The Built Environment and the Public Realm

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Department of Design and Construction (DDC)

The New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC), established in 1996, serves as the City’s primary capital construction project manager. With a mission rooted in public service, DDC delivers high-quality design and professional project management services to over 20 City agencies and non-profit organizations that receive City funding. The agency is responsible for shaping the public realm through essential projects that touch nearly every aspect of urban life, from libraries and cultural institutions to sewers and sidewalks.

DDC is committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers, including those with disabilities, can safely and independently access the public buildings and spaces it creates. As a testament to this commitment, DDC established an ADA Compliance Unit in 2019 to serve as a specialized team dedicated to ensuring that projects exceed the standards set forth by the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, Chapter 11 of the NYC Building Code, and apply universal and inclusive design principles. This Unit conducts detailed accessibility plan reviews, leads field inspections, provides consultations, and supports project teams in making informed, inclusive design decisions. The ADA Compliance Unit was also responsible for DDC’s implementation of Local Law 12 of 2023, which requires City agencies to assess and report on physical barriers within City-owned buildings, which included conducting facility surveys, coordinating data collection, and collaborating with partner agencies to build a citywide inventory of accessibility issues. This work is critical to developing long-term, equitable improvement plans that not only meet legal requirements but also promote universal design principles. Additionally, the ADA Compliance Unit plays an integral role in shaping future policy through its involvement in the 2023 NYC Building Code Revision Committee.

DDC, partnered with its client agencies, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), is tasked with upgrading old infrastructure systems and building new, while also taking care of step streets, retaining walls, pedestrian bridges and plazas. In 2018, DDC’s Infrastructure Division created a Pedestrian Ramp Construction Unit, which is tasked with providing pedestrian (curb) ramps citywide that meet applicable accessibility laws and guidelines. In 2024, DDC administered a capital program consisting of approximately 32 active construction projects, which resulted in the upgrade of over 4,800 sidewalk corners, which is 9,600 pedestrian ramps, that exceed the ADA requirements.

DDC’s accessibility mission also extends to the City’s large-scale resilience and justice initiatives. As part of the City’s response to climate change, DDC is leading the design and implementation of key Coastal Resiliency projects, which aims to safeguard neighborhoods from flooding while enhancing access to waterfronts and public open spaces. Ensuring these areas are universally accessible, with barrier-free pathways, inclusive recreational areas, and resilient public infrastructure, as a guiding design principle. Similarly, DDC is playing a central role in the Borough-Based Jails program — the City’s initiative to close Rikers Island and build modern, community-centered jail facilities in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. These new facilities are being designed with a strong emphasis on accessibility, dignity, and wellness. From barrier-free entries and inclusive interior layouts to dedicated health, educational, and therapeutic spaces, the program reflects the City’s commitment to more humane and equitable justice infrastructure.

DDC is also delivering critical public infrastructure through Alternative Delivery (formerly Design-Build), a project delivery method that was authorized under the New York City Public Works Investment Act in 2019. This approach allows a single team to design and construct a project under one contract, fostering greater coordination, efficiency, and accountability. Each project executed through this model emphasizes conformance with accessibility standards, public safety, and long-term operational performance, ensuring that inclusivity and sustainability are built into the design from day one.

To support design professionals and enhance coordination across all projects, DDC continues to evolve its internal systems and guidance tools. Among these is the 2025 Design Consultant Guideline (DCG), an essential resource for firms working on public building projects. The DCG communicates DDC’s expectations, processes, and technical requirements with clarity, helping consultants better align with City goals and streamline their project workflows. It reflects DDC’s broader push toward more efficient, consistent, and responsive project delivery, while reinforcing the importance of sustainable, and resilient civic architecture, and to establish higher accessibility standards and design principles.

These ongoing efforts are part of DDC’s larger transformation, one that prioritizes inclusive design, timely delivery, and community-centered outcomes. Through enhanced collaboration, data-driven improvements, and a commitment to innovation, the agency is modernizing how capital projects are conceived, built, and sustained across New York City. Looking to the future, DDC remains grounded in its mission to deliver public spaces that are accessible, enduring, and responsive to the needs of all New Yorkers. DDC’s work is made possible by the dedication of City staff, the expertise of its design and construction partners, and the vision of the communities DDC serves. Together, DDC and its partners and stakeholders are shaping a built environment that supports civic life, strengthens neighborhoods, and expands opportunity — one project at a time.

Department of Citywide and Administrative Services

The Department of Citywide Court Administration (DCAS) manages, operates, and maintains around 55 City-owned buildings across the five boroughs with varying levels of accessibility. The entire DCAS portfolio of buildings totals over 15 million square feet, with more than 50% of the portfolio occupied by City agencies. The Office of Court Administration occupies the portfolio’s remaining seven million square feet.

