Pratt Center for Community Development grew out of a partnership between Pratt Institute planning faculty and students and Bedford-Stuyvesant community organizations. Founded in 1963, it was created to help residents shape decisions about housing, jobs and neighborhood change. The Center is based in Brooklyn and works across New York City’s five boroughs, combining community-level planning and research with policy design and advocacy.1912
Its work has included helping community groups preserve affordable housing, improve transportation access, strengthen commercial corridors and protect manufacturing jobs. More recent efforts have addressed basement-apartment safety and tenant rights, supported community planning in the South Bronx, and developed a home-retrofit program in East Brooklyn.9 The Center also works on climate and energy issues, with a focus on communities historically excluded from planning decisions.11
A prominent initiative is Made in NYC, launched in 2003. It provides city manufacturers and makers with business resources, skills-building programs and promotional platforms, and advocates for local manufacturing.7 Another project, “This Used to be a Club,” is collecting information on current and historic New York City nightlife venues for a database intended to inform policymakers and researchers.3
Alexa Kasdan became executive director on September 1, 2023, overseeing staff and coordinating with Pratt Institute faculty, students and staff on community-led planning, applied research and policy advocacy.9 The Center’s approach starts with understanding local conditions and residents’ experiences, then uses that knowledge to inform public policy.1