West 8 to join the Inaugural Class of Forefront Fellows 2016

The Urban Design Forum has announced the first-ever class of Forefront Fellows, including West 8’s New York Studio Director Daniel Vasini. Forefront is a new initiative dedicated to promoting the next generation of urban leaders. Over the next nine months, 22 professionals under the age of 40 will gather monthly, share work, and debate critical issues facing New York City.

The Urban Design Forum reviewed nearly 100 applications to select 22 practitioners and scholars working in fields as diverse as public health, resilient design, and civic tech. West 8’s Daniel Vasini who has led internationally recognized projects, shifting scales from strategic master plans to transformative park designs and the creation of iconic public spaces, is delighted to be among those selected.

This year, Forefront Fellows will gather for roundtables and site visits organized around the theme “Urban Experience Design.” Beginning in May, participants will investigate how new civic technologies are transforming the management and experience of the public realm. Fellows will evaluate new sensing, surveillance, spatial analysis, and crowdfunding technologies with innovators in the field.

At the end of the year, Fellows will co-author a publication that explores how new technology can empower designers, planners, developers and civic leaders to build more dynamic, equitable and resilient cities.

With over 400 Fellows, including West 8’s Jamie Maslyn Larson, The Urban Design Forum has shaped the conversation around the design of New York City and cities around the world for the past 35 years.

Their membership comprises leading developers, architects, planners, builders, public officials, scholars, lawyers, and journalists that have demonstrated a commitment to building great cities. Headquartered in New York, Fellows of the Forum hail from over fifty cities across the United States and around the world.

To see the full list of Forefront Fellows for 2016 click here