10.06.2008

where I've been
where I'm going


So tell me, are we way past the point in the life-cycle of blogs where the reader, not having seen a new post in weeks, has decided it's not worth visiting the blog anymore?

I hope not. Then again, you're reading this so maybe I have some ground to stand on.

I've been away for quite a while, and have let the messages pile up on my cyber doorstep. I apologize to those who left their thoughts.

I changed jobs in June and moved cities to boot and that has been quite an adjustment. Add to that, the curse of "saying I will start a series" which, invariably, makes me stumble on posting regularly.


Where I've been

I've been working on physical plans at a much smaller, though just as interesting scale. I felt I needed to get back to my design roots and thought a stint in campus planning would satisfy that need.

But the move also shifted me slightly off my focus of livable cities, and though I kept up with the news - I was not as immersed in it which probably is one of the reasons for the dearth in posts.

Well, all that is about to change...


Where I'm going


Then, the Rockefeller Foundation called. We talked.

Here's more about them:
The work of the Rockefeller Foundation for the 21st Century is to enable 'smart globalization.' It attempts to harness the creative forces of globalization to ensure that the tools and technologies that have significantly improved the human condition in many parts of the world during the past half century are accessible today to more people, more fully, in more places.

The foundation focuses its work on five, interlocking issues and one of them is rapid urbanization.

What do they want to accomplish, particularly in my field? They want to address...
...the risks of accelerating urbanization - shaping efforts in planning, finance, infrastructure, and governance to manage a world in which, for the first time in history, more people live in urban communities than rural ones.
I liked the challenge they posed. They liked what they saw in me. They made an offer and I've accepted. I start work with them in November and will be serving as Associate Director for Urban Development and I'll be working on the challenges of urbanization worldwide.

Let me repeat that, to shake my own disbelief at how I've found a home for my passion.


I will be working to find solutions and shape efforts
in planning, finance, infrastructure, and governance
to manage a world in which, for the first time in history,
more people live in urban communities than rural ones
.


Let me step back and say, "Wow!" Sorry. This is a defining moment for me.

And have I told you how they work?
  • We seek and support work that sparks innovation, fresh approaches to problems and their resolutions.

  • We work across and between disciplines, bridging the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

  • We bring diverse people and parties together and engage them in meaningful alliances.

  • We search for and work with partners to leverage as many elements as possible to maximize opportunities for success.

  • We work to strengthen individual, institutional, and community capacity — empowering more people in more places to build and maintain better lives and futures.

  • We strive to stay nimble and agile. Almost all of our work is selected because the Foundation sees an opportunity to break a bottleneck, surface a new issue or reframe an old one, take advantage of a current or coming tipping point, or expand a proven solution in concert with others.

  • The Foundation vigorously and regularly measures impact and outcomes. Our initiatives specify clear time frames, identify anticipated results, and require monitoring and evaluation. This does not mean that we expect to solve the world’s thorniest problems overnight. It does mean that Foundation-supported work defines hypotheses, articulates both short- and longer-term objectives, foresees and adapts to changing circumstances, and fully integrates verifiable methods of assessing progress.

Wow!

As they say in the old time world of Komiks, "Abangan ang susunod na kabanata."

16 comments:

wysgal said...

Wowee new job! Where at, NY?

I'm looking for a job now and it's a bit of a painful process. But knowing I could end up in a number of places around the world is exciting. =)

Urbano dela Cruz said...

Hi Wysgal,

Yup, NYC. I seem to be migrating north again (DC to Baltimore to NYC).

Good luck on the job search! What are you focusing on?

Pon said...

wow! that sounds great and just right :) don't worry about readers going away, may rss naman so we're updated on updates :)

exskindiver said...

woo hoo!
NYC is such an exciting place to live and work and eat and sleep and to have friends like me visit...

Urbano dela Cruz said...

pon,

thanks for subscribing to the feed.

chesca,

I am excited. about the city (which V and I always really enjoy) and more so about the job.

do come for a visit!

UDC

sparks said...

wahoohoo!!! congratulations. tagay tayo!

Fred Gohlke said...

Let me add my congratulations, as well. Now, for better or worse, you'll be up in my neck of the woods.

Best Wishes,

Fred

Vanessa said...

Congratulations, UDC! This sounds so exciting and I know we, the loyalists, will be along for the ride!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on this new job! It is so spot on with what you want to do with your life. I can't wait to see your contribution to the cause.

Big hug.

Chim

Anonymous said...

then again, what cause?

Bea said...

Good job on the job! Looking forward to reading about the initiatives and kuro-kuro :D

DISH ON DESIGN said...

So cool, kuya B! Congratulations, now I have someone to visit in NYC...haha...

TheresNoTylerDurden said...

Congratulations on your many new milestones. Amazing how the wind brings new challenges and a clear new path. Keeping you and your entire family in mind. God Bless man.... keep on blogging when humanly possible.

-= dave =- said...

i myself haven't updated my own blog for quite a long time.

that's some good news! congratulations and more power!

Anonymous said...

This blog is very interesting and very useful. Its absolutely true, that the technology is still improving.

Unknown said...

heya, have not visited your blog for a while. congratulations on your new job looks mighty interesting for you. hope to see you posting some new blogs soon so we can learn more!

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