Vision for a Better City
A new mayor means a new chapter for New York City — and a chance to build a fairer, healthier city for everyone who calls this place home.
Over the past year, our community of civic leaders came together to talk about what New Yorkers need most. We heard a clear message, outlined in our Vision for a Better City: people want safe streets and joyful public spaces, stable and affordable housing, and neighborhoods that support families and businesses to thrive. We shared these ideas with Mayor-elect Mamdani in April, giving members a chance to hear his clear vision for New York.
Urban Design Forum is ready to get to work. Our network brings together designers and builders, community and business leaders, public servants, organizers, and policy thinkers — combining citywide expertise and deep neighborhood experience to turn big ideas into real change.
The Mamdani administration has no time to waste. We call on our next mayor to take bold action on day one — and we stand ready to help deliver a city where every New Yorker can afford to live, feel safe, and thrive.
Here are three ways the new administration could get going:
Create a Fund for the Public Realm
A mayor’s real power is shaping the city’s quality of life — and there’s no better place to start than our streets, parks, and public spaces. Through our work with the Local Center, we have seen the powerful network of local stewards shaping our public spaces, despite the barriers many face from decades of disinvestment. The next administration can champion a dedicated fund that reinvests public, private, and philanthropic dollars into neighborhood projects, enabling every community to build safer and vibrant public spaces.
Launch a Citywide Bus Rapid Transit Network
Mayor-elect Mamdani campaigned on fast and free buses. While free service may require state funding, the city can act immediately to make buses faster by laying the groundwork for a citywide Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network. High-capacity BRT would connect major job centers — like hospitals and airports — to improve commutes for essential workers and all New Yorkers.
Remove Barriers to Staffing and Building Affordable Housing
This election made it clear: New Yorkers want more housing. Cities like Tokyo have shown how unlocking supply and partnering with the private sector can deliver it at scale, while protecting tenants and keeping housing affordable. The city must modernize civil service to fill high-priority HPD roles, upgrade technology and processes to speed approvals, and allow flexible, site-adaptive development — all to build the affordable housing our neighborhoods urgently need, faster, smarter, and in every corner of the city.
A courageous platform for New York’s next mayor.
In this moment of uncertainty, New York needs bold, visionary leadership to tackle our challenges and build a city that works for everyone.
Informed by over 1,100 civic leaders and industry experts from every corner of New York — Vision for a Better City offers ambitious, actionable, and pragmatic recommendations to improve quality of life for all New Yorkers.
The platform lays out a transformative policy agenda around six essential pillars that define thriving New York City neighborhoods: Housing, Public Space, Mobility, Economic Development, Public Health and Climate Action.
While these issue areas are distinct, they are deeply interconnected. Our city’s next leader must bring together experts with both local and technical knowledge in each of these areas to improve the lives of New Yorkers. Good housing shapes our health and ability to participate in an economy. Public spaces create community and help mitigate climate risks. Mobility connects New Yorkers to jobs, health services, and one another. A comprehensive approach to these issues will build a stronger New York and a more livable city.
New York City’s future depends on leadership that is willing to think creatively, act boldly, and work collaboratively. Here in New York, the mayor has the power and the tools to dramatically improve quality of life and affordability for all New Yorkers.
A better city is possible. It’s time to build it — together.
Shaped by Fellows
At the end of 2024, we asked Urban Design Forum Fellows to help us shape our platform for the next administration.
With the 2025 mayoral election approaching, Urban Design Forum crafted a forward-looking platform based on ideas from our publications over the last four years. We wanted our network’s help refining our recommendations and their input on what’s possible in this political moment.
We invited past cohorts, new fellows and friends to help define a bold vision across our six core issue areas: Climate Action, Public Health, Housing, Public Space, Mobility and Economic Development.
Learn MoreSpecial Thanks
Special thanks to Urban Design Forum members who contributed to our fellowships, workshops and surveys. These recommendations are grounded in our community’s knowledge and insights from over four years of fellow-led research and publications.
Support
Vision for a Better City 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 Urban Design Forum, please contact Miranda Bellizia, miranda@urbandesignforum.org.
Join our current partners as a company member. Learn more here.