A Coffee with Gopinath Gnanakumar Malathi, Senior Analyst

We grabbed coffee with Gopinath ‘Gopi’ Gnanakumar Malathi. We discussed his career transition from architecture to urban planning, the impact of data-driven approaches to economic development strategy, and his Urban Design Forum fellowship project, which aims to empower youth through participatory urban design. As a Senior Analyst at Karp Strategies, Gopi leverages his experience working with quantitative and geospatial analytics for public, private, and nonprofit organizations to support equitable economic and infrastructure development in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Maine. His journey from an architecture and urban design background to data analysis offers a unique perspective on integrating diverse disciplines to tackle urban challenges effectively.

Gopi began at Karp Strategies as a Graduate Analyst and over his four years at the firm, has had the opportunity to advance his career through promotions and varied experience, as he has been staffed on various projects with a focus on research and analysis. This fall, Gopi will transition into the PhD program at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, where he will investigate the social and ethical implications of urban information science.

How do you like your coffee?

Interestingly, I'm not actually a coffee person. I might be one of the very few who survived architecture school without coffee. I'm a big fan of hot chocolate, though—it's my favorite beverage.

Why did you join Karp Strategies?

During my graduate program at Pratt Institute, I became acquainted with several classmates, including Yuri Chang, who was already working at Karp Strategies. Additionally, Jen Becker, a principal at the firm then, was faculty. I remember hearing wonderful things about the diversity of projects, clients, and geographic contexts in which Karp Strategies was engaged. It felt like the perfect post-graduation opportunity to apply what I had learned at Pratt.

Describe what you do at Karp Strategies.

At Karp Strategies, I have a unique and interesting role. I support project teams in effectively identifying and addressing challenges our clients face using emerging data and advanced analytical methods. As an analytical lead working on economic impact assessments, retail supply/demand analysis, workforce conditions research, and neighborhood-level market studies for cities and towns across New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania. I work closely with associates and senior associates to design and implement mixed-methods research. This involves collaborating with analysts and graduate analysts to ensure our approaches are comprehensive and impactful. My goal is to contribute to insightful solutions that meet the needs of our clients and their stakeholders.

Coming from an architecture and urban design background, what inspired your transition into urban data analysis? How do you view data-driven approaches in tackling urban issues?

While urban design and urban information science may seem distinct, I find they both involve elements of design thinking and a systems approach. 

In this context, design thinking would mean the iterative and creative process of leveraging urban data analytics to consider context, the client’s needs, and community requirements—akin to how urban designers approach public space design projects.

A systems approach in urban design involves considering factors like climate, regulations, local culture, and/or building materials when developing a vision for a space. At Karp Strategies, I constantly consider the people, the economy, industries, businesses, places, neighborhoods, and demographics because changing any factor will impact all of the above. Therefore, I need to be conscious of the entire system and what is being impacted by the decisions I choose to make.

They're also very different because urban information science requires a scientific approach. It's important to understand the possibilities and the rationale, which, In this case, are grounded in both technical and social sciences. Urban design has a more creative approach.

In the rapidly evolving urban world, how do you effectively adapt and apply your knowledge and transferable skills to address new challenges or industries within this dynamic environment?

Obviously, there is a certain level of nuance and technical expertise in each of these different fields, which is acquired through years of academic training or professional experience. However, the work we do is very interdisciplinary. These different fields, including economic development, workforce development, real estate strategy, land use planning, transportation planning, infrastructure development, housing, or sustainability like renewable energy, are very much connected, intertwined, and interdependent by nature, which makes it very easy to transfer our experience from one of these to the others. 

Apart from that, I think addressing new challenges is critical because, as a civilization, we're facing unprecedented crises. They can vary widely, from geopolitical extremities to something as simple as shifts in population demographics, such as the aging of the American population, which is a critical new challenge for us to consider, evaluate, and address. These challenges underscore the importance of being a system thinker who can identify and solve issues within the broader context of various sectors or verticals.

What emerging trends in urban information science are you currently following or excited about?

This is a particularly interesting question—one that I’ve been thinking a lot about, especially given the rapid evolution of urban information science compared to other subfields in urban science. As data analysts, staying relevant is something important to keep in the back of your mind. At the forefront of urban information science lies artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, which can streamline processes that are currently taking us hours in less than a minute. Industries are rapidly integrating AI into various analytical tasks, including descriptive, diagnostic, and predictive analyses. For example, companies like Esri are leveraging AI to help users identify relevant data sources, manage databases, and even analyze data without ever having to clean them up. Qualitative data is becoming much more indexable and analyzable.

On the other hand, they also pose challenges, particularly regarding accuracy, representation, and inclusivity. It's crucial to engage in ongoing discussions and reflections that not only focus on emerging technologies but also on emerging trends and theories. Take an example of counter-data and counter-mapping, which have been discussed for years, but are resurfacing as counter-algorithms. They are produced with a bottom-up approach to counter the status quo against the interests of grassroots communities and disadvantaged populations. 

Can you tell us more about your experience as a Forefront Fellow at the Urban Design Forum? What are you particularly excited about? 

