A shocking development has rocked the New York City planning scene, leaving many in disbelief and raising questions about the future of urban design. The NYC Department of City Planning (DCP) has announced a major reorganization, and it's not sitting well with experts and enthusiasts alike.
The Urban Design Division (UDD), a vital team within DCP, is facing an uncertain future. This division, with its rich history and significant contributions to the city's development, is being dismantled, and its members are being dispersed across different departments. But why now? And what does this mean for the city's urban design landscape?
The Story Unfolds
On December 17, 2025, DCP executive director Edith Hsu-Chen broke the news to the UDD, and the following day, an email from commissioner Dan Garodnick confirmed the decision. The timing is particularly controversial, as it comes just days before the Mamdani administration takes over.
The Plan and Its Implications
If the reorganization goes ahead, Erick Gregory, the current Chief Urban Designer and Director of Urban Design, will retain his title, but the UDD itself will cease to exist. Sagi Golan, the Deputy Director of Urban Design, will become a Senior Urban Design Specialist, serving as a key point of contact for on-the-ground discussions.
The remaining UDD employees, a team of around 10, will be reassigned to various divisions within the agency. This move has left many in the planning community bewildered and frustrated. According to sources, no one within the UDD was consulted about this decision prior to its announcement.
A Voice from Within
Jeffrey Shumaker, a former UDD member who joined in 2007, shared his concerns with AN. He expressed his disbelief at the sudden move, questioning why such a significant change was being made just before a new administration took charge. Shumaker emphasized the impact this decision has had on urban designers, many of whom are distraught and confused.
Defending the Decision
Edith Hsu-Chen, the DCP executive director, defended the reorganization as a natural progression. She explained that urban design has evolved from a specialized function to an integral part of DCP's work, with urban designers now embedded in borough offices. Chen believes that this reorganization will further enhance the role of urban designers by bringing them into policy-focused divisions, ensuring their expertise is reflected across the agency.
Voices of Opposition
Amanda Burden, a principal at Bloomberg Associates and a former leader of the UDD, strongly opposes the decision. She emphasized the critical role the Design Division played in crafting and improving projects, both large and small. Burden believes that individual designers in separate borough offices will lack the collaborative benefits and the ability to advise the commissioner effectively.
Kate Orff, the founder of SCAPE and director of the Urban Design Program at Columbia GSAPP, also voiced her opposition. She described the elimination and restructuring of urban design as an unwelcome surprise, highlighting the importance of a dedicated team to bring coherence to the complex web of city agencies.
Julio Salcedo-Fernandez, director of the Urban Design Program at the Spitzer School of Architecture, echoed these sentiments. He argued that operating solely at the borough scale limits the capacity for innovation and integrated solutions, especially as New York looks to address social and environmental disparities while densifying.
Claire Weisz, founder of WXY, affirmed the value of good urban design, citing tangible benefits from the collaboration between urban design and city planning. From the High Line to Freshkills Park, and from East Midtown Rezoning to Gowanus, these projects showcase how urban design strengthens planning.
The Future of Urban Design in NYC
As the dust settles on this controversial decision, the question remains: What does the future hold for urban design in New York City? Will this reorganization truly enhance the role of urban designers, or will it dilute their impact? The answers to these questions will shape the city's development for years to come.
And this is where your voice matters. What do you think about this reorganization? Is it a step forward or a step back for urban design in NYC? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
