As Deputy Executive Director for Strategic Planning at the New York City Department of City Planning, Howard Slatkin oversees the Department’s divisions responsible for citywide and long-term planning and policy analysis. This team supplies data and analysis to inform planning activities and decision making, leads citywide zoning and land use initiatives, and coordinates citywide policy development with local planning initiatives and the activities of other agencies.
In this role, he has led recent citywide initiatives to advance housing supply and affordability, economic development, and access to opportunity. These projects include the adoption of Zoning for Quality and Affordability, a set of citywide changes to spur the creation of affordable housing and higher-quality buildings, and the adoption of a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing program. Howard has also led Department efforts to promote sustainability and climate resiliency, including Zone Green, a set of zoning amendments to promote green buildings, which won the American Planning Association’s 2012 national award for Excellence in Environmental Planning. He was the recipient of the 2015 Public Service Award from the New York City Citizens Housing and Planning Council. Howard received his Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in History from Brown University.