Urban Policy Series Presents Practical Approaches to Fixing Cities’ Public Spaces

Experts address issues of public parks, crime, and homelessness.

NEW YORK, NY — High-quality, accessible public spaces are key to urban quality of life, but many cities today struggle to maintain their parks and streets, leading to increased crime and community disengagement. Three new papers in the Manhattan Institute’s Urban Policy Series aim to address this problem with innovative approaches to public parks, crime, and homelessness.

“How Private Dollars Can Manage Public Parks,” by City Journal assistant editor Charles F. McElwee, draws on interviews with Daniel A. Biederman, whose work turned New York’s Bryant Park into the world-class public space it is today. McElwee explains the various models of park management and how Bryant Park shows that public dollars are not always needed for vibrant public spaces. For cities contemplating privatization, he lays out several key principles and considerations, including revenue options, programming, and the complexity of park operations.

“Cleaning Up Vacant Lots Can Curb Urban Crime,” by John M. MacDonald (University of Pennsylvania) and Charles Branas (Columbia University), explores how environmental design can deter crime. Using a place-centered approach, MacDonald and Branas argue that vacant and abandoned spaces invite crime because the visible signs of disorder signal that no one cares. Given that crime is often highly concentrated, strategic planning and investment in vacant-lot remediation can have large-scale benefits for an entire city.

“Responses to Homelessness: The Law-Enforcement Dimension,” by Manhattan Institute senior fellow Stephen Eide, explores common misconceptions about using law enforcement to address homelessness and lays out principles to guide such an approach. Eide argues that cities should work with law enforcement to regulate homelessness-related disorder, while keeping in mind the recognized ways to help the homeless, especially those suffering from behavioral health issues, including referral to shelters and outpatient treatment.

These papers are part of an annual series convened by the Manhattan Institute to bring together experts from around the country to shape the future of urban America. This year, the Institute hosted salon dinners in Milwaukee, St. Louis, and San Francisco, bringing together leading academics, practitioners, and journalists to discuss practical ideas for our cities.

Click here to learn more about the Urban Policy Series.