we are advancing the future of the built environment, education & employment,
and Democracy & Government.
THE FUTURE OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMeNT
Address affordability by investing in housing, energy, and infrastructure.
​The Future of the Built Environment will shape how people live, work, and move in cities, which will be home to about 60% of the world’s population by 2030. While cities remain engines of economic growth and innovation, they are also under increasing strain from housing shortages, climate change, aging infrastructure, and tightening public sector finances.
In New York City, these pressures are already visible. Median rents have climbed to nearly $4,000, and almost half of residents are housing cost–burdened. To meet demand and bring down costs, the city must add 500,000–800,000 new homes over the next decade. At the same time, energy costs are rising while additional electricity demand is straining outdated grids. State and local targets for renewable energy deployment and reductions in building emissions will be missed in the near term and require significantly more investment to be achievable.
Coordination among government, business, and civil society is necessary to scale investments in housing, decarbonization, and technology infrastructure. From constructing affordable, resilient housing near mass transit to scaling renewable energy alongside data centers and research facilities, leaders must pursue integrated solutions that align growth with economic and environmental sustainability.
priorities
Launch Sustainable Improvement Districts (SIDs) in New York City to embrace community-based climate action.
Scale C-PACE programs to invest in retrofits, reduce energy costs and building emissions, and create jobs.
Identify upzoning opportunities around mass transit where New York City can develop new housing.
Advance the Technology, Energy, Research, and Robotics Accelerator (TERRA) in Upstate New York.
THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT
Expand economic opportunity by improving education and workforce development.
​As artificial intelligence and automation transform the workforce, The Future of Education & Employment will be even more interconnected, blurring traditional boundaries between academic pursuits and workforce development. 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 academic and professional careers.
At a time when educational attainment is ever more critical for adaptability, only half of New York City students are proficient in math and reading. This is despite an investment of more than $42,000 per student — double the national average and three times that of Florida, which has similar academic outcomes. Leaders must take a hard look at the NYC Department of Education’s $42 billion annual budget, identify areas where investments are not serving students effectively, and reallocate those funds to proven interventions, including early childhood education, tutoring, and additional support for high-need communities.
Higher education should adopt an industrial policy that offers more flexible, modular learning pathways, allowing students to accumulate credentials over time while working and training in areas with labor shortages. In workforce development, new financial models can significantly scale programs and ensure upfront costs do not deter participants. This approach can help democratize access to lifelong education, enhance social mobility, and usher in new economic opportunities for New Yorkers.
priorities
Target 2% savings in the NYC Department of Education budget and redirect resources to support early childhood education, high-impact tutors, and high-need communities.
Champion reforms in K-12 and higher education, including high-performing public charter schools, vocational training, and innovative pilot programs.
Scale workforce development and lifelong learning models, including new forms of financing for training and apprenticeships and support for the Good Jobs Guarantee Act in Albany.
THE FUTURE OF democracy & government
Improve government by increasing civic engagement, state capacity, and efficiency.
The Future of Democracy & Government will be shaped by how effectively the public sector modernizes its institutions to regain trust, increase civic participation, and deliver better services. In New York, rising expectations for transparency, accessibility, and accountability necessitate bold reform and the adoption of new tools to strengthen democracy and enhance public sector performance.
Civic engagement remains low, with only a small fraction of eligible voters casting ballots in local elections. Closed primaries and outdated voting systems continue to exclude large swaths of the electorate. To reinvigorate democracy and encourage voter participation, New York should embrace reforms, including mobile voting and open primaries. Additionally, educational content can help demystify local and state government, promoting a deeper understanding and increased voter engagement.
At the same time, the state and city face mounting budget pressures and public dissatisfaction with service delivery — from construction permits to benefits processing to public transit. Investments in the professional development of public sector employees can help advance transformational management and the adoption of modern technologies, enabling government leaders to reduce costs, increase responsiveness, and improve outcomes.
priorities
Develop an Innovation Fellowship to advance change management and technology adoption with city employees.
Create an educational content platform to increase civic engagement and understanding of city and state government.
Support reforms to improve voter turnout, including open primaries, same-day voter registration, employer engagement, and mobile voting pilots.
