The New York City Economic Development Corporation released a statement on March 15th that offered a few short-term, long-term and temporary solutions to the ongoing crisis of climate change — one of which included an extension of the Lower Manhattan shoreline.
The attempt at altering this urban feature is expected to derail the issue of rising sea levels and make the city more resilient toward them. The extension will be able to act as a "floor barrier during storms" and is a response to the alarming estimation that the neighborhood bordering the Lower Manhattan shoreline is "at high risk of flooding in the next 30 years." The proposed extension spans about a total of 500 feet — the equivalent of two blocks.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Sustainable Shoreline Extensions
- Opportunity for innovative construction companies to develop sustainable shoreline extension solutions to combat rising sea levels.
- Climate Change Resilience
- Potential for businesses to offer products and services that help cities become more resilient to the effects of climate change, such as storm barriers and flood prevention measures.
- Urban Infrastructure Adaptation
- Opportunity for urban planners and architects to design and implement infrastructure projects that can withstand climate-related challenges, such as shoreline extensions and flood protection systems.
Where This Applies
- Construction
- Construction companies can explore disruptive innovations in sustainable shoreline extension technologies and techniques.
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental engineering firms can offer expertise in developing climate change resilience strategies and solutions for cities.
- Architecture and Urban Planning
- Architects and urban planners can play a key role in designing and implementing climate-resilient infrastructure projects to protect coastal cities from the impacts of climate change.
