Public Works Partners will host “Community-Centered Solutions to Combatting the Urban Heat Island Effect” during NYC Climate Week on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the firm's Manhattan office.
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The panel will feature a distinguished lineup of environmental and sustainability leaders: Harrison Nesbit, Community Adaptation Program Manager at Groundwork Hudson Valley; Annel Hernandez, Lecturer at Columbia University's School of International & Public Affairs; Leo Bachinger, Bureau Chief at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; and Walter Rodríguez Meyer, Founding Principal of Local Office Landscape & Urban Design. The discussion will be moderated by Melissa S. Lee, CNU-A, WEDG, Principal of Community Health at Public Works Partners, who is recognized for her expertise in co-creating community-centered solutions.
This discussion underscores Public Works Partners' commitment to advancing equitable climate resilience. Operating at the intersection of urban planning and management consulting, the firm delivers data-driven, people-centered solutions to environmental challenges, ensuring that the neighborhoods most impacted are at the forefront of resilient change. “As climate change intensifies, extreme heat is no longer a distant concern – it's a pressing reality for New York City and beyond,” said Celeste Frye, AICP, CEO & Principal of Public Works Partners. “We are proud to host this conversation during Climate Week because the solutions must be as diverse and resilient as the communities they serve.”
Melissa S. Lee, CNU-A, WEDG, added, “Urban heat mitigation isn't just about cooling cities – it's about building equity into our climate strategies. By convening experts and community voices, we can spotlight innovative approaches that prioritize both resilience and justice.”
Together, the panelists and hosts will explore equitable, design-oriented, and community-driven strategies to reduce the heat burden on vulnerable neighborhoods, highlighting actionable pathways to advance both climate resilience and social equity.
About Public Works PartnersPublic Works Partners is an award-winning WBE/DBE-certified urban planning and management consultancy with offices in New York and Los Angeles. Since 2010 we've helped make 366 neighborhoods better, transforming how and where we gather, connect, and learn into vibrant, resilient communities. Bringing management consulting to the public sector, we've partnered with over 100 organizations in delivering breakthrough programs in community and economic development, education, health, workforce, and transportation. We create innovative, equitable solutions that strengthen communities, programs, places. For more information, visit www.publicworkspartners.com.
Media Contact:Moe MagaliPublic Works Partners347-619-2892 Ext 703pressinquiries@publicworkspartners.com
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SOURCE Public Works Partners LLC
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