Janette Sadik-Khan

Janette Sadik-Khan
Name	Janette Sadik-Khan
Birth date	31 May 1960
Birth place	New York City, New York, U.S.
Alma mater	Columbia University (BA), University of California, Los Angeles (JD)
Occupation	Transportation Commissioner, Principal
Known for	Street transformations in New York City
Employer	Bloomberg Associates, NACTO
Title	Former Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation
Term	2007–2013
Predecessor	Iris Weinshall
Successor	Polly Trottenberg

Janette Sadik-Khan is an American transportation official and urban strategist renowned for her transformative work as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Her tenure from 2007 to 2013 is noted for the rapid implementation of ambitious public space projects, including the creation of pedestrian plazas like those in Times Square and Herald Square, a major expansion of the Citi Bike bicycle-sharing system, and the installation of hundreds of miles of protected bike lanes. Her data-driven, tactical approach to street redesign, often utilizing low-cost materials for quick implementation, has influenced urban planning and sustainable transport policies in cities worldwide. Following her public service, she has continued her advocacy as a principal at Bloomberg Associates and as the chair of the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO).

Early life and education

Born in New York City, she was raised in Palo Alto. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Columbia University in New York City. She subsequently attended the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor degree. Her early professional experience included work in the public sector in Washington, D.C., serving as a staffer for the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Career

Prior to her appointment in New York City, she held several significant transportation policy roles. She served as the Deputy Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration under President Bill Clinton. In this role, she was involved in federal initiatives related to public transportation funding and policy. She also worked in the private sector as a managing director at Parsons Brinckerhoff, a global engineering and construction firm. Her expertise spans federal, private, and municipal levels of transportation planning and implementation.

New York City Department of Transportation

Appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2007, her leadership of the New York City Department of Transportation marked a paradigm shift in the city's approach to its streets. Guided by the PlaNYC sustainability agenda, her department executed rapid, visible projects using temporary materials to test new street designs. Major initiatives included the pedestrianization of sections of Broadway through Times Square and Herald Square, converting former vehicular lanes into public plazas. The agency installed over 400 miles of bicycle lanes, including physically protected bike lanes on avenues like First and Second Avenues. She oversaw the launch of Citi Bike in 2013, one of the largest bicycle-sharing systems in the United States. These projects were supported by data analysis from the DOT's Green Light for Midtown evaluation and were often defended against legal challenges, including a notable lawsuit from United Federation of Teachers head Randi Weingarten.

Post-NYC career and advocacy

After leaving the Bloomberg Administration, she co-founded the transportation consulting practice at Bloomberg Associates, providing pro bono technical assistance to cities globally. She was elected chair of the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), where she helped develop and promote the influential NACTO Urban Street Design Guide. She is a frequent speaker at forums like the TED Conference and the World Economic Forum. Her international advisory work has influenced street design projects in cities such as Auckland, Bogotá, Milan, and São Paulo.

Awards and recognition

Her work has received numerous accolades from planning and design institutions. She is a recipient of the Lewis Mumford Prize from the Society for American City and Regional Planning History. She has been honored with the Olmsted Medal from the American Society of Landscape Architects and the Jane Drew Prize for her influence in the built environment. In 2023, she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Publications

She is the co-author of the book *Streetfight: Handbook for an Urban Revolution* (2016) with Seth Solomonow, published by Viking Press. The book details her philosophy and on-the-ground strategies for reclaiming city streets for people. She has also authored articles and opinion pieces for publications including *The New York Times* and *The Guardian*, and her work is featured in case studies by organizations like the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy.

Category:American urban planners Category:New York City officials Category:Columbia University alumni Category:University of California, Los Angeles alumni