2020-21 Forefront FellowshipRe-ReleaseJune 12020

Due byJuly 222020

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Letter from the Executive Director ↓

Applicants,

Since we first released the application for the 2020 Forefront Fellowship, the coronavirus pandemic has upended life across the city. Our communities are grieving for loved ones, facing lost jobs and income, and struggling to pay rent or access food. Amidst this crisis, the challenges that our fellowship aims to explore have taken on new urgency.

While every neighborhood in New York has been affected, communities of color have been hardest hit by health and economic impacts of the pandemic. These racial disparities highlight structural inequalities in the city’s health system, economy, and built environment. As the city plans its recovery, building wealth in marginalized communities is critical to ensuring a healthier and more just future for our city.

In response to the crisis, we are reorienting this year’s Forefront Fellowship. Our work with the Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives and the Mayor’s Office of M/WBE to support minority- and women-owned businesses through climate investment will be more urgent than ever. The broader arc of the program will focus on a just economic recovery from the pandemic.

Our 2020 fellowship will convene in a hybrid digital and in-person format beginning this fall. We are developing creative strategies to facilitate community building and experiential research, hallmarks of the Forefront experience.

We are committed to lowering barriers to participation for this year’s Fellowship. Recognizing that health concerns, caretaking responsibilities, and other factors will impact everyone differently in the coming months, we will work individually with accepted Fellows to make accommodations.

Please find more details in the application below. The application deadline is now July 22, 2020.

The moment calls for a new class of diverse leaders working across disciplines to shape a healthier and more just city. We welcome your participation. Please direct any questions about the program to Katherine Sacco, katherine@urbandesignforum.org.

Onward,

Daniel McPhee Executive Director

The economic impacts of the coronavirus have hit low-income communities and communities of color hardest. Workers of color face greater job losses, immigrant workers are excluded from the social safety net, and minority-owned businesses are least likely to access government relief.

Cascading impacts from the pandemic show that many communities face concurrent public health, economic, and climate crises.

While the depths of the current economic crisis are profound, these racial disparities are not new. The median household income of a white New Yorker is twice the median income of Black, Latino, Asian, and other households of color. From 2007 to 2012, Black-owned businesses declined by 31% while business creation jumped 45% in 15 gentrifying neighborhoods.

Coronavirus recovery efforts must prioritize minority-owned businesses and worker ownership. Beyond the immediate recovery,

rectifying the racial wealth gap requires collective effort from all New Yorkers to support better jobs, small businesses, and resilient models of cooperative ownership.

Our 2020 Fellowship, Cooperative Works, explores how to support minority-owned businesses and workers of color, expand worker cooperatives, and democratize economic resources to build a more inclusive economy.

In Phase I, Fellows will partner with the Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives and the Mayor’s Office of M/WBE to explore how to create economic opportunity for MWBEs and employee-owned businesses through climate investment, leveraging the new market for building energy retrofits created by Local Law 97.

In Phase II, Fellows will work in independent teams to investigate broader avenues for the design, planning, and development communities to advance an inclusive economic recovery.

How can New York City advance economic justice in its coronavirus recovery? And how can the city leverage investment in climate action, infrastructure, and new industries to generate wealth in low-income neighborhoods?

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Program ↓

New York City’s coronavirus recovery must advance an inclusive economy and generate wealth in communities of color.

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Structure ↓

Phase II: Independent Team Projects

Fellows will work in interdisciplinary teams to explore how the design, planning, and development communities can support an inclusive economic recovery. Over six months, teams will interview stakeholders, lead an evening event, and develop an independent project advancing an original policy or design idea.

· Fellows will develop original projects, ranging from educational exhibits to place-based pilot programs to creative policy briefs. Fellows are encouraged to partner with a community-based organization for their project.

· Teams will showcase their projects at a capstone event, an evening celebration for teams to present proposals and receive feedback from invited stakeholders and guests.

Phase I: City Agency Partnership

In partnership with the Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives and the Mayor’s Office of M/WBE, Forefront Fellows will investigate how Local Law 97’s retrofit mandate can also advance economic democracy and support MWBEs and worker cooperatives. Over three months, Fellows will conduct local site visits, interview stakeholders, and create final deliverables.

· Fellows will produce a final report surveying building energy retrofit technology and recommending equitable business development strategies in the retrofit market.

· Fellows will design an engagement tool to communicate opportunities for minority- and worker-owned businesses to a broader audience.

About the ForumThe Urban Design Forum mobilizes civic leaders to confront the defining issues facing New York City’s built environment.

We are an independent membership organization that empowers professionals of diverse backgrounds, industries, and perspectives to shape a better future for all New Yorkers. We investigate complex challenges in the built environment, study alternative approaches from cities around the world, and advance progressive strategies to build a more dynamic and democratic city.

About ForefrontThe Forefront Fellowship is an annual professional fellowship dedicated to cultivating emerging leaders in urban design, development, policy, and advocacy.

Each year, an interdisciplinary cohort of 25 Forefront Fellows investigates how design can address a social or political challenge facing New York City. Over the course of 10 months, Fellows explore different approaches to the program topic in partnership with a City agency and through independent projects. Fellows build new skills and knowledge, expand their professional community, and develop meaningful projects with impact beyond the fellowship.

Forefront is grounded in an equity-based approach to urban design, which shapes the composition of each cohort, the selection of program theme, and the ethos of the program.

About Us ↓ Our Values ↓

1. We believe the design and development communities must address enduring injustices in New York City, such as housing, segregation, economic inequality, and environmental racism.

2. We believe New York should convene with and learn from international cities for pioneering and inspiring solutions to urban challenges.

3. We believe creating interdisciplinary cohorts of emerging urban leaders can empower more diverse leadership in the design and development professions.

