Press
For press inquiries or to arrange an interview with a member of the Urban Systems Lab, contact Associate Director Christopher Kennedy or Merrie Snead, Senior Manager in Communications and Community Affairs at The New School.
October 11, 2023
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence To Raise the Urban ‘Climate IQ’ - Urban Matters
October 3, 2023
NYC's broken flood mitigation strategy comes into focus at a critical time- Archinet
September 30, 2023
How do you prepare a city like New York for major floods? - Vox
September 19, 2023
$US5m grant to fund development of AI-driven climate risk intelligence tool - University of Melbourne
September 15, 2023
Melbourne startup Climasens bags $5 million Google.org grant for AI-driven climate risk tool - SmartCompany
AI-Driven Climate Risk Evaluation Tool Developed by Climasens and Urban Systems Lab - Clayton County Register
September 7, 2023
Exploring the urban ecosystem: A dialogue with Dr. Timon McPhearson on past, present, and future trends - Yale Environment Review
August 31, 2023
The New School’s Urban Systems Lab Launches Ocellus XR App for Visualizing Climate Risk in New York City - New School News
July 26, 2023
Many Milwaukeeans live in a heat island, and 'we can't air condition our way out of this' - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
May 1, 2023
Ron Johnson said climate change could be good for Wisconsin. Experts disagree. - Milwaukee Sentinal Journal
February 10, 2023
New York City Buildings Largely Missing Green Roof Mandate - ALM Globest
FebrUary 6, 2023
Many plans for green infrastructure risk leaving vulnerable people out - Science News
February 1, 2023
New tree plantings in NYC fall to lowest level in 15 years - Gothamist
December 28, 2022
Interactive map pinpoints Milwaukee areas most at risk for flooding, related health risks - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
December 1, 2022
To Be Equitable, US Urban Green Infrastructure Planning Must Transform - Cary Institute
November 3, 2022
Baseline Analysis of Green Roof Distribution in New York City Published in Peer-Reviewed Journal, Ecology & Society - The Nature Conservancy of New York
OCTOBER 26, 2022
Readout: OSTP, CEQ, and CPO Host Roundtables on Nature-based Solutions - The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
September 19, 2022
Trapped: Yonkers residents seek refuge from dangerous urban heat islands - Lohud
September 8, 2022
The NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice selects interdisciplinary research team co-led by The New School’s Urban Systems Lab to study climate vulnerability, impact and adaptation in New York City - NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice
August 10, 2022
Daniel Sauter, Claudia Tomateo and Joe Steele receives 2022 Independent Projects Grant - The Architecture League of New York
July 19, 2022
We’ve Surrendered the Subway to the Flood - Curbed & New York Magazine
JUNE 30, 2022
Award-Winning Map Shows Water-Related Environmental Justice Issues in New Jersey - New Jersey Future Blog
JUNE 22, 2022
Can Cities Survive Excess Heath? - Forbes
June 18, 2022
Black People Are More Likely To Die From Heat Stress Than White People In New York City, Report Says - The Seattle Medium
May 3, 2022
Shoring up Coastlines and Communities with Green Infrastructure - Grist
April 5, 2022
A Place for Fearless Progress featuring interviews with USL’s Timon McPhearson - The New School
March 16, 2022
How Green Spaces Protect City Residents From Climate Change - lx/NBC
February 22, 2022
Environmental justice and green infrastructure solutions with Urban Systems Lab - Amazon’s Fix This! Podcast
JANUARY 14, 2022
Researchers Propose New Definition For ‘Green Infrastructure’ - Water Environment Federation
January 6, 2022
Toward a more inclusive definition of green infrastructure - The Partnership for Water Sustainability
December 20, 2021
Above New York, a Giant Green Roof Tries to Reduce Carbon Footprint - Voice of America News
december 7, 2021
How Tree Planting can Seed Climate Resilience in Communities of Color - Energy News Network
November 19, 2021
The Affordable Housing Crisis Meets the Climate Crisis in New York - WNYC Radio Marketplace
October 19, 2021
New York City’s Subway System isn’t Ready for a Storm-filled Future - Popular Science
October 13, 2021
NYC Funded a Pilot to Make Basement Apartments Safer, But Then It Went Off Track - Next City
September 30, 2021
#47: Environmental Justice and Green Infrastructure Solutions with Urban Systems Lab - Fix This Podcast
september 3, 2021
How Ida Dodged NYC’s Flood Defenses - MIT Technology Review
September 2, 2021
New York’s Sewage System can’t Handle Extreme Weather - Crain’s New York Business
August 23, 2021
Heat Kills. This Underfunded Program Could Help - E&E News Greenwire
August 20, 2021
Why an East Harlem Street is 31 Degrees Hotter than Central Park West - New York Times
august 5, 2021
New Flood Maps are Coming. They won’t Look Pretty. - Spectrum News NY1
August 3, 2021