To view the portfolio of buildings managed by DCAS, please visit the DCAS Managed Public Buildings page.

DCAS also leases multiple sites to support operations for both DCAS and the Office of Court Administration. As a landlord, DCAS is committed to providing safe, clean, and energy-efficient spaces for its tenants and is responsible for the maintenance of the common areas in each building, including entrances, building lobbies, elevators, common hallways, stairwells, common area bathrooms, and means of egress.

In support of its commitment to accessibility, DCAS ensures that all new construction and renovations meet accessibility standards in accordance with the New York City Building Codes, 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, the 1991 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, and any additional state and local requirements that may apply. At the same time, where feasible, DCAS strives to remove existing accessibility barriers to current programs, services, and activities, as the ADA requires, to allow equal access to people with disabilities.

In 2019, architectural accessibility surveys were conducted on 29 court buildings by Ronnette Riley Architects to identify barriers to accessibility. The primary focus of the surveys was public-facing services, and standard review methods were applied to each service, including entrances and interior routes, courtrooms, juror areas, amenities, public services, restrooms, elevators and lifts, doors, parking, and signage. Additionally, areas not on the standard public route, such as offices, and egress routes, were also evaluated to provide a global view of the accessibility of the building.

The City of New York retained Ronnette Riley Architects to complete the architectural surveys of the remaining court buildings and Steven B. Jacobs Group, PC, to perform this work for the non-court buildings. As of March 2025, 100% of building accessibility surveys at DCAS-managed court and non-court buildings and identified related projects were completed at an estimated cost of $223 million.

Most barriers that have been identified require long-term plans that involve engineering and design consultation as well as the receipt of additional funding to address required accessibility improvements. However, based on approved funding to date, several construction projects are planned and in progress over the next five years that will include accessibility upgrades to DCAS facilities, including wheelchair lift replacements, restroom upgrades, elevator upgrades, and other building renovations that will make its spaces ADA-compliant. DCAS also uses expense funds to implement smaller ADA projects, such as signage, automatic doors, and the installation of temporary lifts or ramps when needed, to provide accessibility for employees and visitors with disabilities.  

The NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and Universal Design

Universal Design (UD) is a design philosophy focused on creating environments, products, and services that are usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. It goes beyond ADA compliance by striving not only to meet minimum legal standards but to foster inclusive, intuitive, and welcoming experiences for everyone.

NYCEDC is incorporating principles of Universal Design across construction projects at the early design & procurement stage, to promote equity, accessibility, and usability throughout New York City’s built environment.

Key initiatives include:

• Inclusive Procurement: NYCEDC has added Universal Design language to its Design Request for Proposals (RFPs) to ensure accessibility is prioritized from the outset of the project.
• Brooklyn Army Terminal Pilot: As part of NYCEDC’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion, the Brooklyn Army Terminal (BAT) is serving as a pilot site for the integration of Universal Design. This pilot is testing inclusive strategies in collaboration with architectural consultants, and the insights gained are helping to inform the development of new Universal Design standards that will be applied more broadly across future projects.
• Family-Friendly Pilot at MADE: At the MADE campus in Sunset Park, NYCEDC is piloting a bathroom installation incorporating Universal Design principles, to support a diverse range of users, including families, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities. The design is intended to reflect real-world inclusivity, incorporating features such as step stools to help children wash their hands, full-length mirrors, accessible hardware, and hooks.
• The Offshore Wind Learning Center “WindScape Brooklyn”: Equinor’s Offshore Wind Learning Center “WindScape Brooklyn”, to be located at Industry City overlooking the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal in Sunset Park, aims to include elements of Universal Design. Every exhibit in WindScape Brooklyn has undergone a thorough evaluation by the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access at the University of Buffalo, ensuring a welcoming experience for all. Exhibitions will feature multilingual text, engaging interactive displays including tactile panels and audio, benches and oversized circulation paths for ease of movement for people with disabilities, high contrast text and ample illumination, and diverse actors included in video and audio clips. This approach seeks to ensure that everyone can engage in multiple ways with the content presented. WindScape Brooklyn will be seeking UD certification from the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access after completing construction.

Through these and other efforts, including contributions to the Family Friendly Design Guidelines (discussed immediately below), NYCEDC is advancing a vision of Universal Design that fosters equitable, intuitive, and welcoming spaces — setting a leadership example for accessibility and inclusion in urban development.

Family-Friendly Design Guidelines

In March 2025, the Mayor and the NYC Public Design Commission released the Building a Family-Friendly City: Design Guidelines for a Safer, More Livable, Public Realm to promote safe, accessible, and inclusive spaces for children, parents, caregivers, and older adults. These guidelines provide best practices spanning planning, design, and ongoing maintenance, supported by case studies from across New York City.