This year's fellowship theme focuses on the youth in the city. Over the first six months, my colleagues and I conducted research and engagement to understand the unique opportunities and challenges that young people across different age groups, from school-age youth to young adults, face as they try to grow into becoming equal participants in shaping the future of New York City. Over the first six months, we conducted research and engagement to understand the unique opportunities and challenges the youth have to be equal participants in city spaces, city decision-making, and city processes.

Currently, we've formed smaller groups to design and implement projects to address the needs of young New Yorkers. To address the need for more engagement tools, my smaller group is developing a prototype for an urban design-based board game that will guide a group of youth to envision an imaginary public space, design it, and get it funded in a fun and engaging way.  We hope to empower youth to play an active role in transforming and advocating for their neighborhood spaces. Our goal for this board game is to be scalable and accessible to youth not only in New York City but across the country. 

The game itself will combine physical and digital elements, allowing youth to experiment with urban space when playing the board game and translate this into digital elements that they can further explore in augmented or virtual reality. By integrating digital technology into the gaming experience, we wanted to extend the impact beyond the game itself. We are experimenting with using LiDARscanners available on iPhones to capture the participant’s physical design and convert it into a 3D model, which they can use to advocate for and shape the spaces that hold meaning and matter to them.

A pilot version of this game being tested by school students in Washington Heights

What do you love about cities? What about urban planning do you enjoy the most?

I find cities fascinating because, in many cases, they epitomize democratic coexistence. They compel individuals from diverse backgrounds, speaking different languages, or holding different beliefs to share spaces and power. You don't necessarily have to engage with them, but it allows you to coexist with them and make them a part of your life. I see that as my main motivation to continue thinking about cities, which leads me to my interest in disciplines like urban design and urban planning, as they serve as tools to preserve and augment the diverse fabric of cities, towns, or other scales and settlements.

What has been your favorite highlight of working at Karp Strategies?

If you were to ask me a thousand times, it would always be the people that I have had the pleasure to know and the opportunity to work with. It’s been a nourishing experience to collaborate with people who are not just smart and talented but also incredibly passionate.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Hint hint: I guess you might say spending time with your dog?

Lately, I have loved spending time hanging out with my 11-month-old golden retriever, Poori. Besides that, I enjoy staying active and being outdoors. Whether it’s hitting skate parks, going on hikes, or simply relaxing at the beach, I'm always up for it.

Lastly, how has Karp Strategies supported your transition back into academia?

From the onset, my colleagues, managers, and the leadership team at Karp Strategies have been aware of my aspirations to pursue a PhD and have shown unwavering support to help me achieve it. They facilitated connections with professors at institutions I was interested in, encouraged me to apply for fellowship and funding to secure external research opportunities, and promoted me to roles within the firm that emphasized research and analysis. Their commitment extended to directly supporting my applications and writing recommendation letters, highlighting their investment in my personal and professional goals. 

The firm has provided me with an environment that fosters continuous learning and development. This experience has not only prepared me for the rigors of a PhD program but has also enriched my understanding of the practical applications of academic research in real-world scenarios. The experiences I've gained at Karp Strategies have been invaluable, shaping me into a more capable and confident individual ready to embark on this new academic journey.

Fast Facts:

Last TV show I binge-watched: The Mare of Easttown

Restaurant (delivery) I’d recommend to close friends: Kanyakumari (One of the best biryanis I’ve had in New York)

Book that changed me: How to Lie with Maps

Movie I’d pay to see again and again: Avengers: Endgame

My heroes are: Anyone committed to taking time between their day jobs, parenting, and everything else to advocate for civil liberties and human rights.

Informed Investment: Enhancing Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor with a Comprehensive Economic Impact Analysis

New Acela Fleet Testing on the Northeast Corridor. © Amtrak Media.

The Northeast Corridor (NEC) is a vital transportation artery, connecting major cities from Boston to Washington, DC, over its expansive 450-mile span. Recognizing the need for collaborative regional planning and strategic development, the Northeast Corridor Commission (the Commission) is at the forefront of efforts to stabilize the corridor, increase accessibility to underserved communities, and lay the foundation for future growth.

In pursuing sustainable and high-performing rail transit, especially in the face of climate change, the Commission has undertaken extensive planning for over 300 service improvements and maintenance construction projects over the next 15 years. The challenge lies in quantifying and spatially locating the impacts of these projects to inform investment prioritization and workforce development decisions. Furthermore, the Commission needs to concisely communicate this complex data to municipalities and the public.

The Northeast Corridor. Image courtesy of the Northeast Corridor Commission.

Achieving the CONNECT NEC 2037 Plan

Building on the ambitious CONNECT NEC 2035 plan released in July 2021, the Commission engaged Karp Strategies in collaboration with project lead Arup to support the first update, CONNECT NEC 2037. This update will guide capital investment decisions through rigorous research and analysis of travel demand and economic impacts.

Karp Strategies, taking the lead on the economic impact analysis, was tasked with quantifying the estimated value and earnings of construction jobs generated by these rail infrastructure projects. In addition, Karp Strategies brings a holistic planning lens to ground these economic impacts in social analysis, emphasizing how the planned investments support long-term resiliency, economic development, and job creation, particularly in traditionally underserved communities.

