Soaring skyscrapers flank historic cobblestone streets. Wall Street borders quaint storefronts. Bustling days are balanced with easygoing weekends along the water. As next-door neighbors, the Financial and Seaport Districts make a dynamic duo.
But the distinct and vibrant character of these two neighborhoods also makes them particularly susceptible to flooding. The density of buildings, low-lying streets, an active waterfront, and complex transportation infrastructure present unique challenges. Realizing traditional flood protection measures would not be feasible, New York City leaders turned to Arcadis to design a bold, new FiDi flood mitigation and climate resilience plan.
Our specialists are helping city leaders advance Financial District climate resilience by creating a comprehensive action plan to protect the vicinity from climate change threats like increased storm surge, tidal waves, and severe rainfall.
The climate resilience strategy centers on a conceptual design that could include extending Lower Manhattan’s shoreline up to 500 feet, or two full city blocks. Elevating land to 20 feet or more above sea level, the shoreline will act as a flood barrier during storms and protect the area from rising sea levels. Additionally, our resilience experts will integrate the transportation, maritime, and interior drainage infrastructure needed to support the shoreline extension.
Connected to New York City’s comprehensive resiliency strategy for Lower Manhattan, this climate resilience master plan will also consider the climate adaptation measures happening throughout the borough.
Community support is crucial; our team will reach out extensively to the public and create immersive and innovative opportunities for residents to give input on the design of the Seaport flood protection system. In early 2020, the team successfully hosted an immersive open house where participants learned about climate risk and its impact on Lower Manhattan. The team also recently launched an online engagement portal, a website where visitors can learn about the project and share their insights and feedback, all from the comfort and safety of their own home.
The climate resilience master plan will detail a clear path forward, including how the project will be financed, constructed, and managed throughout its phased approach. Protecting the Seaport and Financial Districts is only one part of New York City’s comprehensive resiliency strategy but is essential to protecting residents and ensuring Lower Manhattan’s livelihood well into the next century.
Hurricane Sandy showed us how vulnerable areas like Lower Manhattan are to climate change. That's why we not only have to reduce emissions to prevent the most cataclysmic potential effects of global warming, but we also have to prepare for the ones that are already inevitable. Our actions will protect Lower Manhattan into the next century.
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