Green Infrastructure: Diversity in Perspectives and Applications - Future Cities Podcast
May 21, 2021
Feburary 23, 2021
Transforming Urban Systems: Toward Sustainability - American Association for the Advancement of Science Eureka Alert
December 9, 2020
September 4, 2020
NYC’s Trees: A Natural Defense Against Heat, But Not Equally Shared - Science Friday
September 2020
Public Transportation in Crisis - AIA Oculus Magazine
June 30, 2020
Injustice by Design: Confronting the Embedded Racism of America’s Cities - The Hill
june 29, 2020
Coronavirus and Extreme Heat Are ‘on a Collision Course’ as NYC Summer Begins - Curbed New York
June 25, 2020
Revel in the Grubby Wilderness: How to Spot Nature from Lockdown - The Guardian
May 29, 2020
NYC Parks Foresee Financial Losses at a Time when We Need Them the Most - Curbed New York
April 30, 2020
April 29, 2020
Making Science Actionable - Urban Omnibus
march 30, 2020
Green Roof Ecology – “In Conversation” with Timon McPhearson and Cecilia de Corral - The New School Collaboratory
march 11, 2020
Up on the Roof - Urban Omnibus
February 11, 2020
222 Scientists say Cascading Crises are the Biggest Threat to the Well-being of Future Generations - The Conversation
February 7, 2020
Climate Change Could Spark 'Global Systemic Crisis', Scientists Warn - Reuters
February 6, 2020
Humanity Under Threat from Perfect Storm of Crises – Study - The Guardian
January 7, 2020
ASU Ecologist Launches International effort to Improve Urban Resilience - Arizona State University News
Urban Systems Lab Receives Three Major Grants That Will Expand Research Opportunities for Graduate Students
The new school news, NOVEMBER 21, 2019
The Urban Systems Lab (USL) has received three major grants to promote research on sustainable urban systems and the sharing of knowledge on urban resilience with scientists, designers, and practitioners around the world. These awards will allow for new graduate fellowship opportunities and fund research in new areas.
New Network on Nature-Based Solutions for Cities
Stockholm resilience centre, November 13, 2019
Centre joins “Nature-based Solutions for Urban Resilience in the Anthropocene” network. Erik Andersson and Timon McPhearson are among the centre researchers who will benefit from being part of “Nature-based Solutions for Urban Resilience in the Anthropocene” (NATURA). This umbrella network bring together a host of other networks in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, North and Latin America. It is funded by the US National Science Foundation for US$2,000,000 for five years.
Championing Cities for the Climate
stockholm resilience centre, November 11, 2019
A state-of-the art review of urban data infrastructure reveals how cities can become powerful agents in the fight against climate change. Gathering climate relevant data from cities is no easy feat, not least because cities come in all shapes and sizes. In a comprehensive attempt to push forward the discourse on urban sustainability, researchers from institutions across the world have reviewed the current state of urban data science.
McPhearson brings climate warnings, scientific progress to Elon
today at elon, November 5, 2019
Timon McPhearson's lecture, "Urban Futures: Transforming Cities for Resilience and Sustainability," was presented by Elon College, the College of Arts & Sciences as part of the annual Voices of Discovery series.
Click here for the article on the Elon News Network.
USL Co-Leads the Nature-based Solutions for Urban Resilience in the Anthropocene (NATURA) Project
October 2019
The Urban Systems Lab was awarded a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to co-lead the Nature-based Solutions for Urban Resilience in the Anthropocene (NATURA) project. In partnership with Arizona State University the NATURA project links an initial 26 networks in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, North and Latin America, and globally to enhance connectivity among the world's scholars and practitioners and improve the prospects for global urban sustainability. The NATURA network will support the exchange of knowledge, data, and enhance communication among research disciplines and across the research-practice divide to advance urban resilience in the face of growing threats of extreme weather events. NATURA will be a platform for critical meetings, thematic working groups, regional nodes, and synthesis writing workshops, in addition to supporting early-career researchers, postdoctoral scholars and graduate students through learning exchanges to networks around the globe. To learn more visit https://natura-net.org/ and follow @natura-project
New York’s Original Teen-Age Climate Striker Welcomes a Global Movement
the new yorker magazine, September 21, 2019
Using nature to adapt to climate change
American Institute of biological sciences, may 29, 2019
Climate change poses major threats to people around the world. One important method for adapting to these changes may lie in the deployment of nature-based solutions in urban areas.
