Neighborhoods Now

In collaboration with Van Alen Institute, we are connecting neighborhoods hard-hit by the pandemic with firms in our network.

Overview

A collaboration between the Urban Design Forum and Van Alen Institute, Neighborhoods Now connects New York City neighborhoods hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic with firms in our collective network.

By building interdisciplinary partnerships, Neighborhoods Now has supported local organizations leading their communities’ recovery. Nearly two years later, what began as a responsive six-week sprint developed into a platform for enduring partnerships and collective activism.

Through Neighborhoods Now: Forward, we’re continuing this work in 2022, transitioning from rapid, tactical responses to long-term recovery strategies on a wider scale. Led by community organizations, seven interdisciplinary teams will enliven and program public space, provide technical support to small businesses, and strengthen cultural activities.

Neighborhoods Now: Forward is made possible through a grant from Wells Fargo’s Open for Business Fund. With yearlong funding in place, each team is developing projects to build long-term resiliency in neighborhood economies. To strengthen learning across communities, teams will convene throughout the year to exchange their experiences and build connections.

Current Partners

82nd Street Partnership

Creating a roadmap for Jackson Heights’ 82nd Street commercial corridor to rebuild from the pandemic.

Think!Chinatown and Asian Americans for Equality

Expanding the night market Chinatown Nights through a redesign and new community outreach.

Bed-Stuy Gateway BID

Building on Winter Wonderland, an open-air holiday market supporting local small businesses.

Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation

Developing new financial and spatial resources to support small businesses in Brooklyn.

Community League of the Heights

Conducting a needs assessment of businesses to help create a thriving and vibrant commercial corridor.

Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition

Completing a neighborhood assessment to understand the challenges and opportunities for small businesses.

FABnyc

Strengthening sites for cultural activity and planning new sites and platforms.

Past Partners

Banana Kelly

Reactivation of community gardens in the South Bronx.

Cooper Square Committee

An office retrofit to reduce the risk of COVID-19 for staff and clients.

University Neighborhood Housing Program

An office update in accordance with COVID-19 safety protocols.

Resources

We compiled our work into a set of design recommendations and prototypes to address immediate and long-term needs during the pandemic. This included COVID-19 awareness campaigns, open air dining, and outdoor education and cultural programming.

View Our Resources

Participants

We invite interdisciplinary experts to join the Neighborhoods Now initiative in support of our working groups. Our experts range from firms and individuals working in public health and law to environmental graphics and small business lending.

See the Full List of Participants

2020-21 Report

The results of our work in 2020-21 were a set of design recommendations and prototypes addressing immediate needs for COVID-19 awareness campaigns, open air dining, and outdoor education and cultural programming. Several prototypes have now been implemented, and Van Alen Institute and the Urban Design Forum are supporting additional implementation through 2022. Neighborhoods’ needs also went beyond design and physical interventions. Working groups organized financial workshops for small businesses, drafted legal templates, and collaborated with senior staff at City agencies to help neighborhoods navigate programs like Open Streets and Open Restaurants.