Regional Plan Association

The ideas promoted by the tri-state Regional Plan Association, which turns 100 this year, read like an anthology of what US urban planning got right - and wrong, writes Bloomberg CityLab. CityLab traces our organization's growth and development from the influential First Regional Plan in 1929 right up to New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s historic State of the State address last month. This article comes as we prepare to launch our Centennial celebration in May. We hope this is a fun and informative read for planning enthusiasts everywhere. Let us know what you think in the comments

"People need mobility in order to thrive," RPA NJ Director Zoe Baldwin said during a recent hearing convened by the NJ Assembly’s transportation committee. "We cannot make the state more equitable, or less segregated, without actively working to increase transportation options."

Calling all New Jersey residents, activists, community organizations and policymakers! The virtual series "IMAGINE MORE: Racial Justice Begins with Us" begins this week. Don't miss the first session exploring the roots of the racial wealth gap and outlining reparative strategies to ensure that every New Jerseyan can prosper. 2/24 @ 6pm EST http://bit.ly/ImagineMoreWealth

Calling all New Jersey residents, activists, community organizations and policymakers! The virtual series "IMAGINE MORE: Racial Justice Begins with Us" begins this week. Don't miss the first session exploring the roots of the racial wealth gap and outlining reparative strategies to ensure that every New Jerseyan can prosper. 2/24 @ 6pm EST http://bit.ly/ImagineMoreWealth

Join Desegregate CT for an organizing workshop to kick off an important legislative session! We'll discuss the most effective ways to communicate with legislators and get our 2022 platform over the finish line in Hartford. 2/22 @ 12pm EST https://bit.ly/3BBiPkG

New research last week confirmed the US will see about one foot of sea level rise by 2050. In 2016, we demonstrated what that might look like in the region, and which pieces of vital infrastructure would be affected. Revisit "Under Water."

Join Desegregate CT for an organizing workshop to kick off an important legislative session! We'll discuss the most effective ways to communicate with legislators and get our 2022 platform over the finish line in Hartford. 2/22 @ 12pm EST https://bit.ly/3BBiPkG

As we prepare to launch RPA’s Centennial celebration in May this year - RPA 100 - we continue to trace back our history in each state. Next up, the lower Hudson Valley! Many of our key contributions to the Hudson Valley involve open space preservation - like efforts to protect Bear Mountain, the Shawangunks, and the top of the Palisades - and energy production.

Recalibrate Reality: WeWork’s CEO Sandeep Mathrani and Scott Rechler 92Y and Regional Plan Association kick off the second season of Recalibrate Reality with host Scott Rechler in discussion with Sandeep Mathrani, the CEO of WeWork, on the future of work. Scott and Sandeep discuss how WeWork has grown throughout the pandemic, what workers are looking for when it comes to the office, and how virtual and augmented reality could completely change how we think about the office.

Last week we co-hosted a conversation with Governor Kathy Hochul about New York's infrastructure needs, touching on Gateway, Penn Station, Interborough Express, accessory dwelling units, and much more. Thanks to the Governor for joining us, thanks to the Cornell University Brooks School of Public Policy for co-hosting, and thanks to RPA Board member Janette Sadik-Khan for moderating and asking the important questions.

Last week we co-hosted a conversation with Governor Kathy Hochul about New York's infrastructure needs, touching on Gateway, Penn Station, Interborough Express, accessory dwelling units, and much more. Thanks to the Governor for joining us, thanks to the Cornell University Brooks School of Public Policy for co-hosting, and thanks to RPA Board member Janette Sadik-Khan for moderating and asking the important questions.

