FROM IMAGINE TO ACTIVATE: a quick guide to improving NYCHA’s open space!

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!

We encourage all NYCHA residents and prospective project partners to use this guide as a resource and a call to action to commit to the improvement of NYCHA open spaces. Together, we can make NYCHA a wonderful place to live and play, now and for future generations.

You can flip through this guide on your browser, download a digital version, or request a hard copy by completing the form below.

If you have any questions please email us at openspace@communityfund.nyc — we’d love to hear from you!