Metropolitan Urban Design (MUD) Workshop is a New York based urban design and planning studio. We emphasize sustainability and community-centric thinking in all our projects as we recognize this to be the greatest factor in bringing about positive changes in communities and ensuring the long-term viability of all design and development works.
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The approach to all our work is based in enormous attention to the human factor – essentially who the place is being planned for and the experience of being in a place. Central to this approach is stakeholder and community engagement, for which we use a number of interactive techniques, both digital and traditional, ensuring a sound understanding of the specific needs and lifestyles of current and future inhabitants. Through our iterative work process we balance these needs so as to minimize impacts on the natural environment.
FIRM PROFILE
Our work products have a strong emphasis on implementation and we do this by creating actionable strategies and engaging implementation partners early on in the design and planning process.
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We are certified as a disadvantaged, woman, and minority owned business and our clients include City and State agencies, community based organizations, not-for-profits, institutions, private organizations and developers.
Business Certifications:
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SBS NYC MBE and WBE (New York City)
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Empire State Development MBE and WBE (New York State)
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PANYNJ MBE and WBE
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Federal DBE
SHACHI PANDEY
FOUNDING PRINCIPAL
Shachi is a community-based urban designer committed to the regeneration of neighborhoods and public spaces. Her approach to urban design is based in active community and stakeholder engagement which she translates into implementable policy guidelines and physical projects that advance community aspirations.
As the Founding Principal of Metropolitan Urban Design (MUD) Workshop, she is currently leading the development of the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Easton; two Brownfield Opportunity Area plans in Upper Manhattan and the South Bronx; a museum expansion plan in Palm Beach, FL and site-specific zoning studies in Brooklyn.
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Prior to MUD Workshop, Pandey managed and designed several urban and public-realm projects. Chief among them are the Fordham Plaza Conceptual Master Plan, which was awarded $10 million in TIGER grants; the Sherman Creek Waterfront Esplanade Master Plan, and the East River Blueway Plan.
These projects offer planning and design solutions for community based programming, innovative green design, and increased public access in heavy infrastructure and industrial contexts. Her continued involvement in projects and neighborhoods over time, is a commitment to taking ideas from plans to implementation. The Sunset Park Industrial Waterfront, for instance, which attracted $1.2M in implementation funds, saw her closely involved for over four years.
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Shachi holds a Master’s degree in City Planning (Urban Design) and a Certificate in Real Estate Design and Development from the School of Design, UPenn. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia GSAPP and has taught at NYU, the Pratt Institute and internationally at Universidad De LaSalle in Bogotá.
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Shachi also serves as the Vice President of Intergovernmental Affairs for the American Planning Association, NY Metro Chapter
FORMER STUDIO TEAM MEMBERS
MUD Workshop​
58 Maspeth Avenue, #4D
Brooklyn, NY 11211
T 732.299.9218