Deputy Director of Design Services
New York City Housing Authority
Jackson Heights, New York
Delma Palma, is Deputy Director of Design Services, Oversight, and Expediting at the New York City Housing Authority. She is a licensed architect and certified urban planner who leads several design studios to implement capital projects across NYCHA’s portfolio. Delma also led the Connected Communities program, NYCHA’s urban design initiative to better connect the over 400,000 public housing residents to their surround¬ing neighborhoods and resources through the design of the public realm. Delma manages strategic cross-sector partnerships to further quality design across the Authority’s 2,400 acres. Her work focuses on design excellence, public health and safety, and community-led design processes. Delma led the production of the internationally recognized Connected Communities Guidebook, a publication outlining NYCHA’s urban design and community engagement priorities that inform all capital work at NYCHA. Delma also led NYCHA’s first large-scale masterplanning effort with the Open Space Masterplan of over 130 sites citywide. Delma’s work at NYCHA won the Wellbeing Cities Award for a program that supports the wellbeing of residents through its policies, programs, and projects. Delma was a finalist for the 2020 Frederick O’Reilly Hayes Prize, awarded to extraordinary New York City public servants who have led outstanding high-impact work in government.
Monday, April 3, 2023
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM CDT