City Environmental Quality Review and Building Design in NYC

*This event is occurring as a live webinar. Registrants will be emailed a link to access the program.*

City Environmental Quality Review, Land Development & Building Design in New York City

Land development in New York City involves an “alphabet soup” of acronyms. Two, in particular, surface often: CEQR and ULURP. But what exactly is the architect’s relationship with these complex, often timely, processes? This course will provide an overview of City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) and its influence on building design. We will begin with a brief exploration of the rise of the 20^th-century environmental movement in the United States and the subsequent environmental regulations implemented at the federal, state, and local levels. Next, we will outline the CEQR and Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), beginning with the discretionary actions that trigger these requirements. Finally, using real-world examples of development projects in New York, we will discover how CEQR can influence the design and construction of buildings. By the discussion’s end, we will reflect on the environmental benefits gained from CEQR and better appreciate how architects and planners use the process to create healthier, more livable neighborhoods.  

Course Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will:

• Comprehend the City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) and Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) processes
• Understand the technical analyses involved in CEQR
• Identify the architect’s relationship with the CEQR process
• Understand CEQR’s influence on land development and building design in New York City

Speaker:
Michael Keane, AICP, Cameron Engineering & Associates

Michael Keane, AICP, is an urban planner with 14+ years of professional experience in New York City, the Metropolitan area, and internationally. His focus areas include land use, zoning, and environmental planning to support the use and development of land. Keane has been responsible for managing complex environmental assessment and impact statements for actions subject to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), the City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR), and the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). In this capacity, he routinely helps clients navigate regulatory approvals processes at the state and local level. Keane has also managed or collaborated on the preparation and adoption of municipal master plans, ranging from large- and mid-size cities to suburban towns and villages. In addition to his role at Cameron Engineering & Associates, Keane has been an Adjunct Professor at New York University since 2012, where he has served as faculty advisor on more than 20 Master of Urban Planning Capstone projects.