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How The LES, Red Hook, & Rockaways Might Look With Hurricane Fortification
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Apr 3, 2014
Modified Apr 3, 2014
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Apr 3, 2014
Modified Apr 3, 2014
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As the UN patiently reminded us in its most recent report on climate change, preparation prevents annihilation. Today ten teams of architects and planners have released their renderings for how the city can intelligently strengthen New York City's waterfront. Instead of fortification by fiat (ahem, remember Seaport City?), the teams embarked on an extensive campaign to engage with communities in Red Hook, Lower Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Rockaways to address their needs within their designs for rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy.
The ideas are part of a project called Rebuild by Design, convened at the request of HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. An expert panel of judges will choose some of the ideas, which may then be financed with some of the $4 billion in federal funding that is being allocated for rebuilding after the storm.
These videos neatly sum up the work of two teams: BIG, which designed the "BIG U" around Lower Manhattan, and The HR&A/Cooper Robertson team, which focused on Red Hook, Far Rockaway, and Asbury Park. Bear in mind that silly Photoshop illustrations are just How We Build Things Now.
Day In the Life BIG-Team from Rebuild by Design on Vimeo.
HR&A w CRP from Rebuild by Design on Vimeo.
There's more on Rebuild by Design's website, and New York Magazine interviewed some of the project's principals.
Tagged
climate change
global warming
hurricane sandy
Lower East Side
Rebuild by Design
red hook
rockaways
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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