The Indian Panorama

Tag: DCP

  • City Planning Congratulates this Year’s Class of Youth Engagement Curriculum Graduates

    City Planning Congratulates this Year’s Class of Youth Engagement Curriculum Graduates

    Taking place at The Laboratory School of Finance and Technology, the curriculum helps give seniors the planning tools to advocate for their communities.

    NEW YORK (TIP): Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick, on April 4, announced that 45 high school seniors from The Laboratory School of Finance and Technology (MSHS223) in Mott Haven, the Bronx graduated from DCP’s youth engagement curriculum course, which teaches young people about planning concepts to help them become civic leaders and advocates in their communities. Click here for a gallery of photos from today’s ceremony.

    “The great work that these students have produced through this course demonstrates that the next generation of planners is ready to craft a better future for New York City. Congratulations to them, the teachers, City Planning staff, and everyone who helped make this important curriculum possible,” said Dan Garodnick, Director of the Department of City Planning.

    “Our students know their neighborhoods better than anyone, and I commend all the young people honored today for not only showing promise as future leaders of our city, but demonstrating their capacity as current leaders in their communities,” said New York City Schools (DOE) Chancellor David C. Banks. “I urge my fellow city leaders to really listen to what our students have to say and celebrate their voice.”

    “By providing students with an opportunity to engage with city agencies and visit sites located within their communities, the Department of City Planning is providing the next generation of urban planners and advocates a ‘hands-on’ experience that will better equip them to make an impact on the future of their neighborhoods,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “NYCEDC was thrilled to host this year’s students at the historic Kingsbridge Armory, where we had the opportunity to discuss what a redeveloped armory would mean for the community, and we look forward to hosting next year’s students.”

    “Congratulations to the graduates of DCP’s youth engagement curriculum! This program equips our youth with leadership and city planning skills, and a deeper understanding of community engagement. By evaluating street improvement projects near their school, the students learned firsthand how to enhance their neighborhood’s livability and design safer streets. As future leaders, we are preparing them to address the challenges facing our city, how to become effective advocates, and how to actively contribute to our city’s improvement,” said New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez.

    “I am proud of the work of each of the high school seniors of The Laboratory School of Finance and Technology MSHS 223 who successfully completed the Department of City Planning’s youth engagement curriculum course,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “When you involve our youth at an early age in real-world projects and developments that address sustainability, transportation, and affordable housing, they are not only becoming informed citizens but are also more equipped to support their communities. I want to thank Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick and his team of planners, human resource experts, and urban designers along with staff from The Laboratory School for their collective work in creating this amazing opportunity for our teens.”

    At today’s student fair, seniors presented their final projects to City government leaders, including representatives from DCP, DOE, DOT, EDC, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and the Department of Small Business Services, as well as community groups such as the Architectural League, Living City Project, and South Bronx Unite. The 45 seniors who participated in the youth engagement curriculum were divided into three classes, each of whom did a mock neighborhood study of Bronx Community District 1. Each study was exhibited through five displays – one that showed a plan overview and four that covered key topics studied during their course: housing, economic development, sustainability/resiliency, and transportation.

    The curriculum was crafted by DCP’s Community Planning and Engagement division and Civic Engagement Studio, and included lessons on urban planning concepts, planning history, urban design, and advocacy and decision-making, including how the public review process works. DCP is dedicated to putting communities at the forefront of planning conversations about the future of their neighborhoods.

    “Over the past eight weeks, DCP’s Community Planning and Engagement division has empowered F&T seniors to articulate and advocate for their visions of a more equitable and sustainable city. Students transitioned from observers to active participants in the city planning process, proposing insightful plans based on their lived experiences and aspirations for the South Bronx. I would like to thank DCP for equipping students with both the platform and audience to shape the future of economic development, housing, sustainability, and transportation in our city,” said Hope Grossman Devore, government teacher at The Laboratory School of Finance and Technology.

