As market forces change neighborhoods from manufacturing zones to lively 24/7 mixed-use destinations, the only available public space — the street and sidewalk — also requires transformation to meet the needs of its new users. SSE was retained by New York City Community District officials and community activists to study pedestrian needs and traffic patterns in Manhattan’s landmark Gansevoort Market neighborhood and recommend improvements to create safe, welcoming public spaces. With feedback from community stakeholders gathered via surveys and a design workshop, SSE applied urban design concepts from great plazas and shared streets around the world to prioritize the pedestrian experience in the neighborhood. The recommendations from the project were well-received by the New York City Department of Transportation and implemented by the City on Earth Day 2008.