The new boardwalk at Rockaway Beach shows how sea level rise is requiring new design and infrastructure decisions for the resilience of coastal communities.
"Beachgoers in this New York City oasis [of Rockaway Peninsula] can now flip-flop along a fully rebuilt boardwalk, one that reflects a coastal reimagination underway along the Mid-Atlantic and that heralds the staggering costs ahead of adapting to a changing climate," reports John Upton.
The old wooden boardwalk at Rockaway Beach "has been replaced by more than five miles of sand-toned concrete atop 50 million pounds of sandbags and a retaining wall that holds in place new sand dunes," writes Upton. The design will "protect residents and residences from storm surges."
The article includes in-depth reporting on the experience of Hurricane Sandy on Rockaway beach, along with all the details and context for the new boardwalk and coastal resilience project.
For more information on the fanfare for the project's opening to the public just before Momorial Day weekend, see articles by Bill Parry for the Times Ledger and Katie Honan for DNA Info.
FULL STORY: New York Boardwalk Shows Climate Adaptation Costs
Army Corps Proposes Sea Barriers to Protect New York from Rising Seas
A massive infrastructure project is on the table in New York, after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a new feasibility study.
New Staten Island Zoning Rules Would Prohibit Most Development in Flood-Prone Areas
An article in Crain's Business New York calls the new zoning rules proposed for neighborhoods in Staten Island a "back to nature" scheme.
New York Updating its Flood Resilience Zoning
New York City intends to make sure that zoning codes are a tool for preventing the risks of flooding.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.
California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.
HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland