Amanda Burden Closed Now

Early Life and Education

Amanda Burden was born in 1944 in New York City into a family deeply connected to design and architecture. Her stepfather was CBS founder William S. Paley, and her mother, Babe Paley, was a noted style icon. Burden attended Sarah Lawrence College and later obtained a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Columbia University.

Her early exposure to architecture and aesthetics shaped her approach to city planning—placing a high emphasis on design quality, public accessibility, and sustainable infrastructure.

Career Overview

Amanda Burden began her career in urban planning at the Battery Park City Authority in the late 1970s, where she was instrumental in shaping the design guidelines for the neighborhood’s redevelopment. Her vision integrated green spaces, waterfront access, and community-friendly amenities—long before sustainability became a global priority.

In 2002, she was appointed Director of the New York City Department of City Planning and Chair of the City Planning Commission under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. She held the position until 2013, overseeing a period of unprecedented rezoning, infrastructure renewal, and urban sustainability initiatives.

Philosophy and Approach to Sustainable Infrastructure

Burden believes that great cities are defined by their public spaces and that sustainable infrastructure is as much about community well-being as it is about environmental impact. Her planning philosophy revolves around:

1. Human-Centered Design – Infrastructure should be built for the people who use it, prioritizing walkability, accessibility, and green areas.

2. Mixed-Use Development – Encouraging spaces that combine residential, commercial, and recreational facilities to reduce commuting needs and support local economies.

3. Waterfront Revitalization – Transforming neglected industrial waterfronts into vibrant public spaces with ecological benefits.

Major Contributions and Projects

The High Line

Burden played a critical role in supporting the High Line, a former elevated freight rail line turned into a public park. She ensured the project had design excellence, green landscaping, and accessibility for all visitors.

Brooklyn Waterfront Redevelopment

She spearheaded zoning changes and design frameworks that transformed Brooklyn’s once-industrial waterfront into thriving residential and cultural districts with integrated flood protection and green infrastructure.

Public Plaza Program

Under her leadership, New York saw the creation of dozens of pedestrian plazas, bike lanes, and open spaces designed to encourage sustainable urban mobility.

Awards and Recognition

• Jane Jacobs Medal for Lifetime Leadership (2011)

• Design Patron Award from the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum

• Recognized by Forbes as one of the most influential women in urban development

Global Influence

Amanda Burden has advised international cities—including Singapore, Paris, and London—on integrating sustainability into urban growth. Her post-NYC work with Bloomberg Associates involves helping municipalities worldwide design better public spaces and resilient infrastructure systems.

Her influence also extends to academic institutions, where she lectures on urban sustainability, equity in infrastructure, and the role of design in environmental resilience.

Vision for the Future

Burden envisions cities where green spaces are within walking distance of every resident and where infrastructure doubles as climate adaptation tools—such as parks that also serve as stormwater management systems.

She advocates for embedding sustainability into city planning codes so that environmentally friendly infrastructure becomes a default requirement rather than an afterthought.