We are excited to expand our work with the Center for Housing Opportunity into Litchfield County, Connecticut, the far northeastern reaches of the 31-county tri-state region. Check out their new website to get a sense for what affordable housing looks like in the county right now bit.ly/3sDZv22

Do you want to help #LegalizeADUs in New York? Join us on Twitter for a tweet storm today from 11am-3pm EST Share why you support accessory dwelling units, tag the Governor and your representatives, and use the hashtag #LegalizeADUs. Resources https://bit.ly/LegalizeADUcampaign

We are excited to expand our work with the Center for Housing Opportunity into Litchfield County, Connecticut, the far northeastern reaches of the 31-county tri-state region. Check out their new website to get a sense for what affordable housing looks like in the county right now bit.ly/3sDZv22

Join us next month for a virtual town hall with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Administrator Nuria Fernandez and Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose who will discuss plans for the nation's most urgent infrastructure project, the Gateway Program, hosted by the Build Gateway Coalition and partners. 3/8 @ 11am EST http://rpa.org/events/gateway-town-hall

Do you want to help #LegalizeADUs in New York? Join us on Twitter for a tweet storm today from 11am-3pm EST Share why you support accessory dwelling units, tag the Governor and your representatives, and use the hashtag #LegalizeADUs. Resources https://bit.ly/LegalizeADUcampaign

"Legalizing ADUs will provide critical new housing options for our workforce, supporting local economies and allowing people to spend more time and money close to home." A diverse coalition voiced support for accessory dwelling units to State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins last week. https://rpa.org//tes/letter-adu-housing-legislature-budget

The tri-state region's population has increased 6% in the last decade but housing stock has only increased 3.5%. Suburbs are feeling the pinch but few are doing enough to create new housing and ease burdens on renters and homeowners. State action is required. Learn more in new analysis of housing trends in the region.

Join us next month for a virtual town hall with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Administrator Nuria Fernandez and Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose who will discuss plans for the nation's most urgent infrastructure project, the Gateway Program, hosted by the Build Gateway Coalition and partners. 3/8 @ 11am EST http://rpa.org/events/gateway-town-hall

Accessory dwelling units (ADU) are are popular. Several dozen diverse organizations representing seniors, builders, planners, and New Yorkers struggling with housing insecurity - including AARP New York, Health & Welfare Council of Long Island and New York State Builders Association - voiced their support for ADUs in a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul this morning. To show YOUR support for ADUs, quickly write to your lawmakers today in English or Spanish using the helpful link below. A majority of the tri-state residents support commonsense land use reforms like those Governor Horchul is proposing, so let's make it known! Write lawmakers bit.ly/3GCHqWZ.

We simply cannot reduce pollution 50% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 if we don’t greatly accelerate our transition away from natural gas. Fortunately, we're witnessing the beginning of the end of gas in New York. RPA Senior Fellow Dale Bryk dives deep in our latest policy analysis.

Recalibrate Reality: Microsoft's James Phillips and Scott Rechler How do we recalibrate reality to create a better, brighter future for New York? Scott Rechler, chair of the Regional Plan Association and CEO of RXR Realty, hosts a conversation with Microsoft's James Phillips about how we bring New York City back. James Phillips is president of Microsoft’s Digital Transformation Platform group an engineering organization with more than 15,000 product developers spanning the globe. His teams build and operate Microsoft's business applications and services; and the application, integration, intelligence and data platforms beneath them collectively powering the digital transformation initiatives of some of the world’s largest organizations.

Last week, RPA joined Fairfield County's Center for Housing Opportunity and more than 50 other faith, health, and housing groups to call on Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and the state legislature to prioritize housing when allocating federal COVID-19 relief funds.

