#PSDearNYC by Primate Studio is a collection of ten city improving ideas. From our city streets to the iconic subway, we explored simple to game-changing ideas. Through research, feedback, and design innovation, here are our ten solutions for the city. We hope to inspire public discourse and increase civic participation. 

A lane for runners! Urban running trails integrated into city sidewalks provide runners with cushioned lanes and right-of-way.

Follow the path! Directional arrows facilitate pedestrian traffic flow and wayfinding.

These city provided planters are made to fit the city’s vertical surfaces, providing building owners and residents an easy way to add greenery and reduce pollution.

A neighborhood sustainability competition! Community sustainability boards present visual data on each neighborhood’s air quality, water use, and energy use, creating friendly competition to be more sustainable.

Introducing the subway amenity car! This car increases accessibility by providing extra features like stroller and bike parking.

App-ify the bus experience! Autonomous micro-bus lines are fixed-route, on-demand shuttles, providing a public transportation option between buses and cabs.

These lanes are for long-distance cyclists, commuting from the suburbs, providing a seamless route to avoid both vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Create launch pads for neighborhood businesses! The affordable retail program is a city subsidized program assisting small, local businesses, built around our existing public housing blocks.

#PSDearNYC

Agency: Primate Studio

Designers: Paul Benson, Anna Lu, Selwyn Rocha

Expertise & Special Thanks: Laura Mueller-Soppart, Graham Cavanagh, Sid Wichienkuer, Channing Ritter, Aliza Nordin

Music: Royalty Free Music from Bensound

References

Urban Running Trail

https://news.cgtn.com/news/3d41544e35497a4d/share_p.html
http://www.greenpen.london/blog/5k-running-track
https://www.the606.org
https://www.chinasmack.com/wp-content/uploads/chinasmack/2014/09/Playground-Built-on-Rooftop-Due-to-Lack-of-Space-Schools-in-china-02.jpeg
http://www.manvmiles.co.uk/2018/03/02/london-rooftop-running-track/
 

Subway Directional Arrows

http://assets.londonist.com/uploads/2015/08/ny-subway-stairs-sign.jpg
https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2017/7/11/15952804/nyc-mta-plan-subway-delays-debt-placemats-arrows
http://gothamist.com/2017/07/11/subway_mats_mta_six_point_plan.php
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/22/nyregion/what-would-it-take-to-fix-new-yorks-subway.html
 

Vertical Planter Program

https://www.6sqft.com/the-flowerbox-building-a-sustainable-gem-in-a-storied-setting/
http://plantwalldesign.com
https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/28/realestate/tending-vertical-gardens.html
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/jan/30/high-line-park-green-cities-industrial-pastoral
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/10/world/americas/vertical-gardens-in-mexico-a-symbol-of-progress.html

Commuter Sustainability Board

https://www.link.nyc
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2011/apr/12/energy-use-households-monitor-electricity
https://mfmcontracting.com/portfolio/linknyc-kiosk-installation/
http://www.surrey.ca/community/15631.aspx
 

Zero Waste Bodega

http://www.sustainabletable.org/2244/food-waste
http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/site/our-work/zero-waste
https://packagefreeshop.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgjw6tZNyjR_8zIFDsIPpww
 

Subway Amenity Car

https://ny.curbed.com/2017/9/21/16315042/nyc-subway-wheelchair-accessible-ada
https://wheelchairtravel.org/new-york-city/public-transportation/
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/19/nyregion/19seats.html

Autonomous Micro-Bus Lines

https://www.curbed.com/2017/11/2/16593004/bus-autonomous-vehicle-electric-public-transportation
https://mcity.umich.edu/shuttle/
https://www.theverge.com/2018/6/7/17434168/lyft-app-redesign-shared-rides-mass-transit
 

Long-Distance Protected Bike Lanes

https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2017/06/cruising-a-superhighway-built-for-bikes/531246/
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/jun/30/intercity-cycle-highways-revolutionise-daily-commute
http://denmark.dk/en/green-living/bicycle-culture/cycle-super-highway

Affordable Retail Program

https://ny.curbed.com/2018/4/2/17188918/de-blasio-retail-blight-new-york-vacancy-fee
https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160202/bushwick/5-ways-affordable-housing-will-get-better-retail-space/

Green Pedestrian Streets

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/may/17/superblocks-rescue-barcelona-spain-plan-give-streets-back-residents
https://www.vox.com/2016/8/4/12342806/barcelona-superblocks
https://urbanland.uli.org/planning-design/barcelonas-experiment-superblocks/
http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/planning/download/pdf/plans-studies/active-design-sidewalk/active_design.pdf