Levi Wolf presented his talk entitled “Finding the Fault Lines: Estimating the Boundaries in urban Social-Spatial Inequality” on November 19 which rethinks the boundaries between a place, the geographic system which regions, neighborhoods, and homes are studied within, and a space, the geographic entities constructed by distinctiveness. Wolf argues that instead of acting as naturalistic divisions of urban life, the social fabric defines a community’s boundaries. “Social Frontiers” and contested boundaries have the tendency to arise in this scenario because according to Wolf, neighborhoods are not the same as communities. One of the concepts he discussed was known as “Wombling” which uses a known outcome to examine anomalous but adjacent predictions in a multi-level generalized linear model (GLM). For example, this could mean finding boundaries between neighborhoods using different model’s of crime prediction. Wolf criticizes this concept of overlooking why outputs are related to inputs in that it fails to define the conflict between whom and why. In his view, there should be a way to study this without naming a “place” specifically.

IdeasCity, the New Museum’s initiative that explores art and culture beyond the walls NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore and the New Museum announce a collaboration for the Centre’s platform to catalyze the exchange of ideas and encourage thinking outside the box. An Open Call for IdeasCity Singapore, a weeklong residency and public program series for emerging practitioners from Singapore, Southeast Asia and across the globe is going on right now.

The Residency Program runs from February 15–23, 2020, and focuses on the notion of solidarity with nature—exploring bonds and connections between the built environment, natural world, and social movements. Applicants from all professional, educational, and cultural backgrounds who consider their work to intersect with the theme are encouraged to apply. The 20-30 selected Residency Program Fellows will receive a $500 USD stipend, meals, and accommodation if traveling from outside Singapore.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until Monday December 9, 2019. More details and the link to the submission portal can be found here.

Where are you from?
Whitehouse Station, Nj (but was born in Canada? it’s complicated)

Where did you study for your undergraduate degree? What was your major?
Double majors in economics and urban studies, minor in architecture design

Do you have any professional experiences?
3 internships; community investment intern at the federal home loan bank, economic development intern urban redevelopment intern, and finance intern at the housing authority of the city of Pittsburgh.

Why did you choose to study at Columbia University?
I wanted an urban planning education that had a heavy focus on design without actually being an architect/urban designer. I also appreciated the understanding that urban planners don’t work exclusively for the city/local government anymore

What is your interest within the urban planning field?
The built environment and public/private partnerships, sustainable and equitable design

What’s your favorite city you’ve ever visited? and why?
Krakow, Poland – cheap food and castles

Been anywhere recently for the first time?
Louisville, Kentucky for the Kentucky Derby, and Joshua Tree, CA

Do you have any hidden talents?
I can make a mean banh mi or vermicelli bowl

Where are you from?
Oakland, CA

What and where did you study for your undergraduate?
Public Policy, NYU

Why did you choose to study at Columbia University?
I love New York - it’s the greatest city in the world! Also, gossip girl!

What has been your favorite urban planning class so far and why?
My studio: Madrid Future Cities Lab - a lot of work and stress but I learned more skills than I could have ever imagined, one of which was hot to drink piping hot coffee in a matter of seconds!

What is your interest within the urban planning field?
urbanism in african cities, housing, spatial justice & forms of urban citizenship

What is one advice that you have for the first-years?
Take classes outside of planning and GSAPP if you can. There is so much interdisciplinary knowledge to be learned that will help facilitate and even ground your planning interests.

What is your favorite spot in New York City?
my apartment!

Tell me something that most people don’t know about you.
I consider Oprah Winfrey a close friend!

“Hindsight Conference: Urban Planning Through the Equity Lens,” Friday, December 6, New York City College of Technology, 285 Jay St, Brooklyn.
The Hindsight Conference is an all-day conference in New York City on urban planning through an equity lens. Hindsight Conference 2019 is themed Erasure, Remembrance, and Healing. The conference will consist of workshops, performances, panels, and a walking tour, all of which will challenge attendees to reflect upon how our narratives shape our built environment. For more information please email Hindsight Conference

“Renzo Piano: Designing an Inclusive City,” Wednesday, December 11, The Forum 601 W 125th St.
Renzo Piano, the Pritzker Prize-winning architect behind the first new buildings on Columbia’s Manhattanville campus, will reflect on the role of architecture in creating more inclusive cities. Speaking at the Forum, one of his three Manhattanville buildings, he will discuss how architecture can create more open, permeable neighborhoods, provide arenas for cross-cutting exchanges and opportunities, and enrich civic life. Offering contemplations on democracy and participation alongside examples of his work, Piano will discuss how architecture can address particular needs, while also pointing toward models of thinking and doing that are more generalizable and dynamic. More info

“Fine Arts Visiting Artists Lecture Series: Ibrahim Mahama,” Tuesday, January 28, 2020, Higgins Hall Auditorium, Pratt - Brooklyn Campus.
Ibrahim Mahama (b.1987) in Tamale Ghana is an artist who lives and works in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale, Ghana. He started his practice through his interest in the history of materials and architecture. Failure and delay through specific forms always inform his choice of sites which believes the works do not only occupy but are also occupied within the works/objects. Residues and points of chaos registered as marks within the forms he selects, they present us alternative perspectives of looking into the materials/Labour conditions of society.
Each year Pratt Fine Arts invites contemporary artists to campus for a public lecture and to conduct studio visits with fine arts graduate students. This Visiting Artists Lecture Series (VALS) is coordinated by graduate student leaders. The aim is to provide our students with exposure to a wide array of artists working in a variety of fields at various stages in their career. More Info