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10.29.24

The Need for Public Bathrooms

Event Public Works
October 29th, 2024
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Thornton Tomasetti
120 Broadway 15th floor, New York, NY, USA

Sandy Nurse represents the 37th Council District, which includes neighborhoods of Bushwick, Brownsville, Cypress Hills, Cityline and East New York. She currently serves as the Chair of the Committee on Criminal Justice. Sandy previously worked for the Department of Defense and the United Nations World Food Programme. She later founded BK ROT, an environmental justice youth jobs program, and co-founded Mayday Space, a grassroots organizing center in her district. Sandy is focused on housing for all, high quality public education, increasing public safety and fighting for a livable, sustainable and resilient New York City.

Julie Chou, AIA, is a founding partner at Purpose by Design Architects. Previously, Julie managed a variety of affordable and supportive housing projects at Magnusson Architecture & Planning. She is a member of Manhattan’s Community Board 5 and sits on the Land Use, Zoning and Housing committee and is the Vice Chair of the Budget, Education and City Services committee. Julie has become a leader in the movement for more accessible public bathrooms in New York City and leads a public bathroom working group with several community boards across the city.

Kevin Gurley, AICP, is an urban planner at Amtrak, working on expanding Amtrak service in cities across the United States. Previously, he was Manager of Planning at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in NYC, managing a portfolio of rail system expansion and enhancement planning projects, including building new subway lines and stations in New York City. He has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, working on projects in cities in the US, Mexico, and China. Kevin holds a Master in Urban Planning from Harvard University and a Master of Architecture from Florida International University in Miami.

Join us for a roundtable discussion on the need for public bathrooms in New York City with Sandy Nurse, Julie Chou and Kevin Gurley.

Public bathrooms remain one of the most important public space needs in New York City. These pieces of critical urban infrastructure provide a universal public health benefit that many consider to be a basic human right. Over the past year, numerous bills have been introduced into the New York City Council that aim to promote the proliferation and maintenance of public bathrooms.

Forefront Residency Fellows Julie Chou and Kevin Gurley will present their recently published booklet, Citywide Bathroom Strategy, followed by a discussion with Council Member Sandy Nurse on her most recent bill to create a long-term strategic planning process for the creation and maintenance of public bathrooms.

How can we ensure the creation of public bathrooms in the long-term planning of New York City neighborhoods?

RSVP
Guest & Accessibility Policies

Urban Design Forum promotes conversations between invited civic leaders, designers, developers, and advocates. This event is open to Forum Fellows and their guests.

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

  • The venue will have an entrance and elevators that are ADA-accessible.
  • 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 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.

Photo Credit: Rhododendrites 

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