we are advancing the future of cities & housing, education & employment, and energy & environment.
THE FUTURE OF
CITIES & HOUSING
Cities will absorb nearly all of the world's population growth in the near term, with nearly five billion people — about 60% of the world's population — expected to live in cities by 2030. While urban centers continue to be drivers of innovation and economic growth, challenges around shifting labor habits, housing, climate change, migration, and strains on public sector finances risk disrupting the quality of life.
Limited housing has driven the median rent in New York City to nearly $4,000 in 2024 — an increase of 15% in two years. Today, nearly 50% of New Yorkers spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
From investments in new buildings, transportation, and infrastructure to sustainable development, resource management, crime, and crisis response, leaders in New York will need to embrace cross-sector collaboration to unlock the full potential of the future of cities and housing.
priorities
encourage investment in communities suited for new development
Launch a New Buildings Acceleration Team to expedite construction
champion a charter model for expanded affordable and supportive housing
THE FUTURE OF
EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT
As artificial intelligence and automation transform the workforce, the future of education and employment will be even more interconnected, blurring traditional boundaries between academic pursuits and workforce development.
At a time when educational attainment is ever more critical for adaptability, only half of children in New York State are proficient in reading. In New York City, the figure is even less, with about 40% of kids proficient in math or reading despite spending more than $25,000 per student – nearly double the national average.
To adequately equip students and lifelong learners, educational institutions at all levels will need to foster creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence while providing opportunities for continuous reskilling and upskilling throughout one's academic and professional career. Investments and reforms in early childhood and primary education are vital to providing high-quality education to families across socio-economic backgrounds. Higher education must embrace an industrial policy and evolve beyond the traditional four-year degree model, offering more flexible, modular learning pathways that allow students to stack credentials over time while working and training for areas with worker shortages, effectively democratizing access to education, enhancing social mobility, and ushering in employment opportunities.
priorities
Champion early childhood development and high-quality K-12 schools
Embrace an industrial policy for higher education
Support new models for workforce development and lifelong learning
THE FUTURE OF
energy & environment
The future of energy and the environment will be defined by an unprecedented investment in the green transition to a more sustainable world. Investments will scale the rapid adoption of renewable energy, smart grids, power storage, and low-carbon modes of transportation.
New York has a goal to achieve 70% renewable electricity by 2030, but currently relies heavily on natural gas, with only 27% of energy coming from renewables. When it comes to electric vehicle adoption, it trails other leading states by wide margins.
Leaders must make bold investments to keep climate commitments, scale innovations, and expand clean energy capacity for data centers, transportation, and housing. Communities must also recognize and reward the economic value of ecosystem services and biodiversity, unlocking vast resources to protect and restore nature across New York. With climate change and natural disasters already threatening food and water supplies and physical infrastructure, leaders must invest more in adaptation, including effective resource management, regenerative farming practices, circular systems, and resilient infrastructure.
