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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline OCTOBER 30, 2026 | The Indian Eye 28

Mamdani Administration Announces 1,200

Sidewalk Sheds Taken Down, Unveils New

Designs to Brighten City Streets

Sidewalk sheds across the five boroughs have declined by roughly 15% since start of Mamdani administration

OUR BUREAU PAU. This marks the first time either
design has been installed on a New
NEW YORK, NY
York City sidewalk.
ayor Zohran Kwame Mam- • Baseline Shed: Available in
dani, Deputy Mayor Leila heavy-duty and light-duty versions,
MBozorg and Department the design features transparent
of Buildings (DOB) Commissioner polycarbonate decking and an in-
Ahmed Tigani announced New York novative angled roof that lets in
City has reduced the number of side- natural light, improves sightlines
walk sheds by approximately 1,200 to ground-floor businesses and cre-
since January, a decrease of more ates a more open sidewalk.
than 15% in 10 months. • Speed Shed: Designed for light-
The administration is also ad- er-duty use, this shed features an
vancing new rules to bring better-de- angled roof made with rockfall net-
signed sidewalk sheds to streets ting roof to catch debris while al-
across the five boroughs. The new lowing light to reach the sidewalk.
designs will let more light reach side- Detachable wheels allow the struc-
walks and storefronts, improve vis- ture to be moved quickly between
ibility and create a more welcoming locations as needed.
pedestrian experience while main- Stronger oversight and enforcement
taining essential safety protections.
Two new designs by the architec- Following the passage of Local
ture firm Practice for Architecture Laws 48 and 51 of 2025, DOB has
and Urbanism (PAU) are now on strengthened oversight and enforce-
display outside DOB headquarters ment requirements for sidewalk
in Lower Manhattan. Earlier this sheds, including more frequent per-
summer, DOB showcased two ad- mit renewals and stronger penalties
ditional designs by architecture firm for sheds left in place when no active
Arup. On Thursday, TIME magazine work is taking place.
named Arup’s design one of its Best DOB has also established new
Inventions of 2026. regulations to reduce the footprint of
“In the greatest city in the world, sheds on large “campuses,” including
New Yorkers shouldn’t have to ac- “Thanks to the leadership of the pared to the old pipe-and-plywood NYCHA properties and university
cept dark, obstructed sidewalks as a Mamdani Administration, signifi- sheds currently seen throughout the campuses, limiting unnecessary cov-
fact of life. We’re taking down sheds cant progress is being made to return city.” erage of open space far from build-
that don’t need to be there and build- valuable sidewalk space back to New The PAU and Arup designs are ings.
ing a better alternative for the ones Yorkers,” said Buildings Commis- the result of a multiyear effort to “PAU was founded on the be-
that do. That means brighter side- sioner Ahmed Tigani. “Enhanced rethink sidewalk sheds, improve the lief that design can elevate civic life.
walks, clearer storefronts and better oversight by DOB is helping to com- look and feel of city streets and pri- Reimagining Gotham’s sidewalks,
public spaces that work for the peo- pel owners to start long-delayed oritize pedestrians without compro- which frame our shared urbanity,
ple who use them every day,” said building repairs, leading to the safe mising public safety. The designs are gives all New Yorkers the opportu-
Mayor Mamdani. removal of hundreds of long-stand- owned by the City of New York and nity for a safer, luminous and more
“With fewer sheds on our streets ing sidewalk sheds in neighborhoods may be freely copied to encourage inviting public realm,” said Vishaan
and new, more attractive sheds go- across the five boroughs. At the same adoption across the five boroughs. Chakrabarti, founder of PAU.
ing up soon, we’re making significant time, the city’s six new improved shed DOB expects to finalize agency rules “New Yorkers got a first glimpse
progress toward safer and more wel- prototypes, created by our partners at making the new designs available for into how a new class of sidewalk sheds
coming sidewalks and open spaces. PAU and Arup, are being recognized citywide use before the end of the can create brighter, more open feel-
The teams at DOB, Arup, PAU and as a significant step forward in pe- year. ing sidewalks with the installation of
public servants across the city are destrian-focused design. I encourage New sidewalk shed designs by PAU Arup’s designs earlier this year. Now,
dedicated to creating more vibrant everyone to take a trip to our head- our Flex and Rigid designs have been
streetscapes, and New Yorkers are quarters building in Lower Manhat- The two sheds now installed in named one of TIME’s Best Inven-
already seeing results,” said Leila tan over the next several weeks to get Lower Manhattan are the “Baseline tions of 2026. It’s encouraging to see
Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing a better understanding of how much Shed” and the “Speed Shed,” both the momentum continue,” said Seth
and Planning. better these new designs are com- developed by a design team led by Wolfe, Principal at Arup.

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