Seas Are Rising. We Can Use Our Landscapes to Protect Lower Manhattan

September 10, 2024
Climate & Biodiversity Water & Stormwater Women Landscape Architects LGBTQIA+ Landscape Architects Urban
The Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency (LMCR) Project, NY, NY / SCAPE

By Pippa Brasher and Adrian Smith

During Climate Week NYC, one of the world’s largest climate events, ASLA has organized a virtual and in-person event: Seas Are Rising. We Can Use Our Landscapes to Protect Lower Manhattan.

Discover how landscape architects are helping to protect Lower Manhattan from climate impacts through design. Learn about some of the most cutting-edge coastal risk reduction projects.

This free discussion on September 24 at 6 PM EST features Molly Bourne, ASLA, Principal, MNLA; Gonzalo Cruz, Vice President and Principal of Design, Landscape and Urban Design, AECOM; Greta Ruedisueli, ASLA, Associate, SCAPE; and Rachel Claire Wilkins, Affil. ASLA, Senior Landscape Designer, BIG/CSM.

After Superstorm Sandy, Manhattan below 14th street was without power for weeks. Storm surge flooded buildings and caused widespread infrastructure failures.

Since then, plans to create a more resilient Lower Manhattan have been shaped through efforts like NYC’s Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency and the Rebuild by Design competition. Landscape architects were heavily involved in both projects.

These plans have come together in The East Side Coastal Resiliency Project (ESCR) and The Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency (LMCR) Project.

The Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency (LMCR) Project, NY, NY / Bjarke Ingels Group

These are coastal protection initiatives aimed at reducing flood risk from coastal storms and sea level rise. They seek to increase resilience while preserving access to the waterfront and integrating public space.

As part of this new infrastructure, landscape architects are playing a critical role in combining flood defense with exciting new open space. We are integrating new infrastructure into the city’s fabric and harnessing nature.

The East Side Coastal Resiliency Project – along with other resilience efforts in Battery Park City, South Street Seaport, and the Financial District – are now well underway.

The East Side Coastal Resiliency Project in construction / MNLA
Register for the in-person event at SCAPE's offices in New York City (free for ASLA members and $10 for non-members).

Or the free virtual event.

For landscape architects, this free event will offer 1 hour of PDH (LACES / HSW).

Pippa Brashear, ASLA, is resilience principal and partner at SCAPE. Adrian Smith, FASLA, is team leader, Staten Island Capital Projects, NYC Parks.