PROGRAM

By 2050 it’s estimated that sixty-six percent of the world’s population will live in urban areas. What challenges will this create to infrastructure systems around the globe? How can investment in infrastructure address issues of inequality and how can policy makers use it to advance an agenda of greater economic security? As the impacts of climate change are increasingly felt, what are some policies of adaptation that can be enacted to protect our infrastructure? What lessons can be learned from Hurricane Sandy’s impact on New York City?

This upcoming Brown Bag will examine these kinds of questions and explore the political complexities of building and maintaining infrastructure systems that address the complicated economic and logistical problems of the 21st century.

STEVEN POLAN represents both government agencies and private firms in the development of public infrastructure projects, particularly in the transportation, environmental and information technology sectors. He has worked on major projects across the United States, in Europe and in Asia. Mr. Polan has broad and varied experience in government contracts and government procurement, the financing of public works, federal requirements such as Buy-America, privatizations, PPPs and the specialized issues involved in construction, engineering and technology contracting. He has also served as an arbitrator in major commercial disputes involving public infrastructure projects.

Prior to joining the Manatt, Mr. Polan was General Counsel for an international construction and engineering company firm.  Previously, he served as Commissioner of Sanitation for the City of New York (1990-92) and as General Counsel of New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (1981-89).

RSVP to rhp3@hunter.cuny.edu