Brooklyn Nonprofit Recognized For Its Public Realm Action Plan

BROOKLYN, NY — The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP) has received the Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence from the International Downtown Association (IDA) for its approach to transforming Downtown Brooklyn’s public spaces.

The award recognizes DBP’s Downtown Brooklyn Public Realm Action Plan, which was selected by a jury of peer urban place-management professionals as part of the 2026 Downtown Achievement Awards.

The plan was entered in IDA’s Planning, Design and Infrastructure category, which honors innovative approaches to downtown planning, streetscape improvements, sustainable infrastructure, and wayfinding.

Launched in 2019 in partnership with WXY architecture + urban design and BIG, the plan responded to Downtown Brooklyn’s rapid transformation into a dense, mixed-use neighborhood. The area had added roughly 60,000 residents in the preceding five years, while its streets remained characterized by limited green space, fragmented pedestrian networks, narrow sidewalks, and conflicts among pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.

Drawing on input from businesses, residents, institutions, and community partners, the plan established a framework focused on pedestrian safety, sustainability, accessibility, and quality of life.

Its recommendations have since moved from planning to implementation, including the creation of New York City’s largest shared-street network, the revitalization of Fulton Mall, the development of Abolitionist Place, and new street designs that expand pedestrian space, plantings, and seating.

Key outcomes of the Public Realm Action Plan include:

• Full block design pilot in partnership with Tishman Speyer for the 11 Hoyt development (Hoyt, Livingston, + Elm). Similar adoption of streetscape designs at The Alloy Block (State Street and Flatbush Avenue), and The Brook (Flatbush Ave and Fulton Street).
• Fulton Mall Revitalization Project. An $8M project in partnership with NYC Department of Parks to rebuild sidewalks with permeable pavers, add curvilinear benches and new planting areas to create a more welcoming streetscape at Brooklyn’s busiest shopping district.
• Abolitionist Place: the popular new 1.3 acre park in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn that provides recreation and gathering space for residents, workers, and school children.
• Expanding shared streets network: in partnership with NYC DOT, DBP has adopted a key recommendation of the Public Realm Action Plan to implement the Shared Street model to Downtown Brooklyn’s core streets.
• New green infrastructure, including plantings and porous surfaces, has improved stormwater management and helped mitigate urban heat.

“Downtown Brooklyn Partnership has demonstrated skillful application of urban place management principles with their project, Downtown Brooklyn Public Realm Action Plan,” David Downey, IDA President and CEO, said. “The Downtown Brooklyn Public Realm Action Plan should serve as a framework to all member communities within IDA.”