About

Our Mission:

The Pratt Center for Community Development works for a more just, equitable, and sustainable city for all New Yorkers, by empowering communities to plan for and realize their futures.

As part of Pratt Institute, we leverage professional skills - especially planning, architecture and public policy - to support community-based organizations in their efforts to improve neighborhood quality of life, attack the causes of poverty and inequality, and advance sustainable development.

The Center was founded at the birth of the community development movement, as the first university-based advocacy planning and design center in the U.S. For over 40 years, we have helped community groups to revitalize their neighborhoods, create and preserve affordable housing, build childcare and community centers, and improve their environment. We have trained hundreds of community leaders and organizations to implement effective community development strategies, and supported a wide array of successful public policy and community planning efforts.

How We Work:

In pursuit of our mission, the Pratt Center works to advance the following strategic initiatives:

Helping Communities Build
We help community-based organizations representing low-income communities build physical development projects that address unmet needs and leverage innovation and change.

Planning for Equity
We work to ensure that low-income communities get a fair share of the benefits of physical and economic development, and are not burdened with a disproportionate share of the costs.

Promoting Sustainability and Environmental Justice
We support and advance grassroots organizations and movements that push the New York City region toward environmental sustainability and equity.