Policy and Advocacy – Page 3 – News – What’s New at AIANY and the Center for Architecture.

Driverless Future Challenge

As widespread adoption of autonomous cars get closer to becoming a reality, so too does the prospect of major change to our build environment. Critical questions remain of how our streets, civic spaces, homes and neighborhoods will transform. For designers, this is a major opportunity to shape the future of the city.

In preparing for this tectonic shift, AIANY and Blank Space, the online architecture platform, are hosting the Driverless Future Challenge, a competition to shape the impact of autonomous transportation in NYC. The focus of the challenge is not on the cars themselves, but everything else: from parking solutions, to mass transit, accessibility, shipping, logistics, software, services, and new uses of roadways, intersections, and sidewalks. Continue reading “Driverless Future Challenge”

Housing Policy: A Closer Look

Earlier this month, AIANY released a series of position statements to create foundational tools to refer back to as critical issues arise at the federal level. In collaboration with AIANY’s Housing Committee, the statement on Housing discussed the role of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the nation’s public housing system, and the impacts of federal polcies on New York City. Building off that work, we’re taking a closer look at the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), one of the most important resources for creating affordable housing in the United States today. Continue reading “Housing Policy: A Closer Look”

Architects Advocate Open Letter to President Trump

Last month, the grassroots coalition Architects Advocate published an open letter to President Trump asking for his support of the design industry’s commitment to addressing climate change. The coalition is inviting firms across to the country to sign the letter and express their support to enact meaningful legislation to mitigate climate change. Continue reading “Architects Advocate Open Letter to President Trump”

Policy Pulse: Design As Protest in NYC

On 01.20.16, the AIANY Diversity and Inclusion Committee hosted the Design as Protest NYC Cypher at the Center for Architecture. As part of a nationwide action on Inauguration Day, the charrette-style event connected activists, community organizers, architects, planners, designers, and artists advocating for social justice in the built environment. Similar workshops were hosted in cities around the country, including Detroit, New Orleans, Chicago, Seattle, Kansas City, Cleveland, and Oakland. Continue reading “Policy Pulse: Design As Protest in NYC”

NYCHA Debuts Design Guidelines for Improving Public Housing

On 01.12.17, representatives from the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) debuted the authority’s new Design Guidelines for the Rehabilitation of NYCHA Residential Buildings to a packed room of architects, policy makers, urban designers, and concerned NYC residents. As part of NYCHA’s 10-year strategic plan entitled NextGeneration NYCHA, which aims to dramatically improve residents’ quality of life through updated health, environmental, and social policies, the publication details new guidelines and procedures to improve the interiors and exteriors of the 2,550 buildings within NYCHA’s domain. Continue reading “NYCHA Debuts Design Guidelines for Improving Public Housing”

2017 Policy Look-Ahead

As AIANY begins the New Year, we look ahead to some of the major policy areas and notable events our chapter will be focusing on in 2017. As the representative of more than 5,500 practicing architects, allied professionals, and students, our primary focus remains supporting the future of the profession and allowing communities to benefit from the value of architecture. Through our mission of public outreach and the elevation of the profession of architecture, AIANY continues to be a vocal presence in public debates on policy issues and major projects in New York. Continue reading “2017 Policy Look-Ahead”

New Penn-Farley Complex Revealed

On 12.05.16, AIANY hosted the design and development leaders of the recently announced Moynihan Train Hall, revealing many of the unknown design elements as part of the Pennsylvania Station-Farley Complex. Architects from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and Michael Evans, president of the Moynihan Station Development Corporation (MSDC), were on hand at the Center for Architecture, presenting to a packed house eager to hear more about the much-anticipated project. Continue reading “New Penn-Farley Complex Revealed”

Policy Pulse: New York Elected Officials Weigh in on Trump Administration

State and local elected officials have been quick to react to the election of Donald Trump and his continuing transition into the White House. Governor Cuomo, an early supporter of Hillary Clinton, vowed to work with Trump while assuring New Yorkers their state would remain a “refuge.” Cuomo expanded in a post declaring: “The State of New York has a proud legacy as the progressive capital of the nation, and that is more important today than ever before. As New Yorkers, we have fundamentally different philosophies than what Donald Trump laid out in his campaign.” Continue reading “Policy Pulse: New York Elected Officials Weigh in on Trump Administration”

Roadmap to 80×50

On 11.14.16, the Center for Architecture hosted an intimate discussion of New York City’s progress on its 80×50 initiative, an ambitious plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. Mayor de Blasio’s Office of Sustainability released its “Roadmap to 80×50” strategy this September, detailing how this goal would be achieved in various sectors of environmental concern, including waste, energy, transportation, and buildings. The city joined the 80×50 initiative in 2014.

Three members from the Office of Sustainability led the discussion: Benjamin Mandel, Renewable Energy Policy Advisor; Lia Carione, Senior Policy Advisor; and John Lee, RA, LEED AP, Deputy Director, Buildings and Energy Efficiency. Continue reading “Roadmap to 80×50”

Lobby Law Update

On 10.25.16, The Office of the City Clerk issued a favorable advisory opinion to clarify language from the 2013 Lobbying Law impacting architects, design professionals, and engineers. The opinion was prompted after AIANY and other trade organizations requested clarification about whether applications for work permits from the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) and preceding communication about those permits or other documents that are part of the normal construction process are considered lobbying. Continue reading “Lobby Law Update”