Our Goals
The Syracuse Urbanism Collective strives to build access to human-centered, walkable, vibrant communities and spaces for all. Our goal is to enhance the urbanism of Syracuse through advocacy on policy and design, as well as with physical installations and programming in public space.
Welcoming Statement
Welcome to the Syracuse Urbanism Collective. We are open to all, regardless of level of experience or knowledge. We aim to be inclusive and democratic. All who sign up on our website, show up to our meetings, or both, are automatically considered to be members. We encourage new members to speak up and share ideas. If you have something you’d like to share that doesn’t quite fit a meeting agenda, we’ll have an opportunity for you to talk about it at the end of the meeting.
Affiliations
The Syracuse Urbanism Collective is the Syracuse, NY subchapter for the Congress for the New Urbanism.
We’re a part of CNU New York.
The Board
Baxter Hankin – President. The founding chair of the Syracuse Urbanism Collective, Baxter Hankin is a registered architect at QPK Design in Syracuse, NY. He’s originally from Newtown, Connecticut and graduated from the Syracuse University School of Architecture in 2020. His undergraduate thesis work on the I-81 Viaduct Project and the Community Grid led to his interest in continuing to create a more vibrant urban landscape in Syracuse and sticking around town for the long term. Hankin also serves on the board of PLACE Initiative, which deals with public policy at the intersection of urbanism and climate change. http://baxterhankin.com/
Shail Patel – Vice President. Shail Patel moved to Syracuse in 2021 where he found the Syracuse Urbanism Collective through its Creekwalk Wayfinding project. Since then, he has been a regular at general meetings and contributing to projects however he can. Shail lives in Downtown Syracuse where he works as a software engineer and is fortunate to be able to bike, walk, and bus to everything and is motivated to have that level of car-free access available to everyone living in the city. Outside of work you’ll see Shail biking around Syracuse all year long and especially on the creek walk to get to local arts and music events and other community organizations. Shail is deeply excited to improve and enjoy the urban environment he lives in and working with the community to do so.
Jonathan Rizk – Treasurer. I grew up in Elmira, NY and have been living in Syracuse since 2023. I work as an engineer trainee at Arcadis, in downtown Syracuse. I am very passionate about active and alternate methods of transportation, and I believe Syracuse has the potential to become a very human-centered city. I am very excited to work with the Syracuse Urbanism Collective and hope to make an impact in my community!
Dylan Buck – Secretary. “I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it.” -As You Like It. Dylan was born and raised in Syracuse and is a graduate of Syracuse University. He works as a union electrician as part of IBEW Local 43. He has been involved in several local political campaigns and volunteer projects, including many originated by members of the Syracuse Urbanism Collective. Dylan has high hopes for the city of Syracuse and believes the Urbanism Collective has a part to play in the city’s future. It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.
Becca Saya – Outreach Coordinator. Becca Saya is a proud Tipp Hill resident who has lived and worked in several Syracuse neighborhoods throughout the past 5 years. She has built a career in fiber optic network design, traveling throughout the United States to plan future construction. Becca’s love of Syracuse and dedication to community service is well-known by her friends, colleagues and family. Over two years ago this brought her to the Syracuse Urbanism Collective, wherein her passion for serving Syracuse has grown. Becca’s outreach and advocacy were essential to the success of our Creekwalk Wayfinding project, and she looks forward to being heavily involved in many future endeavors. Becca is an avid birder and walker; you can find her at Creekwalk mile 0.0 in any weather. She is also a proud advocate for and supporter of our extraordinary local music scene in Syracuse.
Our Members & Meetings
We meet the last Tuesday of every month at 6 pm at a variety of locations around Syracuse.
Access our meeting notes here.
