New York City Waterfront Development in the Post-Sandy Era: The East Side Coastal Resiliency Project and Community Response

Zhanna Zakirzianova, Fordham University

Abstract

This thesis focuses on contemporary waterfront development and, more specifically, the impact a post-Sandy project has had on the coastal community in New York City. Since 2012, the city has launched many multi-actor initiatives to implement climate-resilient waterfront infrastructure. The plans and their implementation have been changing and reassessed numerous times. In the context of this research, I look at the east side of Manhattan along the East River Park. As a part of a resilience strategy, the city has released the East Side Coastal Resiliency megaproject plan, which will provide integrated flood protection. However, the existing East River park will have to be shut down for a few years, elevated, and rebuilt. The community is very resistant to these changes, as they have been invested in this space for decades. This research examines both sides of the conversation, looking at the planning and design proposals and the community actions and response. There are many components to this equation — such as the location, the existing infrastructure, required amenities, etc. Of most significance to the planned proposals is the urgent timeline, as climate-induced natural disasters do not wait for the landscape to be prepared.

Subject Area

Urban planning|Sustainability

Recommended Citation

Zakirzianova, Zhanna, "New York City Waterfront Development in the Post-Sandy Era: The East Side Coastal Resiliency Project and Community Response" (2021). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI28545993.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI28545993

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