
Revitalizing Urban Spaces and Communities

Gayeong Cho
Hi, I’m Gayeong Cho, a senior at NVOT! I’ve always been driven by curiosity — the kind that makes me take things apart just to see how they work, or notice how a single bus route can change the rhythm of a community. Growing up in Panama, South Korea, and the U.S. sparked my fascination with how places shape people and how better design can create more opportunity. That curiosity has now evolved into a passion for civil and environmental engineering: I love connecting data and creativity to reimagine greener, fairer cities.

Minjae Kang
Hey, I'm Minjae Kang, a senior in BCT. I believe that design is not just about beauty but also functionality and empathy. Coming from an ethnically diverse background, I saw how art brings culture and beauty, but also social division and inequity to countries. I taught myself a wide range of artistic skills and mediums: watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen, pencil, marker, and unconventional mediums as well. Through these experiences, I saw how visual expression lives within cities. I began to understand how art can activate public space, strengthen identity, and unite communities, but can exclude or divide if misaligned. As I move toward architecture and urban planning, I seek to design spaces that are not sustainable but are equitable, culturally inclusive, and capable of supporting the livelihoods of future generations.
How I Got Here
After living in Panama, South Korea, and the United States, I had seen how infrastructure — especially green space — could shape daily life. In Seoul, parks and transit systems felt seamlessly integrated, giving communities room to breathe. In other places, concrete spread with no relief, and access to nature seemed reserved for the lucky. That contrast made me wonder how we might redesign cities so that everyone has access to healthier, greener environments.
I began researching urban planning and green infrastructure on my own. That curiosity led to data analysis, stormwater system maps, precedent case studies, and dozens of sketches trying to balance engineering logic with human needs. At some point, my binder of scattered ideas felt too meaningful to stay private. I wanted others to visualize the same possibilities I saw.
So I partnered with my artistic friend Michael, and together we transformed our blend of engineering and creativity into something real: a website. It became our platform to test ideas, share designs, and spark conversations about sustainability. Every page we built, every layout we revised, reminded me why I fell in love with this work — because problem-solving becomes more powerful when it’s shared.
Creating this website wasn’t just a project. It was a turning point.
Contact
I am always looking for new and exciting opportunities!
Gayeong: 201-388-1643
Minjae Kang: 646-736-9230