
Mayor Bill de Blasio. Image credit: CityLand
Geothermal heating and cooling are a very efficient and environmentally clean technology and energy that has been in use for decades but has gone underutilized by New York City. On April 21, 2021, Mayor de Blasio announced the first steps that will be taken to advance New York City’s transition to district geothermal systems. These geothermal systems will help replace fuel oil and natural gas, fundamentally changing how New York City heats and cools its buildings. (more…)

Mayor Bill de Blasio. Image credit: CityLand
The process will be a comprehensive study of environmental justice issues with the goal of developing a citywide Environmental Justice Plan to combat the issues. On February 9, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the launch of the Environmental Justice for All Report, a comprehensive study of environmental justice issues. The report will study and collect information from various communities on environmental justice issues and work to formulate a plan to end the burden of pollution, the age of fossil fuels, and climate change. (more…)

Mayor Bill de Blasio. Image credit: CityLand
The newly announced program and its guidelines will allow artists and performers of all kinds to return to work safely. On February 8, 2021, Mayor de Blasio released guidelines for the upcoming Open Culture Program. The program will open up city streets for outdoor cultural performances and events throughout the five boroughs. The new program is modeled after a prior successful initiative lead by the city, the Open Streets Program. For CityLand’s prior coverage about the Open Culture Program, click here. (more…)

Mayor Bill de Blasio. Image credit: CityLand
The delay comes less than a week before all students were scheduled to return to in-person instruction. On September 17, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio, DOE Chancellor Richard Carranza, United Federation of Teachers (UFT) President Michael Mulgrew and Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA) President Mark Cannizzaro announced a delay in the return to in-person instruction at NYC public schools. This is the second delay in the return to in-person instruction. Schools will physically reopen for students in a phased plan over a couple of weeks. (more…)

Mayor Bill de Blasio. Image credit: CityLand
Events will not be permitted to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. On July 9, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that all large events that require a permit will be canceled through September 30th. The City will instead prioritize social distancing and dedicating open spaces to public use. (more…)