Public Works
Overview
Public Works is a new 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.
Vision for a Better City
A courageous platform for New York’s next mayor.
New York City’s future depends on leadership that is willing to think creatively, act boldly, and work collaboratively.
Vision for a Better City: 25 Ideas for a Healthy and Safe New York — informed by 1,100+ civic leaders and industry experts from every corner of New York — offers ambitious, actionable, and pragmatic recommendations to improve quality of life for all New Yorkers.
A better city is possible. It’s time to build it — together.
Read the Platform
Events
01.14.26
Join us for an update on the latest progress toward transforming New York Penn Station with Andy Byford.
12.10.25
Join us for a discussion on what a potential rent freeze may look like under the Mamdani administration.
11.20.25
Join us for a tour of Studio Museum in Harlem with Adjaye Associates and Corga.
11.18.25
Join us for a conversation with Fred Cerullo, Danny Fuchs, Andy Levin, Rob Schiffer and Madelyn Wils on how public spaces can drive economic growth and energize Midtown East.
10.20.25
Join us for a conversation on housing ballot proposals developed by the NYC Charter Revision Commission with Leila Bozorg.
09.30.25
Join Urban Design Forum and EmergingAging for a conversation with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Allison Nickerson, and Susan Wright on shaping age-friendly neighborhoods.
06.10.25
Join us for a tour of the South Battery Park City Resiliency Project.
06.02.25
Join us for a conversation with Dr. Zahirah McNatt on shaping healthier New York City neighborhoods.
04.30.25
Join us for a conversation with mayoral candidate Jessica Ramos.
05.07.25
Join us for a conversation with mayoral candidate Scott Stringer.
04.10.25
Join us for a conversation with mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.
04.03.25
Join us for a conversation with NYC 2025 mayoral candidate Zellnor Myrie.
02.28.25
Join us for a two-part op-ed workshop with Danny Pearlstein and John Surico.
05.13.25
Join us for a conversation with NYC 2025 mayoral candidate Brad Lander.
02.06.25
Join us for a breakfast roundtable on the vision for BQE North and South with Heidi Wolf and Gretha Suarez.
01.28.25
Join us for a tour of the L10 Arts and Cultural Center with Andrea Steele Architecture.
01.21.25
Join us as we shape Urban Design Forum’s climate action platform for the next administration.
01.16.25
Join us as we shape Urban Design Forum’s public health platform for the next administration.
01.14.25
Join us as we shape Urban Design Forum’s economic development platform for the next administration.
12.12.24
Join us as we shape Urban Design Forum’s housing platform for the next administration.
12.09.24
Join us as we shape Urban Design Forum’s mobility platform for the next administration.
12.05.24
Join us as we shape Urban Design Forum’s public space platform for the next administration.
12.11.24
Join us for a breakfast roundtable on the Brooklyn Marine Terminal with Cecilia Kushner.
11.20.24
Join us for a tour of the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project’s recent progress with the Department of Design and Construction.
10.29.24
Join us for a roundtable discussion on the need for public bathrooms in New York City with Sandy Nurse, Julie Chou and Kevin Gurley.
09.10.24
Join us for a tour of Google’s new campus at St. John’s Terminal with Rick Cook, Carlos M. Martinez Flórez and David Seiter.
05.13.24
Join us for a tour of Abolitionist Place with Mary Margaret Jones, Sheila Lin, and Regina Myer.
04.18.24
Join us for a tour of the newly transformed Domino Sugar Refinery with Ruchika Modi and Lisa Switkin.
04.02.24
Join us for a breakfast presentation on the development of Willets Point with Andrew Kimball.
02.29.24
Join us for a breakfast roundtable on the MTA’s 20-Year Needs Assessment with Jamie Torres-Springer.
12.08.23
Join us to discuss how the City is cutting red tape for office-to-housing conversions with Robert Holbrook and Doug Rose.
11.08.23
Join us for a breakfast conversation on the City’s proposed zoning text amendment with Dan Garodnick.
11.15.23
Join us for a breakfast conversation on the Public Housing Preservation Trust with Andrew Kaplan.
10.03.23
How can we provide waterfront access and park space to the public while protecting communities from future flooding?
07.24.23
Join us for a tour of the new Make the Road community center with Andrea Steele Architects and Silman.
07.19.23
How can mixed-use developments address climate change while supporting housing needs?
06.29.23
How can new waterfront access meet ecological needs and community priorities?
09.27.23
How can innovative coastline corridors address the need for public space and coastal resiliency?
09.14.23
Join us for a half-day forum to explore recent progress and lessons learned from the Gowanus rezoning.
05.25.23
How will implementation of the city’s strategic climate plan ensure equitable development over the next decade?
05.18.23
What role can play spaces have in both environmental education and building resiliency in the face of climate change?
05.04.23
How will deeper community partnerships and innovative design shape healthier, more connected neighborhoods around the BQE?
03.24.23
The Palace Theater, an interior landmark since 1987, is undergoing restoration to include new front-of-house space, accessible circulation, and expanded back-of-house space.
02.28.23
Join us on 2/28 for breakfast and conversation on Governor Hochul’s New York Housing Compact with Annemarie Gray, Barika Williams, and James Lloyd.
01.19.23
Join us on 1/19 for breakfast and conversation on the “New” New York Panel recommendations with Julie Stein.
01.23.23
On January 23 join us for a tour of the reimagined Rockefeller Center.
Call For Ideas
We want to hear from you.
We welcome your ideas for our upcoming programming. Our team is eager to take on critical issues around housing affordability, climate adaptation, conversions, and community and economic development.
Share Your IdeasSupport Our Work
Public Works is made possible through the support of our Board of Directors, Director’s Circle, Company Members, Global Circle, and our Campaign for Courageous Leadership, as well as from individual members through membership dues.
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 Public Works, please contact Miranda Bellizia, Director of Member Engagement, miranda@urbandesignforum.org.
Acknowledgements
A special thanks to the Public Works Program Committee for advising in the development of the series. The committee was chaired by Beatrice Sibblies, and included Margaret Newman, Timur Galen, Meredith Kane, Luke Martinek, Teresa Gonzalez, Gonzalo Cruz, Jack Robbins, AJ Pires, Annemarie Gray, May Yu, Caroline Harris and Jacqui Williams.