Vicki L. Been

Vicki L. Been is the Judge Edward Weinfeld Professor of Law at NYU School of Law and Faculty Co-Director of the Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy. She is also an Affiliated Professor of Public Policy at NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. Her roles include leading academic research on urban policy and housing, with a focus on land use, affordable housing, and equitable development. Been returned to NYU in 2022 after serving as Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development in New York City (2019–2021), where she oversaw projects like the creation of 200,000 homes and significant urban policy reforms.

Education: JD from NYU School of Law (1983), BS from Colorado State University (1978).

Research Interests: Affordable housing, land use regulation, smart growth, predatory lending, and the intersection of law and urban policy. Her work emphasizes equitable urban development and addressing systemic disparities in housing access.

Notable Achievements: Led the Furman Center to become a leading academic research hub, recognized with the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions in 2012 (via the Center).

Current Roles: Teaches courses on land use regulation and urban affairs. Directs NYU’s Furman Center, focusing on policy research for equitable housing solutions.