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The community and visitors quickly embraced the changes. The Nov 2001 experiment proved that people preferred a space where they could walk, sit, and enjoy the environment with fewer cars. The success of these temporary interventions demonstrated broad public support for more permanent, human-centered urban redesigns.
From Temporary to Permanent
Given the positive response, the NYC Department of Transportation and urban designers found it much easier to advocate for permanent modifications. The initial experiments served as proof of concept, helping stakeholders visualize the benefits of a more human-centric space.