Livable Neighborhoods Program

Helping New Yorkers become stronger advocates for their neighborhoods

Founded on the principle that community involvement is essential to successful city planning, the Livable Neighborhoods Program (LNP) helps local leaders in under-resourced communities develop the knowledge and tools that they need to participate effectively in public land use review processes and engage in creative, community-based design and planning.

Through community visioning and educational workshops, participants become better prepared to work with developers, elected and appointed officials, and New York City agencies to advocate for the types of land use regulations and community benefits that they want and need.

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. 

Previous LNP partners have said:

“The structure allowed us to recruit and build more diverse (culturally, socio-economically and geographically) audiences for our workshops. The speakers were well prepared and provided useful and factual information that was accessible to the attendees. In addition, the holistic aka Feminist structure of the workshops (providing childcare and a meal) allowed some people to participate who stated clearly they would not have been able to come otherwise.”

“Thank you for the hard work and diligence of your staff. You work hard and long hours and we appreciate what you bring to our community. Plus, by offering funds for child care you really allowed working parents to participate so thank you!”

“The Livable Neighborhoods Program helps participants to confront the daunting challenges of our communities by giving the participants the tools to recognize those challenges and how to develop a successful strategy to go forward.”

“It was a great team building exercise. It was a great way to show how a community can and should be well rounded and balanced. The program gave great ideas. It was a great way for everyone to discuss and express their concerns.”

“The program exceeded our expectations as it shared what other communities are doing in other states and in this city. It left us with a working product.”

“I enjoyed working with MAS, and the organizational perspective they brought to the table. I recommend the Livable Neighborhoods Program to any and all community-based partners.”