Led by the Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency, the East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) Project is an urban flood protection solution that spans 2.5 miles of Lower Manhattan, including the East Side. The project is the first element of coastal storm and sea level rise defense system for the East Side and Lower Manhattan.
Arcadis, a design and consultancy firm for natural and built habitats, will work in collaboration with the City of New York and local communities to design flood protection solutions that merge into the urban fabric for 200,000 residents and 21,000 businesses. The solutions will strengthen the coastal defenses and improve existing parks while offering future flood protection and environmental benefits.
Design features of the project will incorporate a combination of architectural floodwalls, bridging berms, embankments, moveable floodgates, and interior drainage improvements. Each of these new features will be integrated with East River Park amenities to include recreational facilities and pedestrian and bicycle pathways.
Additionally, Arcadis will develop supporting documentation necessary for changes to FEMA flood hazard maps. Bjarke Ingels Group is leading the Urban design for the project with Starr Whithouse providing landscape architecture services. CH2M Hill will handle marine engineering duties.
Related Stories
Resiliency | Oct 5, 2016
San Francisco’s 181 Fremont will become the most earthquake-resilient building on the West Coast
The building has achieved REDi Gold Rating, resilience-based design guidelines developed by Arup that establish a new benchmark for seismic construction.
Sustainability | Sep 22, 2016
Is ‘Growroom’ a glimpse into the future of urban agriculture?
Growroom’s spherical shape means it can also double as a covered outdoor public space.
Regulations | Aug 31, 2016
FEMA wants to toughen flood regulation on projects using federal funds
The proposal ‘would essentially rewrite the current 100-year flood standard.’
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Aug 22, 2016
The Hills of Governors Island reach completion one year ahead of schedule
The man made hills are the latest attraction to open on the island that has been under development since 2006.
Resiliency | Aug 10, 2016
White House pushes for better finance strategies for disaster mitigation and resilience
The move highlights innovative insurance, mortgage, tax, and finance-based strategies.
Seismic Design | Jul 28, 2016
Risk of man-made earthquakes now factor in seismic hazard analysis
Significant risk increases seen in some areas of the U.S.
Resiliency | Jul 27, 2016
New York’s resilience plans not taking long-term view, critics charge
Continued waterfront development may be regretted later this century.
Resiliency | Jul 18, 2016
Impact fees on development proposed to fund Miami’s rising sea level resiliency plans
$400 million flood plan includes new valves, pumps, and raised roadways.
Resiliency | Jun 1, 2016
Federal agencies boost standards for more resilient construction
HUD, FEMA, GSA, Army Corps of Engineers make policy changes.
Green | May 31, 2016
Miami Beach requires developers to meet green standards or pay a fee
Applies to structures larger than 7,000 sf.