Eric H. Wilson is an assistant commissioner of planning and predevelopment for the New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development. Next City asked him to share his thoughts about his work, his favorite city, challenges for today’s young urban leaders and more. (Connect with him on Twitter @talofaeric.)

I get to work by: Bike and subway

The area I grew up in is: Suburbs (Littleton, Colorado)

What was your first job? I was a baggage handler at Denver’s old airport. I fell in love with the symphony of behind-the-scenes activities that take place while passengers file on and off airplanes. It got me thinking about the way that cities work.

What is your favorite city and why? Damascus, Syria. The physical structure of the city’s core invokes the best of classical urbanism.

Favorite public space in your city? The Brooklyn Museum holds free events on the first Saturday of each month. These are always packed with the super-diverse crowd that is Brooklyn. Where else can you party together with recent Caribbean immigrants and orthodox Jewish folks?

Did you always want to be a city planner? No, I wanted to be a bike mechanic and focus my time on restoring old bicycles. I still want to do that when I grow up.

What do you like most about your current job? I get to learn new things every day from my colleagues, the most dedicated and intelligent people I know.

What is the coolest project you’ve worked on? I created a plan for downtown Al Ain in the UAE, the only central business district I know of with a real functioning oasis!

Coverage of Eric’s plan for Al Ain from Gulf News, June 2012

What are the hard parts about your job? Sometimes I feel like my efforts to create affordable housing in New York City are an undetectable drop in the bucket of need.

What is the biggest challenge facing cities today? Both growing and shrinking cities must accommodate residents with highly varied means and needs. Doing so with equity and resiliency is their greatest challenge.

What makes a successful leader? A bold and inspiring vision, with a sincere interest in new ideas and perspectives.

What’s your BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal)? I want to restore American urbanism and its belief in cities.

What’s the best professional advice you have received? Always push your comfort zone. That’s the only way that you learn.

What do you look for when hiring someone? I want to understand the underlying passions of someone I’m interviewing: What gets them excited? What kinds of challenges do they relish?

What career advice would you give an emerging urban leader? Develop your sense of empathy and listen to others before you act.