DCP and NYPL Launch “ABCs of City Planning” Story Time at Washington Heights Library — Free Kids’ Copies Distributed

At a story-time event on August 6, 2026, the New York City Department of City Planning and the New York Public Library launched the new ABCs of City Planning at the Washington Heights Library, reading illustrated entries on density, floor-area ratio, sustainability, zoning and “you,” and distributing free copies to attendees. Source: https://youtu.be/FWC0ZI-l-YY&t=6

# What’s happening
– The Department of City Planning and New York Public Library launched the ABCs of City Planning.
– Edith, a city planner, read the book and handed out copies to attendees.
– Event held August 6, 2026, at the Washington Heights Library.
Source: https://youtu.be/FWC0ZI-l-YY&t=6

# Why it matters
– Local children and families received free copies and a hands-on introduction to city planning.
– The program teaches planning concepts that affect neighborhood design and development.
Source: https://youtu.be/FWC0ZI-l-YY&t=6

# Key details
– Location: Washington Heights Library.
– Partners: New York Public Library (NYPL) and New York City Department of City Planning (DCP).
– Program: ABCs of City Planning book distributed to attendees.
– Intended audience stated in reading: “ages 0 to 120.”
– Topics read aloud: density; floor-area ratio (FAR); sustainability; zoning; “you.”
– Historical note in the book: original ABCs issued in 1937 by Mayor LaGuardia.
Source: https://youtu.be/FWC0ZI-l-YY&t=6

The Department of City Planning and the New York Public Library co-hosted a story-time launch of the ABCs of City Planning at the Washington Heights Library on August 6, 2026. Source: https://youtu.be/FWC0ZI-l-YY&t=6

**Department of City Planning**
– City planning agency (presented at the event)
– Co-hosted and presented the ABCs of City Planning story time
– Event date: August 6, 2026
Source: https://youtu.be/FWC0ZI-l-YY&t=6

**New York Public Library (NYPL)**
– Public library system (presented at the event)
– Hosted the story time at the Washington Heights Library and partnered on distribution
– Venue: Washington Heights Library, August 6, 2026
Source: https://youtu.be/FWC0ZI-l-YY&t=6

**ABCs of City Planning (book)**
– Children’s primer on planning concepts used at the event
– Read aloud and distributed to attendees; content includes density, FAR, sustainability, zoning, and “you”
– Notes original 1937 edition by Mayor LaGuardia in the book’s introduction
Source: https://youtu.be/FWC0ZI-l-YY&t=6

A city planner named Edith led the reading and invited children to participate, saying the book is “for kids ages 0 to 120.” Source: https://youtu.be/FWC0ZI-l-YY&t=6

The reading included simple definitions and examples: D for density, F for floor-area ratio (FAR), S for sustainability (pollution and waste), Z for zoning (how land is used), and Y for “you,” encouraging youth participation in planning. Source: https://youtu.be/FWC0ZI-l-YY&t=6

The event recording does not state an explicit reason why the Department of City Planning selected Washington Heights for this launch. The video documents the location and the activities but does not give a stated selection rationale. Source: https://youtu.be/FWC0ZI-l-YY&t=6

Based on the event program, the Department of City Planning’s outreach goals in Washington Heights were to introduce children to planning concepts, make technical terms accessible, and distribute the ABCs of City Planning to local attendees. The presenter framed the activity as teaching children “what it means to be a city planner” and urged youth to help “make New York City the best that you can.” Source: https://youtu.be/FWC0ZI-l-YY&t=6