    “Developing a project about affordable housing was a really enjoyable experience. It allowed me and others to contribute to the future and help our community. I learned about the importance of communication during this unit because that way we can create a strong relationship between people, leaders, and communities when it comes to city planning,” said Edwin Lucas, senior at The Laboratory School of Finance and Technology.

    “I really enjoyed brainstorming ideas and finding solutions for creating better living spaces in the city planning project. I learned about economic development and discovered how vital it is to invest in young people through proper training and support because we are the future generation. It’s exciting to think about how empowering young people in the workforce can lead to a stronger economy and brighter future for all of us,” said Gideon Owusu, senior at The Laboratory School of Finance and Technology.

    Now in its third year, the eight-week curriculum began on February 5, 2024, and was structured to build students’ advocacy skills and elevate their voices and ideas on neighborhood needs. The course featured planners and urban designers as well as teachers from The Laboratory School; and included input from City agencies with deep expertise in housing, economic development, planning, and much more.

    All three classes went on site visits that covered the four main planning topics. For housing and sustainability, the students visited Via Verde, an income-restricted, energy-efficient building in the South Bronx. To learn more about economic development, the students went on a guided tour of the Kingsbridge Armory with the New York City Economic Development Corporation. For transportation, they joined the New York City Department of Transportation at street improvement projects near their school, measuring street widths and analyzing vehicle speeds.

    DCP’s Community Planning and Engagement division continues to explore opportunities to expand the program to other schools and get more students involved in planning and civic advocacy.

    Department of City Planning
    The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the strategic growth and development of the City through ground-up planning with communities, the development of land use policies and zoning regulations applicable citywide, and its contribution to the preparation of the City’s 10-year Capital Strategy. DCP promotes housing production and affordability, fosters economic development and coordinated investments in infrastructure and services, and supports resilient, sustainable communities across the five boroughs for a more equitable New York City.

    In addition, DCP supports the City Planning Commission in its annual review of approximately 450 land use applications for a variety of discretionary approvals. The Department also assists both government agencies and the public by advising on strategic and capital planning and providing policy analysis, technical assistance and data relating to housing, transportation, community facilities, demography, zoning, urban design, waterfront areas and public open space.

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  • Governor Hochul announces new law to clarify disclosure of credit card surcharges goes into effect Sunday, February 11

    Governor Hochul announces new law to clarify disclosure of credit card surcharges goes into effect Sunday, February 11

     

    ALBANY, NY (TIP): Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a new consumer protection law that will go into effect on February 11, 2024. This new law will amend and clarify New York’s existing credit card surcharge law. The NYS Division of Consumer Protection assists aggrieved consumers in the marketplace and the New York State Attorney General and local governments have the authority to enforce the credit card surcharge law. The New York State Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection recommends that interested localities review DCP’s Credit Card Surcharge Legal Update Letter for more information.

    “New Yorkers should never have to deal with hidden credit card costs, and this law will ensure individuals can trust that their purchases will not result in surprise surcharges,” Governor Hochul said. “Transparency is crucial in building trust between businesses and communities and now patrons will be empowered to budget accordingly.”

    The law, signed by Governor Hochul on December 13, 2023, provides greater transparency and protections for consumers by:

    Limiting credit card surcharges to the amount charged to the business by the credit card company; and

    Requiring businesses to post before checkout:

    the total price of an item or service inclusive of the credit card surcharge; or

    a two-tiered pricing option, which requires the credit card price to be posted alongside the cash price.

    New York Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, “New Yorkers using credit cards have a right to know the total cost of the purchase, inclusive of any surcharge, before they reach the register. This new law signed by Governor Hochul will offer clarity and provide transparency to both the consumer and business owners about the surcharges when using a credit card.”

    State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “Transparency in pricing is critical so people can make informed decisions when spending their hard-earned money. Requiring businesses to disclose credit card surcharges helps consumers better understand the total cost. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for signing this bill into law to protect consumers.”

