The Milano School of International Affairs, Management, and Urban Policy, Urban Policy Lab has collaborated with Parsons to take a stab at prison reform. After a yearlong campaign, the Correctional Association of New York is contemplating a major makeover—from both a policy and design standpoint. Students from both programs have had the opportunity to collaborate and experience the importance of each specialty. Jeff Smith a part time professor and overseer for the lab states, “Today, so many of our policy problems have major design processes,” says Smith. “Policy analysts and designers need to cohesively interact in order to maximize political feasibility and impact.”
The lab now in its second year is composed of four eight-student teams equally representing Milano and Parsons—develops policy recommendations and designs for a range of real-world clients. Over about six weeks’ time, teams complete two proposals that they then present. Many of the clients end up incorporating the students’ proposals into their existing strategic plans or campaigns.
