Press Releases

For Immediate Release
September 26, 2018

Contacts:
Rachaele Raynoff, Joe Marvilli – press@planning.nyc.gov (212) 720-3471

On The Job: Video Interviews of DCP Staffers Highlight City Planning Goals and Effectiveness

September 26, 2018 - Department of City Planning (DCP) Director Marisa Lago today launched the first in a series of video interviews introducing some DCP staffers behind the latest advancements at DCP.

The first video, featuring Hannah Marcus, DCP’s Deputy Director of Land Use, is available here.

As many as six other video profiles will be released in the coming weeks and months. They each offer an inside look at the professionals working with communities across New York City to plan for the future – and the diverse expertise, including analytical, outreach, technical and planning work, that is found at DCP.

“These fascinating video portraits offer a view into the exciting daily work of the DCP team. From resiliency, to economic development, to transportation, to zoning, to urban design – and even the making of the new, more accessible City Planning Commission hearing room – the talented DCP team plans comprehensively for our city. I invite you to take a take a front row seat and learn more about what DCP does,” said DCP Director Marisa Lago

Please follow us on YouTube or Twitter @NYCPlanning for notices of new video interview posts.

The first interview features Hannah Marcus, a former DCP legal assistant who got her architecture degree, worked in construction, and is now DCP’s Deputy Director of Land Use. Marcus helped oversee significant improvements, which were finalized this summer, to the City Planning Commission’s new hearing room at 120 Broadway in Manhattan. The new facility encourages public participation in the land use review process and offers livestreams of all public hearings.

Future video releases will focus on DCP staff with an array of skills including:

  • planning for climate resilience, particularly for coastal neighborhoods,
  • enhancing urban design to ensure welcoming, healthy, sustainable and well used spaces,
  • keeping track of population change and ensuring that the city is counted fairly and accurately in the U.S. Census,
  • assessing the needs for parking and other transportation options to foster efficient development that provides affordable housing and new job generating spaces,
  • facilitating transparency with easy and interactive access to the agency’s vast stock of data and maps

The videos were shot and edited in house by Dana Leventhal, a DCP intern who is studying Urban Planning at Hunter College. The project allowed her to learn about and document the project and policy goals of various DCP experts and the divisions they work in.

Department of City Planning
The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the strategic growth and development of the City through ground-up planning with communities, the development of land use policies and zoning regulations applicable citywide, and its contribution to the preparation of the City’s 10-year Capital Strategy. DCP promotes housing production and affordability, fosters economic development and coordinated investments in infrastructure and services, and supports resilient, sustainable communities across the five boroughs for a more equitable New York City.

In addition, DCP supports the City Planning Commission in its annual review of approximately 450 land use applications for a variety of discretionary approvals. The Department also assists both government agencies and the public by advising on strategic and capital planning and providing policy analysis, technical assistance and data relating to housing, transportation, community facilities, demography, zoning, urban design, waterfront areas and public open space.