ICYMI: Outdoor dining is in! Check out this NYT article to learn more about what the future of outdoor dining in NYC could potentially shape up to be: https://www.nytimes.com//29/dining/outdoor-dining-nyc.html

Wednesday, June 30 is your last chance to nominate restaurants and community groups for cash prizes during the Alfresco Awards hosted by Alfresco NYC. Get those nominations in! https://bit.ly/alfresco-awards-nomination

Creating housing on undeveloped land near mass transportation and downtowns in the TriSstate area could accommodate nearly half a million new residents. It’s how we can ensure the LIRR contributes to a stronger, more sustainable and equitable future: http://ow.ly/Jzqa50Fk4s6

Thursday on 'Recalibrate Reality' with 92nd Street Y, James Phillips, President of Microsoft's Digital Transformation Platform Group, shares his thoughts about New York City's recovery with RPA Chair Scott Rechler. 6/24 @ 7pm

NEW REPORT: Amid all the speculation about what the pandemic means for the future of New York City and the metro region, "New York's Next Comeback" separates fact from fiction, debunks doomsday predictions about density, transit, and urban flight, and identifies three key threats to recovery. RPA also offers five key causes for optimism and five key misconceptions to avoid on the road to recovery. This paper ultimately outlines what so many of us know - NYC isn't going anywhere, but to recover and become stronger, fairer, and more resilient, we've got our work cut out for us. So let’s get to work.

Hear RPA President and CEO Tom Wright address the serious challenges facing New York City and the metro region on November 18th as part of Capalino+Company's "Future of New York" series. He'll speak one-on-one with Capalino President Travis Terry. Register: https://bit.ly/3jhkOzx

The effects of climate change are here and will only grow worse. Last year, Make the Road New York and RPA worked with Queens, NY residents to understand how they'd like to adapt to it and created this guide based in large part on their recommendations.

"Communities need different types of housing," RPA's Ellis Calvin told Newsday, speaking about our recently released Long Island Housing Data Profiles. "A young couple would need different housing than a family of five, which needs different types of housing then a senior living on their own."

Younger Long Islanders are forced to leave their communities to find housing that’s affordable elsewhere, aging empty-nesters often struggle to downsize, and owners and renters of all ages and backgrounds are saddled with high housing costs," says RPA President Tom Wright. "To retain the talent that will drive future economic success, Long Island must diversify its housing stock.

Registration is now open for Tipping Point, the (virtual) annual conference on affordable housing in Connecticut! Join us for an exciting week of free sessions on research, advocacy, and policy. Register here: bit.ly/2Hp4ijH

"The outcome of the 2020 presidential election promises to have profound implications for the most urgent infrastructure project in the nation." RPA's New Jersey Director Nat Bottigheimer marked the ten-year anniversary of Governor Chris Christie's decision to kill the Hudson River tunnel project with this op-ed in NJ.com.

RPA President Tom Wright joined Sam Chandan on Urban Lab to discuss our report "New York's Next Comeback," which puts the current crises into historical context and identifies the greatest threats facing New York City and the region (link in comments).

NEW REPORT: Today, RPA published an index of demographic and housing data for each of Long Island's cities, towns, and villages plus more than 80 of its largest hamlets. Municipalities, developers, and advocates can use this tool to update the island's housing stock to better align with today's needs, and residents can use it to learn more about their community.

"If people don’t come back to public transit, there’ll be more driving than ever before & then there’ll be more congestion than ever before. That’s a bad recipe for the NY region & for Long Island as well," RPA Senior Fellow Jeff Zupan told Newsday.

We're thrilled to see the New York Daily News endorse housing solutions for NYC which RPA has long championed, including upzoning more affluent neighborhoods, lifting the FAR cap, and allowing more accessory dwelling units and conversions of single-family homes.

It's all parking.

"Regional Plan Association estimates that 500,000 new homes, including 100,000 in New York City, can be created and at minimal cost if state and local governments make it easier for basements, garages and attics to be converted into legal dwellings," writes The New York Times.

The Fourth Regional Plan (2017) provides specific recommendations to promote inclusive growth that would bring share prosperity, equity, improved health, and sustainability for the region.

"New York City is incredibly resilient, but what we tend to do in the middle of a crisis is to underestimate that resiliency," RPA's Chief Planner Chris Jones told Gothamist. "We're trying to provide some balance to the narrative that New York City is spiraling into decline by looking at what the facts are telling us."