4. We believe government agencies should develop a long-term vision for the built environment, rather than achieve short-term wins.

5. We believe decision-makers must build with, and not for, traditionally disenfranchised communities, such as women, people of color, people with disabilities, and people from low-wealth communities.

6. We believe the public should be mobilized around the value of design in achieving equity, inclusion, and sustainability in the built environment.

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What We Offer ↓

Take Creative LicenseForefront offers Fellows an opportunity to apply their skills and creativity in a multidisciplinary context beyond the scope of their daily work.

Make Civic ImpactFellows deliver projects that shape the future of New York in partnership with city agencies. Previous projects have included developing heat resiliency recommendations for the Mayor’s Office of Resiliency and design guidelines for the Department of Homeless Services.

Produce Original WorkIn Phase II, Fellows work in small teams to develop creative proposals that can spark projects that endure beyond the Fellowship. Previous teams have presented at conferences, been featured in design publications, received professional awards, and engaged with public officials.

Build Leadership SkillsForefront develops Fellows’ personal leadership skills and elevates their work through workshops, showcases, and tailored introductions to civic leaders. As alumni, Fellows advise on Forefront programming and mentor subsequent cohorts.

Leverage Our NetworkFellows connect with the Urban Design Forum’s 600 members in New York City and across the country.

Participate in Forum ProgramsForefront Fellows enjoy two years of complimentary Urban Design Forum membership and access to the Forum’s full program offerings, including workshops, roundtables, and tours throughout the year.

Work CollaborativelyWe ask that Forefront Fellows come with a willingness to collaborate and learn from others. Teamwork is essential to the program.

Respect DifferencesFellows bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives to the cohort. We ask that Forefront Fellows respect and learn from one another’s lived experiences.

Bring Rigor & CreativityWe ask that Fellows dedicate rigorous critical thinking and expansive creativity to their work.

Commit Your TimeWe ask that Fellows help us co-create the fellowship. Fellows should anticipate attending Forefront events (in person or digitally) every two to three weeks for the 10-month duration of the fellowship. Fellows should plan to dedicate an additional four to eight hours each week for independent work and research.

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What We Ask For ↓

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Hybrid ProgrammingThe program will convene in a hybrid in-person and digital format following the most up-to-date safety guidance from New York City health officials. Specific format details will be shared with accepted Fellows in advance of orientation.

Individual AccommodationsWe will work with all accepted Fellows on an individual basis to accommodate any unique health and safety concerns, caretaking responsibilities, technology needs, or other circumstances. Specific accommodations we can offer include facilitating asynchronous participation and providing wifi hotspots and essential software.

Time CommitmentFellows should make reasonable efforts to attend all required dates. Please indicate anticipated conflicts with required dates when submitting an application.

Fellows should expect to commit four to eight hours per week throughout the Fellowship.

ApplicationApplication Re-Release Mon, June 1Info Session Tues, June 23Application Deadline Wed, July 22

SelectionNotification of Results Thurs, July 30

Phase IAll dates are full-day activities.Orientation Sat, September 12*Fieldwork Day 1 Fri, September 25*Fieldwork Day 2 Fri, October 2*Fieldwork Day 3 Fri, October 16*Writing Workshop 1 Sat, October 24*Writing Workshop 2 Sat, November 7*Writing Workshop 3 Sat, November 14*

Phase IIFull-day retreat; all other dates are evening events.Retreat Sat, January 9*Project Workshop Thurs, January 28Fellows Evening Event Thurs, February 18Fellows Evening Event Thurs, March 4Fellows Evening Event Thurs, March 18Fellows Evening Event Thurs, March 25 Project Workshop Thurs, April 22Project Workshop Thurs, May 20Fellowship Capstone Thurs, June 17*

Alumni ProgramCelebration Tues, June 29

*Required dates. Please indicate anticipated conflicts when submitting an application.

Calendar ↓ Program Format ↓

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Who Should Apply ↓ How to Apply ↓

Interests & ExperienceForefront Fellows are architects, landscape architects, advocates, planners, engineers, developers, public officials, technologists, data scientists, lawyers, scholars and journalists. Fellows typically have five to ten years of working experience, though we welcome mid-career candidates of any age.

This year, we welcome candidates with interest in community design, inclusive economic development, and/or environmental justice to apply. We particularly encourage candidates with expertise in energy efficient design and engineering; workforce and business development; equitable economic development; and environmental advocacy and policy.

Diversity, Equity & InclusionForefront reflects the Forum’s commitment to promote the achievements of traditionally underrepresented groups in planning and design. Women, people of color, people with disabilities, and professionals with experience in diverse community settings are strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional CriteriaFellows must live or work in the five boroughs of New York City for the duration of the Fellowship to be considered.

Information SessionInterested applicants are welcome to attend our digital information session:

Tuesday, June 236:30 - 7:30pmRSVP to receive the Zoom link: rsvp@urbandesignforum.org

Application MaterialsSubmit application materials by Wednesday, July 22 at 11:59pm via the online application form.

1. CV

2. Statement of Interest In no more than 500 words, candidates should discuss their interest in participating in the Forum’s activities, their recent work and research that demonstrate their commitment to building equitable cities, and their interest in exploring climate justice.

3. Nominating Letter (optional) Candidates are welcome, though not required, to submit a nominating letter from a supervisor or department head. When possible, candidates are encouraged to seek a letter by a Fellow of the Forum. In no more than 500 words, nominating letters should address the candidate’s contributions to the fields of urban design, planning, policy, and advocacy; promise of future achievement; and potential contributions to the work of the Forum.

Please submit nominating letters and direct all questions to Katherine Sacco, katherine@urbandesignforum.org.

Urban Design Forum 114 Bowery, Suite 301 New York, NY 10013 urbandesignforum.org 646-928-0550