Formation of the Public Design Alliance: A Collaborative Response to Contemporary Challenges

Introduction

In light of recent challenges including the termination of federal support for arts and cultural institutions and the suppression of diversity initiatives, 15 New York–based architecture and design nonprofits have united to establish the Public Design Alliance. This network aims to create a structured framework to enhance collaboration and strengthen the collective impact of its member organizations.

Mission and Core Priorities

The Public Design Alliance’s mission emphasizes responsiveness, collaboration, and solidarity across the design sector in New York City. The Alliance focuses on four core priorities:

1. Knowledge sharing
2. Program collaboration
3. Community and audience building
4. Message amplification

Addressing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Alliance’s work aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including:

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – By addressing climate resilience and housing equity, the Alliance promotes sustainable urban development.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Through championing diversity and equity in cultural initiatives, the Alliance fosters inclusive communities.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – The Alliance supports climate resilience efforts within urban design and architecture.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – By advocating for public trust and civil society, the Alliance contributes to strengthening institutions.

Statements from Leadership

Jesse Lazar, Executive Director of AIA New York and the Center for Architecture, highlighted the complexity of urban challenges such as climate resilience, housing equity, and public trust, noting that these issues require collaborative efforts beyond individual organizations. Lazar emphasized the necessity for deeper collaboration, connectivity, and solidarity in the current political and economic climate.

Gregory Wessner, Executive Director of the National Academy of Design, underscored the crisis faced by cultural nonprofits, particularly those advocating for equity, diverse voices, and climate action, following funding cuts and political challenges. He described the Public Design Alliance as a collective step toward advocating for the vital role of cultural organizations in sustaining civil society.

Kristin LaBuz, Executive Director of Open House New York, added that while federal funding for arts and culture is being reduced, resilience within the nonprofit sector is increasingly rooted in collaboration.

Founding Organizations

As of June 25, the Public Design Alliance comprises the following founding organizations:

• AIA New York
• Architectural League of New York
• Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation
• Center for Architecture
• Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP)
• Design Trust for Public Space
• Institute for Public Architecture
• Municipal Art Society of New York
• National Academy of Design
• NYCxDESIGN
• Open House New York
• Regional Plan Association (RPA)
• Storefront for Art and Architecture
• Urban Design Forum
• Van Alen Institute

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article discusses challenges facing cities such as climate resilience, housing equity, and public trust, which are central to SDG 11.
   • The Public Design Alliance’s focus on collaboration within the design sector to address urban challenges aligns with the goal of making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • The article highlights the role of cultural organizations in sustaining and protecting civil society, which relates to building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions.
   • The emphasis on advocacy and solidarity among nonprofits supports the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Climate resilience is explicitly mentioned as a challenge the Alliance aims to address.
   • The involvement of organizations promoting climate action ties directly to SDG 13.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The Alliance’s priorities include knowledge sharing and community/audience building, which relate to inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities.
5. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article mentions the suppression of diversity initiatives and the promotion of equity and diverse voices, linking to reducing inequalities within and among countries.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.
   • Target 11.b: Increase the number of cities adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.7: Ensure that all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.
5. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 11 Indicators
   • Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing (implied through housing equity concerns).
   • Number of cities with integrated policies for climate resilience and sustainable urban planning (implied by the Alliance’s focus on collaboration and policy advocacy).
2. SDG 16 Indicators
   • Proportion of population who believe decision-making is inclusive and responsive (implied through community and audience building efforts).
   • Number of cultural organizations actively engaged in advocacy for civil society protection (implied by the Alliance’s advocacy role).
3. SDG 13 Indicators
   • Number of organizations implementing climate resilience initiatives (implied through climate action focus).
   • Extent of collaboration on climate adaptation projects within urban design sectors.
4. SDG 4 Indicators
   • Number of knowledge-sharing programs and community education initiatives conducted by the Alliance.
5. SDG 10 Indicators
   • Representation of diverse voices and equity-focused initiatives within cultural and design nonprofits.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: architecturalrecord.com