Warning: Climate change can harm your health
Science News For Students, May 2, 2019
Low-income people and vulnerable groups will be hit the hardest.
Professor Timon McPhearson Wins Two 2019 Ecological Society of America Awards
The New School News, april 22, 2019
Timon McPhearson, an associate professor of Urban Ecology and Director of the Urban Systems Lab, recently was awarded both the Sustainability Science Award and the Innovation in Sustainability Science Award by the Ecological Society of America. (ESA)
Green Roof Ecology Students Design Projects for NYC Urban Rooftops
The New School News, February 22, 2019
The orchid whisperers: Rare blooms find an urban perch
The Christian Science Monitor, February 14, 2019
Can planting endangered plants in urban settings help heal the disconnect between humans and nature? Conservationists in Miami are trying a fresh approach to both landscaping and saving native plants.
New Direction for Applying Urban Nature-Based Solutions
Natural capital project, january 22, 2019
Researchers reframe current approach to valuing urban nature for the improved health and well-being of city-dwellers.
Context is Key
Stockholm Resilience Centre, January 20, 2019
When it comes to efforts to improve health and well-being of city-dwellers, same approach can have varying effects in different areas and with different groups of people.
Mayor de Blasio, Lower Manhattan Leaders announce New $100 Million City Commitment to Coastal Resiliency
Office of the Mayor press release, August 27, 2015
The Urban Ecology Lab's Timon McPhearson is quoted in this recent press release by the Office of the Mayor, which introduced a $100 million commitment to help protect lower Manhattan from flooding. McPhearson emphasizes "Simultaneously improving the social, ecological and infrastructural integrity of our city is critical to increasing resilience to climate extremes and other disasters."
An Urban Ecologist confronts Climate Change
The New School News, August 19, 2015
For Timon McPhearson, the science couldn’t be clearer: More extreme weather events are on the horizon for New York City. The cause? Climate change. In this article, McPhearson introduces the Urban Resilience to Extremes Sustainability Research Network (UREx SRN), launched and co-led by the New School with the goal co-produce the knowledge needed to promote resilient, livable cities in a future that will look very different from today.
New Nine-City Resilience Network Seeks "Safe-to-Fail" Answers
Next City, August 18, 2015
The URExSRN project, one of three proposed networks selected this year for funding by the National Science Foundation, has two goals. The first is to help cities reconsider the social and environmental aspects of disaster response, in addition to the technical preparation. The second is to shift infrastructure from a design that’s fail-safe to one that’s safe to fail.
Researchers confront weather extremes through infrastructure resiliency
FIU News, August 1, 2015
Hurricanes, flooding, droughts, heat waves and other extreme events can cripple crucial infrastructure that enables transit, electricity, water and other services in urban areas. With these types of events becoming more common, it is increasingly important to develop infrastructure in different, more sustainable ways. The Urban Resilience to Extreme Weather-Related Events Sustainability Research Network (UREx SRN), a newly formed team of researchers, is addressing these challenges on an international scale.
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Resilient cities: from fail-safe to safe-to-fail
Arizona State University Website, July 21st 2015
Extreme weather events can cripple the infrastructure that enables transit, electricity, water and other crucial urban services. This leaves citizens cut off and in danger. Certain groups on a city, such as this of low socioeconomic status, are often disproportionally affected. The Urban Resilience to Extreme Weather-Related Events Sustainability Research Network (URExSRN) is a team of 50 researchers and practitioners from 15 different institutions that are leading a new project designed to face these challenges and change the way we think about urban infrastructure.
The Rat Paths of New York
New York Times Magazine, April 23, 2015
In his fascinating piece about how rats “get to where they’re going” in New York City, reporter Ryan Bradley interviews The New School’s own Timon McPhearson. A professor of urban ecology, McPhearson uses the subject of rats to open up a larger discussion on the benefits of building a connected city. “McPhearson’s fundamental point,” Bradley writes, “is that spaces where animals can move freely are good for people too.”
2015's Most & Least Eco-Friendly States
WalletHub, 2015
WalletHub author John S Kiernan interviewing Timon McPhearson about eco-friendliness at the household, government and global levels to determine the most and least eco-frinedly states across the U.S.
