The Urban Design Forum and Van Alen Institute have announced a new cycle of Neighborhoods Now, their initiative launched in the Spring of 2020 that pairs leading architecture, design, economic development, legal, and planning firms with local New York City organizations to help drive their communities’ pandemic recovery. 

As detailed in a statement by the Van Alen Institute, “Under the heading Neighborhoods Now: Forward, the initiative will extend through the end of 2022 and transition from rapid, tactical responses to long-term recovery strategies on a wider scale. Led by community organizations, seven interdisciplinary teams will enliven and program public space, provide technical support to small businesses, and strengthen cultural activities.”

The teams are led by: 82nd Street Partnership, Asian Americans for Equality and Think!Chinatown; Bed-Stuy Gateway BID; Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation; Community League of the Heights; FABnyc; and the Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition. Projects include the expansion of the Chinatown Nights night market to accommodate a wider array of food and art vendors as well as work to complete a neighborhood assessment of the Kingsbridge neighborhood in the Bronx to understand current challenges and long-term opportunities for small businesses and individuals in the community. More information on the teams and projects can be seen here.

14 firms from the initial cycle of Neighborhoods Now are continuing their work with the initiative, with new firms including Barretto Consulting, Beyer Blinder Belle, BJH Advisors, Dash Marshall, HLW Architects, Gehl Studio, MA’AM, NHDM, Smart Design, and The Working Assembly.

Neighborhoods Now: Forward is funded through a grant from Wells Fargo’s Open for Business Fund. Teams will meet throughout the year to share their experiences and ideas.

“Collaborating with our brilliant community partners has reassured me that the future of New York City is bright,” said Daniel McPhee, the Executive Director at Urban Design Forum. “We are delighted that our members are continuing to help small businesses and cultural organizations recover from the pandemic and thrive.”