Jamil Bey takes over as Pittsburgh planning czar

An Overbrook resident with a doctorate in geography is Pittsburgh’s new planning director.

City Council unanimously approved Jamil Bey as the director of the Department of City Planning.

Bey will oversee a roughly $9 million budget and 56 full-time employees at the department, which manages land use, zoning and neighborhood planning.

He said he would examine zoning reforms, support affordable housing initiatives and open dialogues with developers who have raised concerns that the department is inefficient and an impediment to some development projects.

Bey has worked as acting director since early April, when Karen Abrams stepped down for another job.

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey touted Bey’s “wealth of academic, professional and lived experience” when he nominated him for the position.

“He has been a strong advocate for our communities and the need for a citywide comprehensive plan,” Gainey said.

Bey previously served as founder and CEO of the UrbanKind Institute, a local consulting firm.

He holds a Ph.D. from Penn State University and was an original member of the Pittsburgh Water Equity Taskforce, a partnership between the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, the US Water Alliance and community members, which aimed to advance equitable investments in water infrastructure.

Bey last week reaffirmed his support for a controversial master plan for Pittsburgh that council passed in February.

With a price tag of over $6 million, the plan drew criticism from some council members for being too costly and vague.

Bey told council that he saw the plan as an opportunity for “reimagining communities and giving folks the tools to do that.”

He highlighted his commitment to ensuring all residents’ voices are heard in city planning efforts.

Bey will make over $125,000 per year, according to the city budget.