A Dissection of the New School Science Lab Open House
The New School Free Press, April 8, 2015
Associate Professor of Biology and Project Shepherd of the University Science Labs Katayoun Chamany coordinated a TNS Science Lab Open House on April 6 in recognition of the expanding spaces and curricular offerings in hands-on science that serve all students at the university.
Green Infrastructure saving major cities water, money and time
Digital Journal, February 17, 2015
Timon McPhearson on the benefits of building and expanding green infrastructure to help increase the adaptive capacity of cities
Where the Wild Things Are
Columbia Spectator, September 11, 2014
What differentiates an "urban" place form a "nonurban place"? How are green spaces in cities different from green spaces outside of cities? How can we optimize patterns of consumption to reduce environmental degradation?
"Resilience" gains strength as urban planning tool
CitiScope, June 17, 2014
The hottest buzzword in urban planning circles is “resilience.” Timon McPhearson, assistant professor of Urban Ecology at The New School’s Tishman Environment and Design Center in New York, writes on The Nature of Cities that global metropolises are strategizing to become more resilient.
Resilience lessons from unexpected places
Kresge Foundation, October 18, 2013
Lessons of resilience from cities like New Orleans and Detroit who encompass not just environmental sustainability, but also economic vitality, social cohesion and equity and inclusion in a full-spectrum conception of resilience.
Turning Vacant Lots from Eyesore to Opportunity
Planetizen, August 23, 2012
Vacant lots in American cities consume vast amounts of land, which many are noes recognizing as places of opportunity. Some cities and citizens are transforming once empty urban spaces into vibrant community-fostering places.
The chef's art: A new movement is turning meals and hospitality into a new art medium
Christian Science Monitor, December 21, 2011
Relational aesthetics refers to art in which meaning is created through social exchange and audience participation. For some artists, socially engaging art is an alternative means of education. Michael Cirino and chef Daniel Castaño, cofounders of "a razor, a shiny knife", a culinary performance group, recently collaborated with Timon McPhearson in a program called "New York Mudpies or A Taste of Climate Change: Urban Reforestation in NYC."
An Urban Forest in the Making
Urban Nature Blog, October 17, 2011
In October 2011, over 2000 trees of various species were planted by over 350 volunteers throughout the Clearview Park of Queens. As they grow, they will attempt to fight off the urban factors trying to keep them down. Hopefully, at least 70 percent will live to be enjoyed by generations to come.
From Construction Dump to Wilderness
Urban Nature Blog, October 17, 2011
One little piece of mulch and trash covered land in Brooklyn's Marine Park underwent the first stages of becoming a mini urban forest in October 2011.
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New School Students Plant 7,000 Trees
The New School Press Room, October 17, 2011
In October 2011, New School students helped plant more than 7,000 trees in a a multi-day city-wide forest restoration project organized by MillionTreesNYC, an initiative co-sponsored by the New York Restoration Project and the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.
Green for Green: ACIR Focused First Year on Sustainability
The New School Blog, July 18, 2011
Since it was created in November 2009, the The New School’s Advisory Committee on Investor Responsibility (ACIR) has made great strides in its mission to advocate for an investment portfolio that reflects values embraced by New School students, faculty, and staff.
Climate Activists Hit the Streets
The Nation, November 9, 2009
Timon McPhearson collaborating with author/environmentalist Bill McKibben and his organization 350, the Day of Action, on the citywide reforestation program called MillionTreesNYC.
January 7, 2020
New Schoo/ASU ecologists launches international effort to improve urban resilience →
NOVEMBER 21, 2019
Urban Systems Lab Receives Three Major Grants That Will Expand Research Opportunities for Graduate Students →
November 14, 2019
Championing cities for the climate: A state-of-the art review of urban data infrastructure reveals how cities can become powerful agents in fight against climate change →
New network on nature-based solutions for cities Centre joins “Nature-based Solutions for Urban Resilience in the Anthropocene” network →
November 5, 2019
Finding solutions: Timon McPhearson addresses Elon University →
Timon McPhearson brings climate warnings, scientific progress to Elon →
September 20, 2019
New York’s Original Teen-Age Climate Striker Welcomes a Global Movement →
May 29, 2019
Using nature to adapt to climate change →
MAY 2, 2019
Warning: Climate change can harm your health →
FEBRUARY 22, 2019
Green Roof Ecology Students Design Projects for NYC Urban Rooftops →
February 14, 2019
The orchid whisperers: Rare blooms find an urban perch →
January 30, 2019
Context is key: When it comes to efforts to improve health and well-being of citydwellers, same approach can have varying effects in different areas and with different groups of people →
January 11, 2019
New Direction for Applying Urban Nature-Based Solutions →