New Leadership at New York Department of City Planning

With a new mayoral administration comes new planning leadership in the Big Apple.

1 minute read

January 20, 2022, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New York City Politicians wears a mask at a New York subway station during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Eric Adams at a campaign stop in May 2021. | lev radin / Shutterstock

New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday announced two appointments to lead the Department of City Planning: Dan Garodnick as chair of the City Planning Commission (CPC) and director of the Department of City Planning (DCP) and Edith Hsu-Chen as the executive director of DCP.

Garodnick, a former city councilmember and, most recently, president and CEO of the Riverside Park Conservancy, takes over a job previously filled by Marissa Lago, who moved on to the Biden administration in September 2021.

Hsu-Chen, who has served as the DCP's Manhattan director since 2008 and has worked for the department since 1997, will oversee DCP staff and day-to-day operations.

An article by Kathryn Brenzel for The Real Deal provides more details about the appointments.

As reported in an article by Sally Goldenberg and Joe Anuta for Politico, the vetting process for the Adams administration's early appointments have been far from smooth. While less controversial than some of the new mayor's other appointments, the announcement of Garodnick and Hsu-Chen's new roles was marred by a mistake in the initial press release that named Hsu-Chen as the new director of City Planning.

Wednesday, January 19, 2022 in New York City

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Blue and white Seattle Link light rail train exiting concrete Downtown Bellevue Tunnel in Bellevue, WA.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?

Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

April 7, 2025 - Todd Litman

Two people on bikes in red painted bike lane with bus in traffic lane next to them.

Understanding Road Diets

An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.

April 17 - Momentum Magazine

Aerial view of large warehouses across from development of suburban single-family homes in Jurupa, California with desert mountains in background.

New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution

A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.

April 17 - Black Voice News

Purple Phoenix light rail train connected to overhead wires at sunset.

Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension

The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.

April 17 - Arizona Republic