. I knew someone who gathered the whole family and drove into New York City, picked out a nice spot and just people-watched. I confess that when I have lunch in NYC, I sit near a window and people-watch. So many different people, rich and poor, different cultures, all together making their way into the concrete jungle!

[@UrbanCaffeine]

That's so funny that they drive to the city just to see people. But I get it.

[@travellmcintosh]

It's true.😀 Most people from arround the world live in NYC!😄

[@MTAFan585]

I think this is great way to make friends and talking to the community. I was in bay ridge yesterday and they had 3rd Avenue that was closed for NYC Streets or know as a summer stroll which they have music and games for the kids! They should do this every weekend in the summer (weather permitting) in park slope, downtown Brooklyn and like Brooklyn Heights

[@alexanderboulton2123]

Open streets are good because they are public places. People need a place where they can go and do stuff together.

[@31stAveOpenStreet]

Thanks so much for including us! We love seeing the appreciation for Open Streets continue to grow ❤❤❤

[@UrbanCaffeine]

You bet! I love the program.

[@tay-lore]

There are so many better uses for urban space than moving and parking cars. I'd love to go experience the five boro bike tour at some point!

[@cicchiamichael]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🌟🌟🌹🌹

[@michaelo7421]

loves it

[@robertbl7500]

Hi 👋 👍😊✌️!!

[@LECityLECLEC]

I love Monterey! Cant wait for u to analyze other cities like Monterey! Compare and contrast. :)

[@MrJhchrist]

You mentioned parks and rec, have you done a video (or 5) on the parks and all the various programs?

[@UrbanCaffeine]

I've done a couple of videos on parks but they're pretty old at this point. But that's a good idea to talk about programming.