youarethecity is an urban research, design and planning practice. Informed by the belief that everybody has agency in designing cities and urban space, each of our projects is a collaboration bringing together institutions, individuals, public agencies and non-profit organizations to produce research, design, maps, plans, strategies, diagrams, writings, interventions, websites, events and exhibitions about urban spaces at many scales from a flower pot to a masterplan. Working with and speaking to the people that are affected by our work is at the core of our process. youarethecity is a WBE certified business in New York City and is located in Brooklyn.

 

 

Founder Kaja Kühl, (Dipl.Ing, AICP)  is an urban designer with a Diploma in Architecture from the University in Karlsruhe, Germany and a Master of Science in Urban Planning from Columbia University in New York. Prior to founding youarethecity in 2008, she worked for the New York City Department of City Planning as an Urban Designer and team leader where she was responsible for design guidance and development of public policy for several private rezoning applications and city initiatives. Selected projects include Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts’ 65th Street Project, Sherman Creek Housing Opportunity Plan, Upper West Side Contextual Rezoning, Columbia University‘s Expansion Plan in Manhattanville, 125th Street rezoning study and streetscape analysis, Small Sidewalk Cafe Initiative. Kaja is a certified planner and Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University, where she coordinates studios in the Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design Program, and teaches studios and seminars related to her research on Spaces of Migration. From 2018 to 2020 she led the Hudson Valley Intiative at Columbia University GSAPP. She is a member of the APA NY Urban Design Committee and a trustee of the Awesome Newburgh Foundation.