    Assemblymember Amy Paulin said, “This new law protects New Yorkers from hidden surcharges by requiring sellers to clearly post the price of a credit card surcharge. Credit card surcharges now have to be disclosed clearly so that customers are fully aware of them upfront and not just when they go to pay. This is about transparency, fairness and preventing consumers from being misled when making purchases using credits cards. I thank Governor Hochul for helping protect New Yorkers.”

    The following practices and examples comply with the law’s credit card surcharge notice requirements. See the Department’s Credit Card Surcharge Guidance Document and educational video for additional examples:

    DO:

    The business lists the higher credit card price next to a lower cash price.

    The business lists the credit card price for items and services, then lets customers know they will receive a discount for using cash. The business changes all prices to the credit card price.

    DON’T:

    The business posts a sign on the door and at the register stating an additional 3.9 percent surcharge will apply for credit card purchases.

    “This business has a 4 percent cash discount incentive built into all pricing. Any purchases made with a credit or debit card will not receive the cash discount and an adjustment in cost will be displayed on your receipt.”

    A convenience fee, service fee, administration fee, non-cash adjustment, technology fee, processing fee, etc., is charged to credit card users and added as a separate line item on a customer receipt.

    The price tag of an item shows “$10.00, + 4 percent if paying with a credit card.”

    NOTE: This law does not apply to debit cards.

    The Division of Consumer Protection provides educational assistance to consumers in how to protect themselves from unfair practices while also offering resources to the business community to help them comply with the law and prevent fraudulent and deceptive practices. After February 11, 2024, the law will permit local governments to join in the enforcement of this law, providing consumers with additional resources for compliance and providing local governments with broader opportunities to promote consumer protections for their citizens. If there are any issues related to credit card pricing at the register, DCP encourages consumers to:

    File a complaint with DCP to receive a refund of any excess fees paid to a merchant in New York State, or

    File a complaint with the Attorney General or participating local governments for enforcement of a merchant you believe violated the law.

    About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

    The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education materials to consumers, as well as voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.

    For other consumer protection tips and consumer alerts, consumers can visit the DCP website or follow DCP on social media via Twitter at @NYSConsumer or Facebook at www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.

     

  • Delhi women’s panel chief Swati Maliwal ‘molested, dragged’ by ‘drunk car driver’ for 15 metres

    Delhi women’s panel chief Swati Maliwal ‘molested, dragged’ by ‘drunk car driver’ for 15 metres

    Delhi Police on Thursday, January 19, said they had arrested a man in connection with an incident in which Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal alleged that she was “molested” and “dragged by a car” for several metres opposite AIIMS in the national capital in the early hours of the day. Speaking to ANI, DCP South Chandan Chowdhary said that according to Maliwal, she was with her team outside the All India Institute of Medical Sciences here at around 2.45am when the arrested man, later identified as Harish Chandra, hailing from city’s Sangam Vihar and who appeared to be in an inebriated state approached her.

    The DCW chief in her complaint to the police alleged that the man who was driving a white-coloured car stopped his car near where she was standing and “made indecent gestures”. He then beckoned her to sit in his vehicle, claimed Maliwal. When the DCW chief reprimanded him, the man allegedly went away but returned a short while later and repeated his actions, the police said.

    “She was standing with her team at Gate 2 of AIIMS which falls under the Kotla police station area. According to her, when she was standing on the footpath, a white-coloured vehicle approached her whose driver offered her a lift and started insisting that she sit in the car. “When she refused and went near the driver’s window to reprimand him, the man rolled up the car’s glass window and her hand got stuck and she got dragged for about 10-15 metres,” DCP Chowdhary said.

    The police official said a PCR call was received at around 3.12am and a police team, including the ACP, Hauz Khas, reached the spot at around 3.20am and the accused was apprehended.

    “The police took a written complaint from Maliwal and sent her and the accused for medical examination,” the DCP added. A case was registered under Sections 323/341/509 of the IPC and 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Later, the section of molestation (354) was also included. Further investigation is under way. Source: ANI