Professor Advocates for City Sidewalk Departments

Michael C. Pollack argues that centralized management could improve the condition and oversight of urban pedestrian pathways.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Civic Engagement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a concrete sidewalk curb and storm drain, symbolizing municipal infrastructure management. — Professor Michael C. Pollack proposed that cities establish dedicated municipal departments to manage sidewalk maintenance and regulatory oversight in Cambridge. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your local government take full responsibility for maintaining all public sidewalks in your area?

Professor Michael C. Pollack spoke at a Harvard event regarding the vital role sidewalks play in democracy. He proposed the establishment of municipal departments of sidewalks to centralize the maintenance and regulation of these public spaces.

Why it matters

Current sidewalk regulation is often fragmented across multiple city agencies and relies on private owners for upkeep. This inconsistency creates uneven urban landscapes and leaves maintenance dependent on the resources or motivation of individual property owners.

Current policy in several states leaves sidewalk maintenance to private property owners, creating a fragmented regulatory environment. A 360-degree approach to management is required to address these systemic maintenance gaps.

The players

Michael C. Pollack

He is a professor at the Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University and the author of the book Sidewalk Nation.

Harvard Graduate School of Design

This institution served as a co-host for the event discussing urban infrastructure and democracy.

Bloomberg Center for Cities

This center at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government co-hosted the discussion regarding sidewalk management.

The details

At an event co-hosted by the Harvard Graduate School of Design and the Bloomberg Center for Cities, Pollack highlighted the challenges of the status quo where maintenance tasks like snow removal often fall on private citizens. He suggests that formalizing oversight could solve the issues caused by having maintenance authority split between various city departments.

June 2026: The book Sidewalk Nation was published.
October 16, 2026: The lecture event was held at Harvard.

Political Context

Opponents of creating municipal departments of sidewalks often point to the potential for increased tax burdens and the administrative costs of adding new government agencies. Critics argue that existing fragmented systems allow for localized accountability that a centralized department might struggle to maintain.

Residents in cities currently relying on private maintenance may face new local regulations if sidewalk management is centralized. Property owners could see a shift in responsibility for repairs or snow removal as municipalities adjust their infrastructure oversight.

The takeaway

Pollack emphasizes that sidewalks are an overlooked public resource that acts as a foundation for democratic movement. Residents are encouraged to monitor their city's specific maintenance bylaws to understand who is currently responsible for the infrastructure outside their homes.