February Forum: Building in Flood Zones

It's been three months since Sandy hit NYC and the surrounding area, and it's still very much a topic of conversation. Relief efforts continue and many are examining how we can improve our ability to withstand another similiar weather event. In our February forum we'll take a look at this issue by examining what work is being done now, what could be done in the future, and learning about a flood insurance report prepared for the Mayor's Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability that has much to teach about NYC flood zones. It's sure to be an interesting forum and we hope you'll join us for it!

This forum is free and open to the public!

Date: Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Place: Trespa Design Center, 62 Greene St., Manhattan, NY 10012

Click here to RSVP!

Our speakers will include:
Bios will be posted as they become avaiable!

Albert Wei of Kohn Pedersen Fox
Albert Wei provides global practice leadership in sustainability and urban masterplanning at Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, applying over 15 years of experience in urban design and planning, sustainability consultancy, property development, planning and design for climate change resilience and adaptation, and infrastructure planning.

Mr. Wei joined KPF in 2011 as global sustainability practice leader and senior masterplanner. He leads KPF's sustainability team and has led masterplanning and urban design projects for the firm in the United States, Canada, China, and throughout Asia. In addition, Mr. Wei oversees research initiatives in sustainability, urbanism, and climate change resilience and adaptation in the built environment.

Julia Ragragio Ruiz of Columbia University, Sustainability Management Program
Julia Ragragio Ruiz has over ten years of experience in the architecture industry. Her passion for a sustainable built environment is reflected in her work and studies; before taking her Master's degree in Sustainability Management at Columbia University, she was working as a project architect in an established architecture firm, on LEED certified buildings in NYC. She was one of the first in her firm to get her LEED AP in 2008, and is currently designing a sustainability coordination program in her firm. At Columbia, she designed her own research project on a sustainable wastewater technology and its feasibility in NYC, which was presented at the Earth Institute Research showcase and at an ASHRAE-sponsored building conference. She was the Deputy Project Manager for a capstone project on flood resilience and climate change, which will be presented in this monthly forum.

Lance Jay Brown of Lance Jay Brown Architecture + Urban Design
Lance Jay Brown, FAIA, DPACSA is an architect, urban designer, educator and author. He is an ACSA Distinguished Professor in the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture at the City College of New York and 2014 President‐Elect of the AIA New York Chapter. He has served as assistant director of the Design Arts Program at the NEA and advisor to the WTC Site 9/11 International Memorial Design Competition. His numerous awards include: NY State AIA President’s Award for Excellence in Non‐traditional Architecture and AIA/ACSA Topaz Medallion for Excellence in Architectural Education. He is on the board of the AIA NY Chapter and co‐chairs the AIA Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee. Publications include: Urban Design for an Urban Century: Placemaking for People (2009), Learning from Lower Manhattan (2004), his co-edited book Beyond Zuccotti Park: Freedom of Assembly and the Occupation of Public Space available I September 2012, and his co-authored book The Legacy Project: Via Verde, fall 2012