City Planning commissioner Amanda Burden appointed Howard Slatkin as the agency's first director of sustainability. As the department's deputy director of strategic planning, Slatkin has overseen all of the agency's green projects, including the recently approved initiative to promote and expand car sharing throughout the city. Building on the agency's substantial achievements on sustainable land use and development, which have been the foundation for the department's more than 100 neighborhood rezonings in the past nine years, Slatkin will now lead expanded efforts to advance sustainability goals. Establishing this new position furthers the goals of PlaNYC, mayor Bloomberg's plan for a greener New York. Burden said, "The creation of this position reflects our commitment to advancing mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC goals for clean air, clean water, and opportunities for a healthy lifestyle as we plan for the future of a growing city. Howard's insight and leadership will be instrumental in our efforts to integrate sustainability into our planning activities throughout the city." Slatkin oversees the agency's efforts under PlaNYC to promote energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, stormwater management, and climate resilience. He has supervised agency activities on waterfront redevelopment, the Inclusionary Housing Program, which incentivizes the creation and preservation of permanently affordable housing, and is leading the sustainability efforts in Vision 2020: The New York City Comprehensive Waterfront Plan. Slatkin has also managed zoning changes to require street tree planting, indoor bicycle parking and car sharing. All of the green initiatives reinforce the Department's overall planning agenda of fostering more walkable, bikeable and inviting neighborhoods throughout the city. As director of sustainability, Slatkin will work closely with David Bragdon, director of the mayor's Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, and his team, as well as with other city and environmental regulatory agencies. Slatkin will be responsible for advising commissioner Burden and staff on sustainability issues throughout the city. Slatkin holds a master's degree in Urban Planning from Columbia University, and an undergraduate degree in history from Brown University.