June 2nd, 2025
5:30pm - 7:30pm
COOKFOX
250 W 57th St, New York, NY 10107, USA
Dr. Zahirah McNatt is the chief equity officer and deputy commissioner for the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness (CHECW) at the New York City Health Department. In this role, she oversees the agency’s equity portfolio and provides direct oversight and management of programs and initiatives that work to increase visibility of the harm perpetuated by centuries of racist, socially unjust policy while pushing towards redress for the most impacted NYC communities.
Earle Chambers, Ph.D., M.P.H. currently serves as the Director of the Division of Research and Professor of Family and Social Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Health System. Driven by a commitment to social justice, Dr. Chambers researches the factors related to your environment—from the infrastructure in your zip code to how your apartment is laid out—that impact health and wellbeing. His research seeks to inform health scientists and urban practitioners on what those factors are, and how we might change them for the better. Dr. Chambers completed his B.S. in Biology at Duke University, his MPH at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and his doctoral degree at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, receiving his Ph.D. in epidemiology in 2003. Dr. Chambers completed his post-doctoral training at the New York Obesity and Nutrition Research Center at Columbia University. He currently holds leadership positions at the Einstein-Montefiore Institute for Clinical and Translational Research and the New York Regional Center for Diabetes Translation Research. Above all, he is a devoted partner and the father of two teenage boys.
Katy Clark joined the Kornfeld Foundation as Executive Director in early 2021. Prior to this role, she was the President of the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City where she had responsibility for the overall management, programming, and development of the 160-year-old arts center.
Jared Gilbert is Associate Partner and Director of Communications and manages the studio’s strategic communications and business development activities. With an architecture degree from Ball State University and a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, his research, writing and speaking interests are at the intersections of sustainability, architecture and urbanism, and spirituality and social justice.
Join us for a conversation with Dr. Zahirah McNatt on shaping healthier New York City neighborhoods.
While the built environment has historically contributed to harm in many communities, it also holds the potential to promote better health outcomes. In 2010, New York City released the first Active Design Guidelines, offering architects and urban designers a toolkit for creating healthier buildings, streets, and public spaces. This summer, the City will release an updated edition, providing a renewed roadmap for shaping healthier neighborhoods across New York City.
Dr. Zahirah McNatt, chief equity officer and deputy commissioner for the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness (CHECW), will present the City’s efforts to advance equity and environmental health across every corner of the city, and will be joined in conversation by respondents Dr. Earle Chambers, Katy Clark, and Jared Gilbert.
What will it take to ensure that every neighborhood in New York City benefits from healthier, more equitable design?
Guest & Accessibility Policies
Urban Design Forum promotes conversations between invited civic leaders, designers, developers, and advocates. These events are open to Forum Fellows and their guests.
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully.
- The venue’s entrance, lobby, elevators, office and restroom facilities are ADA-accessible.
- This event will have microphones and a speaker.
- If you’re not feeling well, please stay home. Face masks are encouraged, particularly if you have been recently exposed to colds, flus, or other illness. If you have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days, a high-quality, well-fitting face covering is required at all times.
- Please refrain from wearing strong fragrances to accommodate guests with allergies or environmental sensitivities.
- If you have additional needs, we will do our best to accommodate. Please contact rsvp@urbandesignforum.org.
About Public Works
Public Works is a discussion series to drive civic dialogue around new and forthcoming built environment projects in New York City. Throughout the year, we invite government officials and private sector leaders to present design and development initiatives that shape the public good. Our goal is to create an open and collegial venue for deeper conversation between the public sector and our network of civic leaders building, caring for, and maintaining our city.
Support Our Work
Public Works is made possible through the support of our Board of Directors, Director’s Circle, Company Members, and our Campaign for Courageous Leadership, and company and individual members. Our programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
To learn more about supporting Public Works, please contact Miranda Bellizia, miranda@urbandesignforum.org.
Image Credits:
1. NYC DOT
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