James Piacentini

James Piacentini (M.Arch/MSUP ‘20) is a cartographer, designer, and educator. His research explores the intersection of urban spaces, social structures, and environmental systems. He is currently a Senior Map Designer at Mapbox, designing and implementing cartographic solutions for current and upcoming data layers, products, and features.

Prior to joining Mapbox, he worked as a product manager for digital services at the NYC Department of City Planning, directing the design and development of the Agency’s portfolio of public-facing digital applications and tools such as ZoLa, Population FactFinder, and the Online Zoning Resolution. He oversaw the implementation and launch of the Equitable Development Data Explorer, now used to generate Racial Equity Reports (RER) as part of the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP).

Piacentini also worked as a cartographer and data analyst at Apple where he designed and implemented public transit systems across the globe on Apple Maps, and served as an in-house design manager at Lincoln Center Development Corporation, working on campus-wide projects as well as the $500 million David Geffen Hall renovation.

He received his Master of Architecture and Master of Science in Urban Planning from Columbia GSAPP in 2020, where he also served on the University Senate for two years. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley in 2014.