MOPD and multiple other City agencies supported the development of the guidelines.

Promoting Safe and Accessible Sidewalks, Plazas and Streets

Public Seating

NYC DOT installs and maintains benches and leaning bars on sidewalks and plazas. The benches and leaning bars may be used by all NYC residents, workers, and visitors. With places to rest, people can take longer journeys, empowering bus riders, seniors, and people with disabilities. As of November 2025, NYC DOT has permanently installed over 2,900 benches and leaning bars. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/seating .

Pedestrian Plazas

NYC DOT partners with community organizations to create plazas and prioritize neighborhoods that lack open space, amongst other criteria. Plazas may include amenities such as chairs, tables, umbrellas, greenery, public art, lighting, and may also offer public programming, markets, and other events for community members to enjoy throughout the year. You can find more information by visiting nyc.gov/plazas .

Pedestrian Ramps

Pedestrian ramps provide access on and off our streets and sidewalks and are essential tools for pedestrians, especially people with disabilities and aging New Yorkers, as well as people pushing strollers, carts, and other wheeled objects. 

Since July 2017, the City (through its Department of Design and Construction and Department of Transportation) have installed more than 4,500 new pedestrian ramps where they did not previously exist and have upgraded approximately 57,800 existing pedestrian ramps. All new and upgraded pedestrian ramps include a detectable warning surface to help guide individuals who are blind or have low vision.

For more information on pedestrian ramps visit http://nycpedramps.info .

Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS)

NYC DOT’s Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) are devices affixed to pedestrian signal poles to assist pedestrians who are blind or have low vision in crossing the street. APSs are wired to a pedestrian signal and send audible and vibrotactile indications when pedestrians push a button installed at the crosswalk.

NYC DOT has installed accessible pedestrian signals in all five boroughs by collaborating with the disability community on identifying priority intersections. As of April 30, 2025, there were APS units installed at 13,861 signalized intersections citywide. A full list of APS locations is available at nyc.gov/accessiblepedsignals .

Safe Streets for Seniors

NYC DOT evaluates pedestrian conditions in priority neighborhoods from a senior's perspective and implements safety improvements. Such improvements include extending pedestrian crossing times at crosswalks to accommodate slower walking speeds, constructing pedestrian safety islands, widening curbs and medians, narrowing roadways, and installing new stop controls and signals. NYC DOT frequently applies for and has received numerous federal grants to construct these safety improvements and bring targeted benefits to the City’s most vulnerable population. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/SafeStreetsforSeniors .

Leading Pedestrian Signals

Leading pedestrian signals give pedestrians a walk sign before showing a green light to car traffic. This gives pedestrians a chance to begin crossing the street before cars make turns across the crosswalk. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/dotaccessibility.

Ur In Luck

In June 2024, Mayor Adams launched “Ur In Luck,” a new effort to expand New Yorkers’ access to public restrooms across all five boroughs, including the installation of 46 new restrooms and the renovation of 36 existing restrooms by NYC Parks. All new restrooms will be fully accessible and the 36 restrooms being renovated will receive improvements ranging from additional stalls to accessibility upgrades, as well as energy efficient features.

At the same time, the city has made wayfinding to the city’s public restrooms better by introducing a new public restrooms Google Maps layer  that New Yorkers can activate on their phones to easily find the location of every public restroom operated by a wide-range of agencies and civic institutions citywide. The google maps layer includes accessibility information for all 1,000+ restrooms on the map.

Parks

NYC Parks, which is the steward of more than 30,000 acres of land (14% of New York City) continues as a world leader in the planning, design and construction of universally accessible parks and playgrounds. During the Adams administration, Parks has incorporated accessibility upgrades into all eligible capital projects, ensuring greater access for all New Yorkers and visitors throughout the year.

Parks has also continued to offer adaptive fitness, sports, and arts programs in its parks and recreation centers. While many NYC Parks programs are accessible, these programs are geared specifically towards people with physical disabilities. In 2016, the Parks Department instituted a reduced annual membership fee for its recreation centers of $25 for people with self-disclosed disabilities. In the most recent fiscal year (FY25), 2,548 individuals with disabilities held recreation center memberships. 

