Radical Optimism – Exploring the Next Generation of Urban Infrastructure

The annual PlanScapeArch Symposium is a unique collaboration among New York City’s three allied design professional associations: APANY Metro (Plan), ASLA-NY (Scape), and AIA New York (Arch)

Over the course of one intensive day, the symposium brings together leading voices from across planning, landscape architecture, and architecture. Through compelling keynote presentations and a series of focused panel discussions, participants will explore a shared theme from multiple professional perspectives.

The program typically convenes thought leaders, practitioners, and policymakers for a dynamic exchange on the ideas shaping our built and natural environments. Attendees will gain fresh insights, engage in meaningful cross-disciplinary dialogue, and earn 6 continuing education (CES) credits, approved by each profession’s accreditation board.

Whether you are a planner, landscape architect, architect, policymaker, or allied professional, Radical Optimism – Exploring the Next Generation of Urban Infrastructure offers a rare opportunity to step beyond disciplinary boundaries to join a vital conversation about the future of our cities.

This year’s theme is grounded in a clear position: this is not about imagining better cities, but about designing the financial, civic, and operational systems that make them possible—and durable.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Opening Keynote: Mitchell Joachim, Terreform 1
• Closing Keynote: Paul Goldberger, Vanity Fair/The New York Times/The New Yorker
• Moderator: James Bennett, NYC EDC
• Moderator: Brad Hargreaves, Thesis Driven
• Moderator: Shachi Pandey, MUD Workshop
• Panelist: Molly Bourne, MNLA
• Panelist: Adam Friedberg, Buro Happold
• Panelist: Casey Gorrell, NYC DOT
• Panelist: Tim Marshall, ETM Associates
• Panelist: Aida Stoddard, MAG Partners
• Panelist: Claire Weisz, WXY Architecture

Many thanks to this program’s generous sponsors:
Chaos and Kimley-Horn