Category: Policy and Advocacy

Policy Pulse: FitCity 2016

FitCity 2016 is on 06.08.16 at BAM Fisher in Brooklyn, NY. Hosted by AIANY and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, FitCity is an annual conference that convenes stakeholders across diverse disciplines such as architecture, public health, urban planning, academia, and community development, to champion the role of design in creating healthy neighborhoods. Continue reading “Policy Pulse: FitCity 2016”

Your Input Requested for the Future of NYC Streets

The NYC Department of Transportation’s Street Design Manual is a comprehensive outline of street design standards, guidelines, and policies for New York City. The first edition was released in May 2009. The second edition, released in October 2013 and revised in January 2016, was updated based on feedback from users. Now, DOT is working on its third version of the Street Design Manual. Continue reading “Your Input Requested for the Future of NYC Streets”

No Disasters According to Plan, but the Hot Ones are Inevitable

Last November’s the AIANY Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee’s (DfRR) symposium Extreme Heat: Hot Cities assembled experts from multiple specialties to address the risks associated with increasingly frequent and severe heat waves as global temperatures continue to rise. Combining a health-oriented follow-up panel with the release of the symposium report in print, online, and video formats, “Heat Waves” adds momentum to the interdisciplinary activity that Brian Stone has dubbed “urban heat management,” drawing on the expertise of architects, landscape architects, public health experts, and others. “No disaster goes according to plan,” commented panelist Cynthia Barton of the NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM), but as unprecedented global conditions continue to make thermal disasters ever likelier, these knowledgeable parties are doing what’s possible to plan for them. Continue reading “No Disasters According to Plan, but the Hot Ones are Inevitable”

Policy Pulse: NYCEDC’s Maria Torres-Springer: Advancing Architecture One Industry at a Time

On 04.12.16 at the Center for Architecture, Maria Torres-Springer, president and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), discussed how NYCEDC encourages inclusive innovation and economic growth through the built environment. NYCEDC manages more than 200 city-owned properties for which the agency completes community planning and development work. In addition, the agency spearheads economic development initiatives throughout the five boroughs in an effort to diversify the city’s economy. Continue reading “Policy Pulse: NYCEDC’s Maria Torres-Springer: Advancing Architecture One Industry at a Time”

#PromoteTheVote

Unfortunately, New York has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the country, but we can help change that. Not only is it important for you to vote, but employers are also obligated to properly inform their employees.

New York’s Primary is on 04.19.16. New York State Election Law 3-110 requires that employers notify employees that they may be eligible for up to two hours of paid time if they do not have enough time to vote. The Association for a Better New York (ABNY) and the Partnership for New York City launched #PromoteTheVote to raise awareness about this law and encourage employees to take advantage of it. Employers can join the effort at PromoteTheVote.nyc. Continue reading “#PromoteTheVote”

Big News on the Zoning Front: City Council Passes ZQA

On 03.22.16, the New York City Council voted to approve the NYC Department of City Planning’s (DCP) Zoning for Quality and Affordability (ZQA) and Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) proposals with modifications. Since introducing ZQA and MIH, DCP has worked with Council Members, community groups, and professionals to appropriately adapt the plan to specific neighborhood needs. Together, these changes will facilitate the production of necessary affordable housing throughout NYC and encourage better design.

Over the past year, AIANY has provided technical feedback on ZQA, hosted public programs and charrettes on the topic, and publicly supported the proposal. Our previous statements are available here. Continue reading “Big News on the Zoning Front: City Council Passes ZQA”

Lobbying Law Update to Impact Architects

When you present a client’s projects to New York City government review entities, your testimony may be “lobbying” and subject to the NYC Lobbying Law.

Lobbying is the attempt to influence decisions made by city government officials and is governed by a series of local laws, dating to 1987 and revised in 2013, that include requirements for architects to register as lobbyists. The City Clerk has prepared a pamphlet with additional information on the registration requirements for architects and other professionals. Continue reading “Lobbying Law Update to Impact Architects”

Architects, Your Vote Matters

Register to vote! The Presidential primaries are already upon us, and the AIA wants every architect to take part in the political process. AIA member participation in the upcoming elections is critical to advancing policies that help architects design better buildings and communities.

If you have not already registered to vote, the AIA Advocacy Action Center can help you. There, you can also stay informed. The AIA 2016 Presidential Candidate Profiles feature candidates’ stances on the issues that impact architects most to ensure that AIA members make informed decisions.

New York’s primary is 04.19.16. Continue reading “Architects, Your Vote Matters”

The Influence of Zoning: Architects Advocate for Change

The final public hearing on the NYC Department of City Planning’s Zoning for Quality and Affordability (ZQA) proposal took place on 02.10.16 before the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises. The hearing came after the City Planning Commission voted to approve a slightly updated version of the text on 02.03.16. Continue reading “The Influence of Zoning: Architects Advocate for Change”