Event Description
Cities worldwide face unprecedented challenges, making urban design’s role in governance more critical than ever. Within the New York City Department of City Planning, the urban design practice has positioned the city as a global model for public-sector design excellence. As a new mayoral administration takes shape, how can NYC sustain design leadership in creating livable, equitable, and resilient places?
This session examines the enduring impact of urban design practice at City Planning, highlighting its role as an engine of innovation within government. Through case studies and insights from the Chief Urban Designer and colleagues from across the agency, we will explore how dedicated civil servants are redefining 21st-century urbanism—balancing urgent municipal demands with long-term vision. By sharing these lessons, the session underscores that urban design is not simply technical expertise, but a civic craft powered by collaborative ingenuity—shaping communities in New York City and influencing cities worldwide.
Speakers
Erick Gregory, LEED AP, Chief Urban Designer, Director of Urban Design, NYC DCP
Sagi Golan, Assoc. AIA, Deputy Director of Urban Design, NYC DCP
Moderators:
Phu Duong, AIA, AICP, LEED AP, Co-chair, Planning and Urban Design Committee, AIANY; Founding Principal, Urban X Design LLC
Shachi Pandey, Assoc. AIA, AICP, LEED AP, Co-chairs of the Planning and Urban Design Committee, AIANY; Founding Principal, Metropolitan Urban Design Workshop
Speaker Bios
Erick Gregory is the Chief Urban Designer at the New York City Department of City Planning, where he guides urban design practice across the agency and plays a central role in shaping public realm planning, policy, and design citywide. He leads interdisciplinary efforts that advance thoughtful design through neighborhood and citywide studies, design review, research initiatives, and meaningful community engagement. Erick is committed to strengthening the livability of New York City’s neighborhoods and ensuring that the public realm is open, safe, and welcoming for all.
Erick holds a Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and a Bachelor of Architecture from University of Oklahoma. He is a Robert Bosch Fellow, a LEED Accredited Professional, and a member of the Urban Design Forum.
Sagi Golan is an architect and urban designer serving as the Deputy Director of Urban Design at the New York City Department of City Planning, where he leads the design vision and public realm frameworks for major neighborhood plans across the five boroughs. His work operates at the intersection of architecture, city form, and public policy, focusing on translating core urban design principles into zoning tools, design guidelines, and strategies that shape how buildings meet the street, how public spaces function, and how large-scale development contributes to a cohesive and equitable urban fabric.
In addition to his public-sector leadership, Golan teaches graduate urban design at Columbia University’s GSAPP, coordinating studios that explore urban systems, climate resiliency, environmental justice, and narrative methods. Through his combined practice, teaching, and public engagement, he advances design as both a regulatory framework and a creative instrument for shaping dynamic and accessible environments.
Phu Duong is an architect, urban designer, and educator, working to envision healthy and prosperous futures for cities and communities of all kinds. He is committed to bringing out design excellence in architecture, urban design, placemaking, and economic development through planning ventures by strategically integrating design scales, social equity, climate resilience, and purpose driven impact for good. He is founding principal of Urban X Design LLC and has taught at Columbia University, Syracuse University, Parsons School of Design, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and the City College of New York.
Shachi Pandey is a community-focused urban designer and founder of Metropolitan Urban Design Workshop, where she advances planning and design solutions that expand public access and support community-led goals in infrastructure and industrial districts. Her work emphasizes participatory engagement and implementable design strategies. Shachi holds a Master’s degree in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania and has taught at Columbia GSAPP, Cornell AAP, NYU, Pratt, Hunter College, and Universidad de LaSalle. She also serves as Vice President of Intergovernmental Affairs for APA NY Metro.
