Rebecca Macklis

Rebecca Macklis is a multidisciplinary urban designer serving as Senior Manager of Strategic Initiatives at The Municipal Art Society of New York and an Adjunct Professor. Previously, she held roles as Director of Urban Design & Strategy at the New York City Public Design Commission and Urban Design Forum Forefront Fellow. She is affiliated with the Mellon Foundation’s Monuments Project Cities Network as a consultant, Urban Design Forum’s Forefront Fund Advisory Committee, and mentors through ARCscholars.

Education:

• BA in Architecture and Anthropology (with a minor in American Culture Studies), Washington University in St. Louis, 2012
• Master of Architecture in Urban Design, Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London

Research Interests: Macklis focuses on urban design strategies addressing climate resilience, public health equity, and affordable housing provision. She explores the intersection of design, policy, and interagency collaboration to shape equitable urban systems. Her work emphasizes climate justice, housing accessibility, and innovative approaches to public space creation, such as prefabrication and mixed-use project delivery.

Awards & Recognition: Her book Designing New York: Quality Affordable Housing earned an AIA citation for design excellence. She is a 2024 Award for Distinction recipient and was shortlisted for Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas. Her research on extreme heat risks advanced climate justice frameworks.

Advising & Grants: Macklis advises through mentorship programs like ARCscholars. Her grants and fellowships include the Urban Design Forum Forefront Fellowship (Turning the Heat initiative). She collaborates with the Mellon Foundation and Urban Design Forum on policy-driven urban projects.

Labs & Teams: She leads cross-sector initiatives at the Municipal Art Society and Public Design Commission. Her work integrates academic research with practical urban advocacy, including lab-like collaborations on projects like Women-Designed NYC and Prefabrication in the Public Realm.