About the Christopherson Center
What We Do
The Christopherson Center collaborates with communities in New York State to address unmet needs at the intersection of climate resilience, equity and the built environment through inclusive, participatory, data-driven and results-oriented regional approaches.
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DEVELOP policies that support resilient New York State communities
CONNECT municipalities and community-based organizations through workshops, case studies and design charrettes
SERVE as a resource for community-based organizations and public agencies
PARTNER with disenfranchised populations to support their efforts to engage equitably in the planning process
FACILITATE partnerships with higher education to inform and bolster policy initiatives
PROVIDE opportunities for creative, consensus-building community programming
INFORM AND EDUCATE through stakeholder engagement and outreach
We are Committed to
Inclusion and equity || Meaningful engagement || Regional collaboration and cooperation || Research and data || Economic development || Recognition of complexities and interconnected issues
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Leadership
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Project Director
Gretchen Worth
Advisory Board
Tom Knipe, Chair
Director for Economic Development, City of Ithaca
Jeffrey Chusid
Associate Professor, Department of City and Regional Planning, Cornell University
Derek Crossman
Community Development Specialist, City of Utica
Danielle Hautaniemi
State Extension Specialist
Rod Howe
Supervisor, Town of Ithaca
Kate Maynard
Planning and Economic Development Director, CDRPC
Nicolette Wagoner
Senior Regulatory Analyst
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Our Partners
Our program partners include community engagement professionals, economic development specialists, architects, planners, and preservationists.
University students and community collaborators play an integral part in our work, providing important research, outreach and a commitment to a more sustainable environment.
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We are grateful to the Department of City and Regional Planning at Cornell University for supporting graduate student interns during the academic year.