In the Bronx, three acres of newly planted wetlands were destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. As New York seeks to fortify its coast, should it rebuild this 'Paradise in the Bronx'?
The vision of developer Steven Smith, who built the three acres of wetlands in exchange for the right to develop the remainder of the 28-acre site in the Bronx, the "verdant slopes and grassy marshes" that resulted from two years of planning, nine months of work, and $1.5 million, were "washed away in a matter of hours by Hurricane Sandy’s 13-foot storm surge."
"What remain are a few patches of marsh grass, a Charlie Brown-like evergreen and one lonely, weedy mound just below a concrete wall," writes Liz Robbins.
Smith would like to rebuild the habitat, but as the city explores wetland restoration as one of several methods to fortify its coast, just how to do that is an open question. “This has to be done properly,” he said, shaking his head. “This is an environmental disaster. And you don’t want to repeat this mistake again.”
"Based on what survived [boulders piled as riprap and a mile-long 15-foot-high cast-concrete wall], Mr. Smith advocates rebuilding by integrating, or layering, hard and soft materials," says Robbins.
"Kelly Risotto, whose Land Use Ecological Services designed the habitat...said her company, based in Medford on Long Island, would replant in the spring." However, "[a] spokeswoman for the Environmental Conservation Department said it was still evaluating plans for the wetlands."
FULL STORY: In the Bronx, Restoring a Fleeting Paradise
Progressive Planning in Ideologically Conservative Communities
Planners must work in diverse political environments including conservative jurisdictions that are skeptical of new issues and perspectives. Here are ways to reconcile conflicting goals.
Amtrak Expanding Service in California’s Central Valley
Amtrak is planning a major expansion to the passenger rail lines connecting the Central Valley and the Bay Area.
Lexington, Kentucky Passes Urban Growth Plan
The city’s new master plan sets out requirements for mixed-use development.
Opinion: Why Linking Driving to GDP Misses the Point
The argument that car-centric development is good because it boosts national GDP ignores the massive costs of driving to everyday Americans.
San Francisco’s BART Awarded $545 Loan for Upgraded Rail Cars
The agency plans to modernize its fleet with more efficient rail cars equipped with new safety features.
How Los Angeles County is Advancing Sustainability
A recently released report by the Chief Sustainability Office (CSO) shows that L.A. County is making progress on meeting the goals of the OurCounty Sustainability Plan.
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.
EMC Planning Group Inc.
University of Southern California
City of Meridian
American Planning Association, Sustainable Communities Division
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
Market Building Foundation Inc
Detroit Regional Partnership