President Obama has named Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión Jr. to direct the new White House Office of Urban Affairs. He will be the Administration’s point person to coordinate urban policy areas, including urban development, education, health care, and public safety. Carrión is an urban planner by training. During his tenure as Bronx Borough President, he helped oversee the addition of 40,000 new units of housing as well as new schools, parks, and infrastructure projects. Carrión is expected to work closely with HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan in developing urban policy. Obama also named Derek Douglas, director of New York Gov. David Paterson’s Washington office, to work with Carrión as special assistant to the president for urban affairs.  read more…