2019 Summit for New York City

Event

Fight for Light

The annual MAS Summit for New York City returns on Friday, October 25. Now in its tenth year, our signature conference connects a diverse audience of policy-makers, industry leaders, and engaged citizens in a daylong dialogue about the most important issues affecting New York and other global urban centers.

The 2019 Summit, Fight for Light, will explore the economic, environmental, social, and public health impacts of light and air in urban neighborhoods. This year’s Summit is a component of a larger citywide initiative in partnership with New Yorkers for Parks (NY4P) that seeks stronger protections for the natural resources that are essential to an equitable city and the health and happiness of city dwellers.

Are you a student or a member of a nonprofit or community organization?
A limited number of complimentary and reduced rate tickets are available. To request student, nonprofit, or community partner tickets, please email community@mas.org.

 

Friday, October 25
8:00 AM — 7:00 PM

The New York Academy of Medicine
1216 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10029

Tickets:
Member: $100
Non-member: $125

Buy Tickets
logo for the 2019 Summit
Hudson River Park photo by Giles Ashford.

A full schedule of sessions will be released in early September built around the following panel discussion themes:

Bright Ideas: Planning

How can light and air be integrated into zoning regulations, planning tools, and incentives to maximize the use of parks, plazas, and open spaces? We will look at ways in which New York City can prioritize light and facilitate sustainable development for years to come.

Bright Ideas: Design

What roles do architecture and design play in the vitality of the public realm? We will examine the form, materiality, and sustainability of the built environment in relation to light and shadow.

Bright Ideas: Health

What impact does light in the public realm have on our health? We will explore how physical, mental, and societal health is shaped by access to quality open space.

Bright Ideas: Ecology

How does our manipulation of sunlight through the built environment affect the ecology of our natural environment? We will consider how best to balance development goals with light-dependent conservation and resiliency priorities.

 

Questions?

We’re here to help! Contact us at summit@mas.org.

  • suggestion cards on a wall at the 2018 Summit
    Ideas for the City Council Charter Revision Commission at the 2018 Summit
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  • Chuck Schumer and Cory Booker on stage at the Summit
    United States Senators Chuck Schumer and Cory Booker discussing critical infrastructure needs at the 2015 Summit
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  • Poet Jared Green performs on stage at the Summit
    Spoken word poet Jared Green at the 2015 Summit
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  • Janette Sadik-Khan speaking at the 2013 Summit
    Former Commissioner of the NYC Department of Transportation Janette Sadik-Khan speaking at the 2013 Summit
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  • Poet Alyssa Saunders on stage at the Summit
    Spoken word poet Alyssa Saunders performing at the 2015 Summit
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  • a woman wears virtual reality goggles at the Summit
    Virtual Reality tour by Monument Lab, featured in the Innovation Exhibition at the 2018 Summit
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  • Carol Coletta and Alicia Glen on stage at Summit
    Carol Coletta, then-Vice President of Knight Foundation, and NYC Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen discussing ways to promote equitable, inclusive cities at the 2015 Summit
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  • Battery Dance Company performing at the 2012 Summit
    Battery Dance Company performing at the 2012 Summit
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  • Darren Walker speaking at the 2013 Summit
    Darren Walker, President of Ford Foundation, speaking at the 2013 Summit
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  • Musicians perform on stage at the Summit
    Musicians performing an excerpt from the musical "A Marvelous Order", inspired by legendary urban activist Jane Jacobs, at the 2015 Summit
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  • attendees drink and talk at a party after the Summit
    Debriefing over drinks at the 2015 Summit
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Select Past Summit Speakers

Hon. Cory Booker
Santiago Calatrava
Roz Chast
David Childs
Vinson Cunningham
Justin Davidson
Dan Doctoroff
Susannah C. Drake
Helena Rose Durst
Ingrid Gould Ellen
Norman Foster
Alicia Glen
Adam Gopnik
Michael Kimmelman
Hon. Corey Johnson
Fran Lebowitz
Gil Penalosa
Damon Rich
Judith Rodin
Janette Sadik-Khan
Hon. Charles E. Schumer
Richard Sennett

Supporters

Fight for Light is a campaign jointly led by the Municipal Art Society of New York and New Yorkers for Parks that seeks stronger protections for the natural resources that are essential to an equitable city and the health and happiness of city dwellers.

Campaign Partners
Supporters
  • logo for the New York City Department Cultural Affairs
  • logo for the Lagunitas Brewing Company
Organizational Support
  • logo for the organization Archtober
  • logo for the Museum of the City of New York

Become a member to enjoy discounts to events and tours.

Learn about membership
Auditorium of people at Summit for New York City
2011

Founding the Summit for New York City

MAS hosts its first Summit, an annual symposium that connects policy-makers, industry leaders, and engaged citizens in a dialogue about contemporary civic issues.

View Our Full History