Programs

Our programs bring New Yorkers together to learn, debate, and design a vibrant city for all. 

Current Initiatives

Next New York

Rewire
New York City must reshape its buildings and public spaces as engines for a climate positive city.
Global Exchange

Big Swings
What can New York learn from cities taking “big swings” to confront their housing crises? 
Community Design

The Local Center
A new community design network in partnership with the Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development
Forefront

Lifelong
Our ninth Forefront Fellowship imagines a New York City where older adults can thrive with support and dignity.
Special Projects

Public Works
Public Works sparks conversations with civic leaders on built environment initiatives shaping the public good.
Special Projects

New City Critics
In our writers fellowship with The Architectural League, we seek to empower a new generation of urban critics.

Past Initiatives

Forefront

Free to Grow
Our eighth Forefront Fellowship inspires adults to center young people in the built environment.
Next New York

Good Form
Our Good Form series convened design and public health professionals to discuss shaping a healthier city.
Forefront

New Loops
Our seventh Forefront Fellowship re-envisions how we keep our city clean.
Next New York

Streets Ahead
We envision a more vibrant, equitable streetscape for New York City.
Forefront

Neighborhood Fare
Our sixth Forefront Fellowship explores how to foster food equity in every New York City neighborhood through the built environment.
Community Design

Neighborhoods Now
In collaboration with Van Alen Institute, we supported local organizations to lead pandemic recovery in their neighborhoods.
Next New York

Shape Shift
New York City can transform its approach to urban design to achieve housing equity, economic justice, and environmental health.
Forefront

Turning the Heat
Our fourth Forefront Fellowship explores how urban practitioners can advance climate justice principles across New York City.
Forefront

Cooperative Works
Our fifth Forefront Fellowship explores how to support MWBEs and workers of color, expand worker cooperatives, and democratize economic resources to build a more inclusive economy.
Special Projects

Power After the Pandemic
We joined forces with Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development (ANHD) to discuss a just city recovery from COVID-19.
Global Exchange

City Life After Coronavirus
What does the pandemic reveal about urban design, infrastructure, and governance? And how can we build a more just city for New Yorkers hardest hit by the public health and economic crisis?
Forefront

Shelter for All
Our third Forefront Fellowship explores how we can design shelters, intake centers and supportive housing to turn the tide on homelessness in New York City.