Kaja Kühl, Dipl.Ing, AICP, is the founder of youarethecity, a research, design and planning practice interested in creating dialogue about the urban environment. youarethecity collaborates with institutions, individuals and nonprofit organizations to produce maps, diagrams, writings, websites, events and publications about urban spaces.
Kaja received her Diploma in Architecture from the University in Karlsruhe, Germany and a Master of Science in Urban Planning from Columbia University in New York. Prior to founding youarethecity in 2008, she worked for the New York City Department of City Planning as an Urban Designer and team leader where she was responsible for design guidance and development of public policy for several private rezoning applications and city initiatives.
Selected projects include Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts’ 65th Street Project, Sherman Creek Housing Opportunity Plan, Upper West Side Contextual Rezoning, Columbia University‘s Expansion Plan in Manhattanville, 125th Street Rezoning Study and Streetscape Analysis and the Small Sidewalk Cafe Initiative. Kaja is a certified planner and Associate Professor at Columbia University, where she coordinates the 5 Borough Studio as part of the Urban Design Program and teaches studios and seminars related to her research on migration and urban spaces.