[4][5] He is Chair of the Board of Center for Active Design, a nonprofit organization supports public health by increasing opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating through the design of the built environment, established in 2012 as a key initiatives from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Obesity Taskforce.
[6][7] Mr. Burney is the first architect to have served as Commissioner of the Department of Design and Construction ("DDC"), from 2004 to 2014, the entity charged with managing capital projects for multiple city agencies, including the NYC Departments of Transportation and Environmental Protection, and borough-wide cultural institutions, such as libraries, courthouses, fire stations, and police precincts, and museums.
[10] Prior to leading DDC, Mr. Burney was Director of Design and Capital Improvement of the New York City Housing Authority ("NYCHA") from 1990 to 2003.
While at NYCHA, Mr. Burney oversaw the construction and renovation of 100 community center facilities, often attached to affordable housing developments.
Burney has produce influential publications, including The “Active Design Guidelines” report, in collaboration with the NYC AIA.