The holiday season is upon us: a time for gathering together, giving thanks, extending help to those in need, and showing our appreciation for loved ones near and far.

Van Alen strives to be at the vanguard of fresh design concepts and innovation that addresses the challenges our cities face. Autumn brings a shift in focus and a chance to hone and refine the ideas that have grown over the summer, turning blue-sky thinking into applied solutions

Some design projects ask the designer to prepare for future scenarios. Others tackle an issue that's been right in front of us for decades. All require imagination and the ability to consider old problems with renewed strategic vision. This summer, Van Alen has continued to cultivate fresh thinking and bring in-depth experience to the broad range of design challenges that cities face today.

While students and educators wrapped up the formal academic year, Van Alen kicked off the season with programs for learners of all kinds. During the Van Alen Spring Festival 2018: FLOW, Getting Around the Changing City, we brought together designers, urban planners, activists, architects, performers, and other professionals to ride, walk, build, and talk about the ways New York City is evolving, and how mobility options must adapt to its changing needs.

Working from outside in: Both at home and abroad, Van Alen Institute brings design minds together around some of the biggest challenges facing our natural and urban environments. In May, we convened experts and engaged with community members near and far to address key questions about the role of design in urban well-being and climate adaptation. In June, we're looking forward to our annual Spring Festival, and several exciting competitions projects that are currently in development.

We’re spinning! This April, Van Alen has been talking transportation in the city and stepping out on the town. We are thrilled that over 800 people came out to beautiful Industry City on April 12th for our annual Spring Party. Thanks to all of you for supporting Van Alen’s research, design competitions, and public programming while shaking off the cold with Filipino-style feasting and late night dancing.

In the United States this time of year, “March Madness” runs through our culture like a flash flood in a desert. Our enthusiasm for college basketball blooms (and fades) quickly, revealing team loyalties and igniting low stakes “brackets” in offices across the nation. At Van Alen we wonder, would it be possible to spark this kind of public excitement around other kinds of national competitions? Such as those that improve the built environment and help cities adapt to changes in their populations and climate?

Here, there, and everywhere: New findings about the complex relationship between human wellbeing and nature in the built environment. New ideas to address complex urban housing issues. New videos revealing innovative uses of technology in public infrastructure. We kicked off 2018 with cross-disciplinary research findings, competition results, and provocative programs to help citymakers everywhere understand new challenges and opportunities in the urban environment.

We're closing 2017 with new tools and people that will help us better understand the relationships between cities and their inhabitants. Looking ahead, we'll continue to develop projects and programs that improve urban environments for the future.

In October 2017, we were thrilled to welcome Carla Swickerath (CEO, Studio Libeskind) as a member of our Board of Trustees, and Mitch McEwen (Partner, A(n) Office) as a VANguard Board Member. It is with expert guidance like theirs that we are able to cross new boundaries, and take our ideas around the world, including a trip to São Paulo, Brazil with our International Council, and a Crossroads Conversations at the Chicago Architecture Biennial.