Critics charge that New York City’s approach to resiliency in the face of climate-change-induced sea level rise is shortsighted.
New development in Manhattan and Columbia University’s new Manhattanville campus will be at risk in 50 to 80 years, they say. Mayor Bill de Blasio is focused on “an election time scale,” not a more realistic timetable given the challenges the city faces, critics assert.
In the end, the only reasonable approach to city planning over a longer time scale is “managed retreat” to higher ground, according to engineers focused on resiliency. One of the main drivers of "managed retreat" is likely to be the rising costs of flood insurance.
Congress has failed to reform the National Flood Insurance Protection, which is now $23 billion in debt. If property losses increase as expected, reform and insurance rates will go up to the point where people will choose to live in lower risk areas in New York and other coastal areas.
Related Stories
Sponsored | Resiliency | Jan 24, 2022
Blast Hazard Mitigation: Building Openings for Greater Safety and Security
Microgrid | Jan 16, 2022
Resilience is what makes microgrids attractive as back-up energy controls
Jacobs is working with clients worldwide to ensure mission critical operations can withstand unexpected emergencies.
Sponsored | BD+C University Course | Jan 12, 2022
Total steel project performance
This instructor-led video course discusses actual project scenarios where collaborative steel joist and deck design have reduced total-project costs. In an era when incomplete structural drawings are a growing concern for our industry, the course reveals hidden costs and risks that can be avoided.
Resiliency | Oct 19, 2021
Achieving resiliency through integrated design
Planning for and responding to the effects of adverse shocks and stresses is typically what architects and engineers have always thought of as good standard design practices.
Resiliency | Aug 19, 2021
White paper outlines cost-effective flood protection approaches for building owners
A new white paper from Walter P Moore offers an in-depth review of the flood protection process and proven approaches.
Resiliency | Aug 19, 2021
White paper outlines cost-effective flood protection approaches for building owners
A new white paper from Walter P Moore offers an in-depth review of the flood protection process and proven approaches.
Resiliency | Aug 4, 2021
A new team forms to assess climate change’s effects on the built environment
Arup and First Street Foundation are using extensive datasets to develop risk-mitigating resilience solutions.
Resiliency | Jul 15, 2021
A new report urges federal investment in healthier buildings
The National Institute of Building Sciences also calls for code changes and greater cooperation between building owners and the AEC community.
Resiliency | Jun 24, 2021
Oceanographer John Englander talks resiliency and buildings [new on HorizonTV]
New on HorizonTV, oceanographer John Englander discusses his latest book, which warns that, regardless of resilience efforts, sea levels will rise by meters in the coming decades. Adaptation, he says, is the key to future building design and construction.
High-rise Construction | May 27, 2021
The anti-high rise: Seattle's The Net by NBBJ
In this exclusive video interview for HorizonTV, Ryan Mullenix, Design Partner with NBBJ, talks with BD+C's John Caulfield about a new building in Seattle called The Net that promotes wellness and connectivity.