Economic Impact Assessment and Lightcast Analysis in Action

Karp Strategies utilized Lightcast, an advanced input-output model, for this complex economic analysis. Lightcast's multiregional impact analysis capacity is able to capture intricate relationships between industries and regions. This tool is useful, as Karp Strategies’ approach goes beyond merely quantifying direct, indirect, and induced jobs and spending, resulting in a more comprehensive understanding of the broader economic consequences of investment projects.

Along with the direct improvements to rail operations and terminal connectivity, the ongoing investments in the NEC will trigger substantial regional and local benefits. Karp Strategies followed a multi-level approach to gather data and quantify the economic ripple effects of NEC investments. While understanding job and spending data is critical to evaluating NEC projects, the public also wants to understand how these investments will impact communities and respond to long-term climate conditions. Our analysis went beyond the conventional job and economic impact projections in order to emphasize how communities across the corridor will benefit from improved transit times, increased accessibility for disadvantaged communities, resilient infrastructure, and environmental justice considerations. 

The final CONNECT NEC 2037 represents the collective effort of the Arup Team, NEC staff, and corridor partners. Using Karp Strategies’ economic data, the report effectively communicates the operational, economic, and social benefits of the C37 plan to policymakers, elected leaders, and the public. The report also incorporates a comprehensive analysis conducted by the Arup team, presented visually through illustrative infographics and diagrams. 

You can read the full CONNECT NEC 2037 plan here.

Want to learn more? Connect with our team.

Envisioning a Clean Energy Future: Insights from the City and State’s Clean Energy Summit

Recently, Karp Strategies had the privilege of participating in the City and State’s Clean Energy Summit, which shed light on New York's path towards a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040 and the ambitious goal of achieving 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030. The summit featured comprehensive discussions on New York's multifaceted approach to combating climate change across diverse industries, spanning strategies from enhancing building energy efficiency to fortifying coastal resilience against climate impacts.

The dialogues revolved around pivotal themes, encapsulating New York's holistic approach to climate action. Let's delve into these central themes, mirroring the prevalent discussions throughout the conference.

Achieving Climate Smart Communities

The discussions during the summit delved into the idea of creating climate-smart communities driven by a persistent pursuit of efficiency. New York's dedication to utilizing alternative and efficient energy sources is crucial in nurturing these environmentally friendly, more sustainable, fair, and resilient communities. The envisioned zero-emission electricity system aims to fuel homes, offices, schools, healthcare facilities, and transportation with renewable energy sources, strengthening urban areas and communities against environmental adversity caused by climate change. The summit focused on policy frameworks like CAP and Invest, highlighting the critical role of private investments alongside government support in achieving New York State’s ambitious energy objectives.

Navigating the Offshore Wind Landscape

A significant highlight of the summit was the spotlight on the offshore wind industry—a linchpin in New York's pursuit of cleaner energy sources. The burgeoning industry in New York promises to distribute economic advantages equitably among workers, utility customers, and local communities. 

However, the discussions highlighted significant hurdles: workforce shortages and limited supplier availability. Gregory Lampman from NYSERDA outlined a response strategy focusing on recent Requests for Information (RFIs) to source supply chain investments and expedite Requests for Proposals (RFPs). This approach emphasizes the necessity for cost-effective planning under the Offshore Wind (OSW) Master Plan to navigate the industry's current landscape characterized by inflationary pressures and developers renegotiating contracts.

Bridging Gaps and Pioneering Equitable Development

Amidst the dialogue about New York's energy landscape, the spotlight fell on the impact on small businesses and the average consumer. Ensuring an inclusive transition, mitigating cost impacts, and addressing affordable housing in policy decisions took center stage. Rebecca Karp, our CEO and Founding Principal, emphasized the significance of comprehensive workforce development programs, ranging from early career exposure in schools to advanced training initiatives to bridge skill gaps and ensure equitable career progression.

She stressed the transformative potential for New York to become a national model for clean energy workforce development. She discussed various initiatives, including the Green Economy Fund, which allocated funds from a transmission project to support inclusive green workforce development. Karp also highlighted the Growing Green Initiative, a market analysis that connects BIPOC businesses to green economy opportunities, addressing barriers small and minority-owned businesses face. Additionally, she presented case studies such as NYSERDA's Offshore Wind Youth Action Program and the CUNY Bridges to Offshorewind program, illustrating the importance of awareness, education, and fostering transferable skills in the clean energy sector.

The summit made clear that clean energy development is a long-term endeavor, requiring a focus on strategic, lasting gains over short-term challenges. Solutions proposed by Karp Strategies involve developing workforce and minority- and women-owned business enterprise capacity, emphasizing transferable skills, and understanding the long timelines associated with transformative projects. Despite setbacks, such as Ørsted's recent cancellation of New Jersey OSW projects, Karp Strategies remains optimistic about the industry's future, emphasizing the need for ongoing preparation and commitment to equity. The critical takeaway is to maintain a relentless focus on equity and invest deeply in people to ensure success as the clean energy economy grows.