Although power has been restored to much of Lower Manhattan, tenants of many of the area's residential and commercial buildings face a long and uncertain recovery before they can return. What will be the long-term effects on waterfront development?
With their lights back on and elevators operating, the easy part of repairing the many commercial and residential buildings in downtown Manhattan that suffered flood damage as a result of Superstorm Sandy is complete. However, according to N. R. Kleinfield, "the full extent of the damage to these buildings, which include major
office towers along Water, State and Front Streets, remains unclear.
Many owners are still furiously pumping out water, some of it
contaminated by toxins."
With "mechanical and
electrical systems destroyed by millions of gallons of water from
swollen rivers," and special cleanups required to clear contaminants, residents and office tenants like the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Morgan Stanley, The Daily News, and the Department of Homeless Services are learning that they may not be able to return to their homes and offices until Thanksgiving, or Christmas, or long after that.
With the potential adverse impacts of living and working near the city's waterfront now clear, Michelle Higgins looks at the prognosis for continued waterfront development. "Although real estate experts say property values are unlikely to suffer
in the long term, it is possible that new zoning and planning
regulations - and buyers' expectations - could reshape how residential
housing along the water is built, marketed and sold."
FULL STORY: Future Is in Limbo for the Damaged Buildings Close to the Water’s Edge
The Power of Urban Waterfronts
Humans' love of water makes waterways a particularly attractive urban amenity. Why did so many American cities let theirs languish?
River Scenes: How Rivers Contribute to More Vibrant Urban Communities
The role of rivers in urban areas shifted in recent years from production to consumption. Now, access to a river's waterfront has become a highly valued amenity within cities.
Saving Lower Manhattan
A debate over how to protect the East River waterfront from Sandy-level flooding and storm damage has delayed the project as community activists decry the city's last-minute change of plans.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises
Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.
Brightline West Breaks Ground
The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.
Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions
In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.
