Past Events

This one-day conference serves as a “rapid response” to the migrant “crisis” unfolding in New York City. It brings together a diverse array of academics, experts, activists, urban stakeholders, and individuals with personal experiences and knowledge to help us better understand the current dynamics of immigrants arriving in New York City. The conference will particularly focus on questions related to the built environment and the experiences and rights of immigrants and asylum seekers in accessing housing and claiming space within the city.

Please use this registration form to let us know that you are joining in person. The event will also be live-streamed on the  Columbia GSAPP YouTube channel. 

Conference Schedule: 

Introduction – 10:00–10:15am
Hiba Bou Akar, Columbia University

Panel One – 10:15am–12:00pm
Urban History of Immigrant “Crises” in NYC
Nara Milanich, Barnard College
Lori Flores, Stony Brook University
A.K. Sandoval-Strausz, Penn State
Cinthya Santos- Briones, Artist
Nermeen Aratsu, CUNY Law

Lunch – 12:00–1:30pm

Panel Two – 1:30–3:15pm
Formal and Informal Systems of Support and Care
Ryan Devlin, Temple University
Deborah Berkman, New York Legal Assistance Group
Nathaly Rubio-Torio, Voces Latinas
Sophie Kouyate, African Communities Together
Murad Awawdah, New York Immigration Coalition

Coffee Break – 3:15–3:45pm

Panel Three – 3:45–5:30pm
Housing Question and the Right to Shelter
Christian Siener, Barnard College
Joshua Goldfein, Legal Aid
Sara Muñoz Cruz, NYC Housing Activist
Amir Khafagy, Documented NY

Sessions moderated by masters and doctoral students from Columbia University’s Urban Planning Program at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and the Institute for the Study of Human Rights.