I’m an urban designer, writer, and educator from New York City, of Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage. My first book, a forthcoming work of urban theory with Princeton University Press, explores overlooked in-between spaces where everyday social life takes root, arguing that they form a missing middle of social infrastructure.

My work explores civic life, social infrastructure, and collective form. Across writing, teaching, design, and research, I’m interested in how the built environment supports belonging, collectivity, and public life.

As a Senior Urban Designer at the New York City Department of City Planning, I’ve shaped major zoning and design initiatives including the City of Yes, Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan, and Zoning for Coastal Flood Resiliency.

I teach design and planning at Parsons School of Design and CUNY Hunter College, guiding future practitioners through the interplay of theory, history, and policy in the built environment. Previous honors include: 2024 session speaker at the International Downtown Association Annual Conference, 2023-24 Forefront Residency, 2022–23 Forefront Fellowship at the Urban Design Forum, and 2016 AIA COTE Top Ten Award.

Prior to the Department of City Planning, I worked on civic projects at wHY Architecture and The Open Workshop. I hold a Master of Architecture from the California College of the Arts and a BA from SUNY Albany. 

I’m available for speaking, teaching, workshops, public programs, and select consulting collaborations on urban design, public space, social infrastructure, climate resilience, public engagement, and visual communication.

For consulting, speaking, teaching, research collaborations, or inquiries related to my forthcoming book, please email me at rafaelberges1@gmail.com