This October, the Municipal Art Society will convene its first conference devoted to New York’s livability, examining the challenges the city faces in its seemingly contradictory roles as a growing global capital and as a city of unique neighborhoods.  More than 400 civic-minded New Yorkers and leaders in the fields of urban planning and design, housing, economics, and research and development will gather to discuss whether the many diverse corners of New York can retain a small town feel while facing significant increases in population.
Day One – Thursday, October 21
The Summit will begin by examining who lives in New York, what New Yorkers feel makes our diverse communities livable and where they think New York falls short. Then, the focus will shift to learning how real change is created on a grassroots level with civic participation. Finally, we will explore new media and how its proliferation is transforming the city’s development and growth in surprising ways.
Keynote:           The Big Idea – Livability
Panel:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Release of and Reaction to the MAS Survey on Livability
Panel:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Demographics in a Changing New York
Panel: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Civic Activism in the Spirit of Jane Jacobs
Panel: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Art Works
Panel:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â People Behind the Screens: Social Media and New York City Bloggers
Presentation: Â New Tools for Civic Engagement: Betaville
Evening Program
MASterworks Design Awards, sponsored by Helaba Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen – 6:00 p.m.
Day Two – Friday, October 22
Day Two of the Summit will examine new ideas on how leveraging private investment with public policy is driving the future of New York. Summit panels will address specific issues that are of vital importance to all New Yorkers including access to sustainable housing, preservation of manufacturing neighborhoods, recreation of transportation hubs, and access to public spaces and the arts.
Tours:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Morning Walk or Bike to the Summit (guided)
Keynote: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Public and Private Investment in a Livable City
Panel: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Moynihan Station and the Far West Side
Panel: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Garment District
Panel: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Sustainable Housing
Tours:               James A. Farley Post Office and “Ugly†Streets
Presentation: Â Â Yolanda Garcia Community Planner Award
Keynote: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Reclaiming the Public Realm
Panel:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Vibrant Neighborhoods
Keynote:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Closing Keynote