Recent initiatives geared towards assisting people with disabilities include the following:

• Accessibility Information included in New Playgrounds Directory
  In March 2023, Parks launched a completely revamped playgrounds directory on its website. The project introduced detailed pages for each NYC Parks playground featuring accessibility information, along with a citywide playground map to complement the existing list view.
• “Disability Advocacy” Category Included in Let’s Green NYC Volunteer Directory
  In June 2023, Parks initiated the Let's Green NYC Volunteer Directory which, for the first time, published the details of hundreds of volunteer groups in one place online, allowing NYC residents to connect with others dedicated to their local parks and outdoor spaces. Groups were categorized in the directory, making it easy to find individuals engaged in interests such as "Disability Advocacy" and "Senior Focused."
• Introduction of the Beach Wheelchair Request Form
  In June 2025, Parks introduced the Beach Wheelchair Request form on its website, enabling easy and free online reservations of beach wheelchairs for use with NYC Parks' beach mats, allowing mobility device users to traverse the beach right up to the water's edge.

To find an adaptive hub or other recreation facilities, visit Accessible Facilities: NYC Parks. You can also learn more about Parks in general by visiting  https://www.nycgovparks.org/

Adaptive Cycling Program

Citi Bike is the city’s bike share system that is run through a public-private partnership between New York City (via the City’s Department of Transportation) and Lyft. In Fall 2021, Citi Bike launched an adaptive cycling pilot program with Achilles International. Currently, the program offers 25 vehicles, including handcycles and tandems, for free usage at several locations in city parks between late May and early November.  Vehicles can be reserved for recreational use and cannot be used for commuting elsewhere. Achilles staff and volunteer guides are on-site to answer any questions and help train new riders.

Dining Out NYC

New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) manages one of the largest outdoor dining programs in the country. Dining Out NYC is already more than two and half times the size of the pre-COVID sidewalk cafe program and applications remain open year-round at nyc.gov/DiningOut. Currently there are over 3,000 outdoor dining cafes operating in either the roadway or on the sidewalk.

As established by the City Council, establishments can operate sidewalk setups year-round, while roadway dining operates seasonally, from April 1 to November 29.

Restaurants must provide a clear path of travel on the sidewalk for pedestrians, accessible tables, and an accessible route to on-street seating via ramp or decking. Restaurants are required to maintain a clear path of travel as indicated in the Dining Out NYC Rules.

The requirements are as follows:

• Global Corridors – 12 Feet
• Regional Corridors - 10 Feet
• Neighborhood Corridors – 8 Feet
• Community Corridors – 8 Feet
• Baseline Corridors – 8 Feet

NYC DOT created a Dining Out NYC Marketplace that serves as a directory for businesses that sell or rent compliant outdoor dining set-ups and services. Rentals are available for prices as low as just over $1,000 a month, or $33 a day, to provide affordable set-up options that do not require restaurants to find storage when the roadway outdoor dining season ends. The website also features detailed set guides, making the rules and regulations easier to follow for establishment owners thus removing the need to hire architects and engineers which is a huge cost savings.

Opening Doors: An Innovation Challenge for Accessibility in Housing and Small Businesses

In September 2025, the Department of Buildings (DOB) and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) announced the launch of the first-ever Accessibility Innovation Challenge. This open call invites creative ideas aimed at promoting equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the built environment. As part of their shared mission to build a more inclusive City, DOB and HPD invited architects, engineers, developers, advocates, accessibility experts, and members of the public to submit forward-thinking ideas to improve access, inclusion, and universal design in New York City residential buildings and small businesses.

The challenge specifically sought ideas on:

• enhancing mobility and accessibility in multifamily buildings and storefronts
• designing for neurodiversity, sensory accessibility, and cognitive inclusion
• integrating emerging technologies to assist people with disabilities
• retrofitting older buildings for greater accessibility
• modernizing design standards, practices; and 
• rethinking vertical access solutions (elevators, ramps, lifts, etc.).

A panel of judges drawn from government agencies and industry experts will review the submissions and pick the best ideas as challenge winners. The winners of this innovation challenge may receive DOB technical support and assistance in introducing their ideas to the building and construction industry, and those ideas potentially could lead to changes to the city’s construction codes.

Database of Assistive Listening Systems in City Buildings

Local Law 51 of 2017 requires the installation of induction loop systems for certain capital projects paid for in whole or in part by City funds and that the City publish a list, to be updated annually, of locations owned or operated by the City with assistive listening devices, including the type of device. The list is available on MOPD’s website at nyc.gov/LL51List.

LinkNYC

LinkNYC is a first-of-its-kind communications network that has replaced pay phones across the five boroughs. Each LinkNYC structure provides super-fast, free public Wi-Fi, phone calls, device charging, and a tablet for access to city services, maps, and directions. LinkNYC kiosks offer a range of accessibility features, including Speech to Speech (STS) Relay Services and Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) for users with speech or hearing disabilities, and Purple Video Relay for ASL users. Each kiosk includes a hearing loop for T-coil hearing aids, braille-marked controls, and Android’s Talkback screen reader. The Accessibility tile on the home screen provides quick access to tools like zoom, color inversion, and relay services. All kiosks meet ADA standards.

 

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