Tree-huggers many of them are not, but there's consensus among Long Island developers that storm resilience is an investment worth making.
The unpleasant memory of Hurricane Sandy is bound to be at the top of Long Island developers' minds right about now. Here, Maura McDermott looks at how builders are handling the very real risk of future floods.
"'In a post-superstorm Sandy Long Island, there is a heightened awareness of where the high-risk flood zones are,' said Kyle Strober, executive director of the Association for a Better Long Island, a builders' trade group. 'The 100-year flood storms are happening every 10 years now, and that means only the very forgetful or the high-stakes gamblers are building on the ground level today.'"
Under local and state law, McDermott writes, "developers are required to protect buildings in high-risk flood zones by constructing strong foundations, elevating buildings and electrical systems and using storm-resistant materials, among other measures. But developers say they are going beyond those requirements."
For some, the risk from storms takes precedence over politics. "'The last person you're going to talk about being a tree-hugger is me,' [RXR Realty senior Vice President Joe Graziose] said. 'This is all about infrastructure. At the end of the day, you want to build something that's going to last a long time.'"
FULL STORY: LI developers spend millions to protect from future storms
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.
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Neighborhoods not previously at risk of flooding face new challenges as burn scars from recent fires leave them vulnerable to floods.
In Battery Park City, Public Infrastructure Meets Climate Resilience
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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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.
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Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont