06 / 05 / 19
HOBOKEN HONORED BY
NEW JERSEY FUTURE
The City’s 2018 Reexamination Report and Land Use Element focusing on growth, preservation, and resilience initiatives, was honored at the New Jersey Future Smart Growth Awards 2019, celebrating the State’s top smart and innovative projects in planning and development.
05 / 30 / 19
ENVISION MOUNT KISCO GETS A SHOUT OUT FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The Village of Mount Kisco was recognized at the 46th Annual Awards Dinner, hosted by Westchester Municipal Planning Federation, for its intensive and robust outreach process that drove development of the Village's Comprehensive Plan and Form Based Overlay Zone.
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12 / 20 / 19
MOUNT KISCO ADOPTS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND FORM BASED OVERLAY ZONE
After a full year of outreach, public participation, and planning, the Village adopted documents providing a community-centric vision for the future of the Village and development of the Downtown Moger Lots.
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09 / 10 / 18
SHACHI PANDEY RE-ELECTED FOR A SECOND TERM ON THE APA-NYM CHAPTER EXECUTIVE BOARD
After serving two years as Treasurer of the APA-New York Metro Chapter, Shachi will transition into the role of VP of Intergovernmental Affairs, and facilitate dialogues between the Chapter and City, State and Federal agencies on current policy and planning issues. Congratulations Shachi!
09 / 05 / 18
08 / 02 / 18
5 BOROUGH STUDIO CONCLUDES ON A STRONG NOTE
Students of the LIC East teams presented the product of three rigorous months of design development to esteemed GSAPP faculty, the Long Island City Partnership and community stakeholders. Their proposals built on initial speculative scenarios and investigations of City-wide systems to develop new publicly-accessible urban places in the neighborhood’s industrial fabric. Shachi Pandey was honored to join a respected team of GSAPP faculty and guide students in their initial semester of the MSAUD program.
06 / 26 / 18
MUD JOINS THE FUTURE QUEENS DEVELOPMENT DIALOGUE
MUD Workshop participated in the public discussion hosted by Syracuse Architecture students, who used the ongoing Hudson Yards development as a case study in their design intervention approach for Sunnyside Yards in Queens. At Future Queens: Identity, Architecture, and Accountable Anti-Racist Development students presented preliminary site findings and ideas followed by presentations from a select group of industry professionals. Speakers shared their research on diverse identities in Queens manifested in demographics and architecture, and spoke to the potential impacts mass development can have on these assets. There was an urge to avoid treating urban sites as a blank slate and ‘decking over the rich fabric’ that is special and unique to this Borough.
06 / 25 / 18
CITY OF HOBOKEN ADOPTS ITS 2018 MASTER PLAN
MUD Workshop and BFJ Planning shared congratulations with the City of Hoboken as the 2018 Master Plan Reexamination Report and Land Use Element were unanimously adopted at a final public hearing June 25th.
06 / 13 / 18
MOUNT KISCO’S PUBLIC HEARING CONCLUDES A SERIES OF PLANNING AND DESIGN WORKSHOPS FOR THE VILLAGE’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
BFJ and MUD Workshop hosted a public hearing that followed a presentation of findings and draft strategies for the Village Comprehensive Plan. This town-hall style discussion and hearing concluded six months of outreach, community workshops and public surveys, which provide clear consensus for the future direction and vision for the Village of Mount Kisco. See presentation made by MUD Workshop and BFJ Planning.
06 / 11 / 18
CITIZENS PROVIDE COMMENTS ON THE HOBOKEN MASTER PLAN’S FINAL DRAFT AT THE CONCLUDING PUBLIC HEARING
A year of outreach and planning concluded on June 11th with a public hearing for the Draft Hoboken Master Plan. The Master Plan Committee and Planning Board deliberated on several strategies for topics including zoning, density, preservation and flood mitigation, and their far-reaching impact. The Planning Board will reconvene on June 25th after reflecting on comments received thus far and invite any final feedback.
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05 / 30 / 18
SHACHI PANDEY INVITED TO CO-TEACH THE 5 BOROUGH STUDIO AT GSAPP
The 5 Borough Studio kicked off on May 30th with 50 students from around the world who will begin their M.S. in Architecture and Urban Design degree by investigating the five boroughs of New York City. This introductory design studio will provide a framework for students to expand their design thinking using NYC as a laboratory and focuses on exploring urban issues, infrastructure systems and design solutions in five neighborhoods, one in each borough.
05 / 12 / 18
MOUNT KISCO WORKSHOP BRAINSTORMS DOWNTOWN PROGRAMMING AND SCALE
MUD Workshop and BFJ Planning engaged a full house of Village residents and stakeholders in this second Downtown design workshop to sketch ideas for activating store fronts and modeling the scale of new development for the Moger Lots. A key priority for all residents was to provide new public space, enhancing the outdoor experience in Downtown and provide a variety of programming that will cater to the diverse demographics of the Village.
05 / 10 / 18
PRATT GRAD STUDENTS RE-IMAGINE THE MASTER PLAN FOR WILLETS POINT DEVELOPMENT SITE
Shachi Pandey was honored to be part of a panel including private practitioners, academicians and public agency representatives who participated in a stimulating discussion with Pratt graduate students around their master plan for Willets Point. As the Willets Point Development regained momentum with fresh attention from developers earlier this year, students focused on a park- and community-centric vision for a place that has been handy real estate for Mayoral infrastructure projects and grandiosity; and which will be subject to radical changes in the near future.
05 / 03 / 18
COLUMBIA GRAD STUDENTS EXPLORE WATER URBANISM IN VARANASI: INDIA’S OLDEST WATERFRONT CITY
Shachi Pandey was honored to be invited as a guest critic and join a group of esteemed practitioners, professors and the Urban Design faculty at GSAPP for the Water Urbanism studio in Varanasi: a 5000 year old City by the banks of River Ganges. Throughout the semester students honed their understanding of water ecology and the City's traditional systems; economic, social, spatial, and power dynamics to envision alternative and resilient concepts that integrate ecology, community health and equity with urban systems.
04 / 11 / 18
MUD WORKSHOP AND BFJ FURTHER PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT FOR THE MOUNT KISCO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
During the third public workshop session in a series of five, residents, business owners, and stakeholders brainstormed in round tables on comprehensive plan elements; economic growth, transportation infrastructure, open space, and housing.
View preliminary findings on the comprehensive plan website developed by MUD Workshop.
04 / 10 / 18
INDUSTRY LEADERS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE IN ADVOCACY FOR OPEN SPACES AND PARKS IN NYC
MUD Workshop engaged in the fourth and final panel organized by New Yorkers for Parks, targeting open space value, design, development, policy, and financing in a series of 'open space dialogues'. This final panel brought together New York’s top researchers, practitioners and decision makers to focus on the challenges of zoning policy, financing, and the value of access for all citizens.
04 / 09 / 18
ENVISIONING BIP SEMINAR SERIES (3 OF 3) IMAGINES CUTTING EDGE DESIGN POSSIBILITIES FOR A CONTEMPORARY WATERFRONT PARK
MUD Workshop joined the third seminar for Envisioning Bushwick Inlet Park organized by Friends of Bushwick Inlet Park. A presentation by SCAPE followed by a lively conversation with invited panelists stimulated thinking on new ways to engage with the waterfront: programming that targets resiliency and flood protection, recreation, education, and ways to coexist with the river ecosystem were a few energizing ideas as the park approaches the design phase.
03 / 17 / 18
MUD WORKSHOP AND BFJ HOST THE FIRST DOWNTOWN DESIGN WORKSHOP: CONTEXT AND CONNECTIVITY IN MOUNT KISCO
Residents of the Village of Mount Kisco engaged in a Downtown Design Workshop focused on finding community based planning and design solutions to issues of walkability, potential development on the South Moger lots, and enhancing vibrancy at primary and secondary nodes within the Village. MUD Workshop and BFJ Planning will host three additional workshops spread out until the end of June to provide more opportunities for residents to plan their Village and their Downtown.
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03 / 05 / 18
ENVISIONING BIP SEMINAR SERIES (2 OF 3) EXPLORES APPLICATION OF COMMUNITY AGENCY AND NEIGHBORHOOD SUSTAINABILITY TO CREATE A UNIFIED VISION FOR THE NEEDS OF A MODERN PARK
MUD Workshop joined Brooklyn neighbors in the second seminar for Envisioning BIP (Bushwick Inlet Park)
organized by Friends of Bushwick Inlet Park. Landscape architects, elected officials and community leaders discussed methods to engage and empower community voices in the visioning process that can lead to a people’s park without physical, social, or political barriers.
03 / 01 / 18
PUBLIC WORKSHOP KICKS OFF THE MOUNT KISCO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY VISIONING
MUD Workshop and BFJ Planning kicked off public outreach for the Mount Kisco Comprehensive Plan with a public workshop that attracted a full house of Village residents, Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee and the Village Mayor. All attendees participated in reviewing past successes and current issues to set a vision and goals for the next two decades. The Mount Kisco Comprehensive Plan website developed by MUD Workshop will continue to provide updates during the plan development phase.
02 / 22 / 18
HOBOKEN IS: _________
RESIDENTS RESPOND TO MASTER PLAN THEMES AND RECOMMENDATIONS AT THE SECOND PUBLIC WORKSHOP
MUD Workshop is supporting BFJ Planning in the development of the Hoboken Master Plan Reexamination Report and has developed five Master Plan Themes reflecting the City’s character, community vision and priorities for the next decade. On February 22nd, Hoboken residents gathered to provide feedback on these themes and the recommendations that reinforce them. The team will now refine the master plan based on the public workshop and is gearing up to release a final draft by Summer 2018.
02 / 12 / 18
PANELISTS OUTLINE FINANCIAL AND POLICY PRACTICES FOR DESIGNERS’ USE TO IMPROVE DELIVERY OF OPEN SPACES TO NEIGHBORHOODS
On Monday, MUD Workshop attended the third of a four-panel series on the topic of Open Space Dialogues, organized by New Yorkers for Parks and WXY Architecture. This riveting segment concerned a “New Perspective in DELIVERY” of open spaces to our communities. Views on policy, techniques for acquiring funding, and the necessity of targeted programming in these spaces were discussed by some of New York’s top researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers.
02 / 10 / 18
NYIT STUDENTS ENGAGE BRADHURST RESIDENTS TO CREATE A TEMPORARY SIDEWALK INTERVENTION - ADVANCING LONG TERM COMMUNITY GOALS
MUD Workshop’s Eden McCafferty participated in the Interactive Design Experience community engagement event organized by NYIT’s Sketch 120 studio in conjunction with HCCI on Saturday. Students from NYIT worked with community members to sketch design-build ideas for a street side installation on one of the public realm sites identified in the Bradhurst Planning and Urban Design Framework being developed by MUD Workshop. This installation at the intersection of 153rd Street/Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard is expected to be completed in May.
01 / 24 / 18
ENVISIONING BIP SEMINAR SERIES (1 OF 3) SHEDS LIGHT ON CURRENT TRENDS FOR RESILIENT AND ENGAGING WATERFRONT GREEN SPACES
MUD Workshop attended Envisioning BIP (Bushwick Inlet Park) – A 21st Century Park for Greenpoint and Williamsburg, organized by Friends of Bushwick Inlet Park. This was the first of a series of community seminars for the development of Bushwick Inlet Park. Across panel discussions, presentations and Q&A, community and design leaders discussed the history, planning and design of this park facility and how to adapt the Greenpoint-Williamsburg Waterfront Master Plan principles in the current context a decade later; resiliency, equity and displacement were at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
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As a longtime resident of Williamsburg and young urban designer at EDAW | AECOM, Shachi Pandey of MUD Workshop was involved with the development of the Greenpoint Williamsburg Open Space Master Plan.
12 / 18 / 17
NYIT STUDENTS PRESENT RESILIENT NEW IDEAS FOR LIVING PATTERNS FOLLOWING RAPID POST-INDUSTRIAL URBANIZATION
Shachi Pandey joined NYIT faculty as a guest critic for final reviews of Studio Project New York: The Contemporary Metropolis After Relentless Urbanization - NYC EcoDistricts.
11 / 11 / 17
OPEN HOUSE LAUNCHES BENEFICIAL PROGRAMS TO ADVANCE THE BRADHURST COMMUNITY’S VISION
MUD Workshop joined the Open House NYIT + HCCI Building Resilient Communities to further recommendations of the Bradhurst Urban Design and Planning Framework through community and economic development programming.
10 / 14 / 17
EASTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2035 RECEIVES ACCOLADES FROM LEHIGH VALLEY AND PA STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS
MUD Workshop shared the 2017 Annual LVPC award with the City of Easton. The plan was also awarded certificates of special recognition for invaluable service to the community from the offices of Congressman Matt Cartwright and Senators Patrick M. Browne, Lisa Bascola and Mario Scavello.
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10 / 11 / 17
SHACHI PANDEY FACILITATES A PLATFORM ADVOCATING FOR ‘AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY IN THE SOUTH BRONX’ AMID NEW INVESTMENT
MUD Workshop along with the AIA Planning and Urban Design Committee organized the first of a three panel series focusing on new private investments, pressures on existing infrastructure, public realm and affordability in the Hunts Point, Mott Haven, Lower Concourse and Port Morris neighborhoods of the South Bronx. This first panel, which included participants from private practices, public agencies and academic institutes, addressed public realm networks and issues of equity, displacement, public waterfront access and navigating heavy transportation infrastructure in waterfront-facing neighborhoods of the South Bronx. Read more
07 / 01 / 17 –
08 / 01 / 17
SHACHI SELECTED WITH A GROUP INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS TO TEACH AT LASALLE SUMMER ACADEMY
Shachi Pandey was invited to teach at the 2017 LaSalle Summer Academy in Bogotá. Her course “Shaping Urban Environments” focused on understanding factors and stakeholders that shape the quality of shared urban spaces. Organized as a mini studio series, students participated in interdisciplinary workshops to plan and design urban places at various physical scales in Bogotá’s historic Candelaria district. International best practice case studies and guest lecturers representing diverse interest groups, built environment professions (architecture, urban
planning, landscape architecture, urban design, engineering, etc.) and clients informed the students about the design & development processes and consideration of different stakeholders.
