About ↓

Join Urban Design Forum and the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development for an interactive conversation exploring ideas to advance equitable public spaces. 

We believe all New York City neighborhoods should have the power and resources to shape their futures. Last year, the Local Center equipped eight local leaders with technical assistance, funding, and connections to reclaim public spaces in their communities. In order to realize this vision for every neighborhood, however, we believe something bigger needs to change. 

Building on our proposal for a Fund for the Public Realm, we will discuss our forthcoming platform of ideas for how city government, funders, community-based organizations, and the design community can support more community-driven public spaces across the city. 

How can designers and community leaders foster more civic design practice, support community visions for public space, and advocate for deeper investment and policy change? 

Guest & Accessibility Policies

This event is open to Urban Design Forum Fellows, ANHD members and their invited guests.

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully.

• This event will have microphones and speakers.
• 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 the Local Center

Urban Design Forum and the Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development (ANHD) are partnering on the Local Center, a community design initiative to equip local leaders with the technical assistance, funding, and connections to re-envision and activate public spaces in their neighborhood. 

We believe every neighborhood should have the power and resources to shape their own public spaces. 

Support

Our cultural projects are made possible with lead support from the Mellon Foundation and with additional major support from the Charles H. Revson Foundation, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, New York City Green Relief & Recovery Fund and the Lily Auchincloss Foundation. Our commercial projects are made possible with support from National Grid’s Project C, NYC Department of Small Business Services, Charles H. Revson Foundation, Deutsche Bank, NYC Green Fund, administered by City Parks Foundation, and Lily Auchincloss Foundation. The Local Center is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. 

Urban Design Forum 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 the Local Center, please contact Katherine Sacco, katherine@urbandesignforum.org and Lauren Nye, lauren.n@anhd.org.