Our Process
What Did this Master Plan Set Out to Achieve?
This master plan set out to define a viable resilience solution to adapt the Financial District and Seaport neighborhoods to the impacts of climate change. In Fall 2019, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and Mayor’s Office of Climate Resiliency (MOCR) launched a two-year public planning process, bringing together City agencies, local experts, and an interdisciplinary team led by the Dutch engineering firm, Arcadis, to shape the master plan. The master plan’s ultimate success depends on fostering widespread community support, ensuring technical feasibility, and charting a clear pathway to implementation.
Grounded in a Shared Vision
In developing this master plan, the City worked closely with representatives of the Lower Manhattan community, citywide organizations and individuals, and the broader public to reflect a shared vision for the waterfront. The Climate Coalition for Lower Manhattan (CCLM), a stakeholder group formed to guide this master plan, brought together residents, business representatives, community organizations, and environmental and resilience groups to actively shape the master plan.
Technically Feasible
Key to the master plan’s success is proposing a reliable and technically feasible flood defense system. To do this, the project team conducted extensive technical analyses, including studying how water in the East River moves during both coastal storms and normal weather conditions; the viability of different flood defense tools in this location; and the potential impacts to waterborne transportation and aquatic ecosystems. The project team also studied how the current drainage system works and developed a strategy to manage stormwater behind the proposed flood defense system.
Implementable
In addition to technical feasibility and community engagement, the master plan charts out a path through design, permits and approvals, and construction. While this includes many considerations, from funding to governance to constructability, state and federal permitting requirements will have the greatest impact on the final design. As implementation will require state and federal permits, it is critical that the City carefully balance these requirements with the master plan goals and City policy priorities.
Sustainable
In line with OneNYC2050 and the City’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, the master plan aims to guide the Financial District and Seaport’s adaptation to the impacts of climate change without compromising the needs of future generations.
What is the Climate Coalition for Lower Manhattan?
Members of the CCLM, the master plan’s primary stakeholder group, include representatives from:
- Alfred E. Smith Houses Resident Association, Inc.
- Alliance for Downtown New York
- C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group
- Financial District Neighborhood Association
- Manhattan Community Board 1
- Manhattan Community Board 3
- Natural Resources Defense Council
- New York League of Conservation Voters
- Pace University
- Partnership for New York City
- Pasanella and Son Vintners
- Real Estate Board of New York
- Rebuild by Design
- Resilient Cities Catalyst
- Rockefeller Foundation
- South Street Seaport Coalition, Inc.
- South Street Seaport Museum
- Trinity Church Wall Street
- Tri-State Transportation Campaign
- Trust for Governors Island
- Trust for Public Land
- Urban Assembly New York Harbor School
- Waterfront Alliance
- Assembly Member Niou
- Borough President Brewer
- Council Member Chin
- Congressman Nadler
- Senator Gillibrand
- Senator Schumer
- State Senator Kavanagh
Master Plan Goals
Building a Shared Vision: Engagement Timeline
Over two years, the City conducted extensive community outreach to ensure this master plan reflects a shared vision. The work was broken into four phases, described below. While engagement was ongoing, the project team organized meetings around key decision points and milestones to ensure transparency and meaningful engagement around master plan priorities and decision-making.
What we shared: What the latest science says about climate hazards this neighborhoods face now and in future; how other cities and countries are adapting the climate change; possible flood defense strategies
What we got feedback on: how to make this an open, equitable, and transparent planning process; the types of technical analyses to prioritize
What we shared: How existing conditions in the study area shape what is feasible; how the climate threats influence design ; early thinking around flood defense infrastructure
What we got feedback on: Guiding principle for the over all master panning process; what makes this area unique; what people want to see here in the future; over master plan foot print
What we shared: How Flood defense proposal focusing on narrow-to-moderate shore line extension to achieve the master plan's goals and reflect community feed back
What we got feedback on: How to make this an existing and inviting public space in the future; the width of the shoreline extension
What we shared: Conceptual design that incorporates community feedback; an implementation roadmap for funding and financing
What we got feedback on: feedback on the proposed design; priorities for implementation
Ongoing community Engagement
Covid-19 Pause
Spring 2020 - Summer 2020
Phase ILocal elementary schoolers learn about flood risks in Lower manhattan at Public Open House #1 The project team virtually presents the master plan to attendees at Public Open House #4. Fall 2019 - Winter 2020
Assess existing conditions, and being key system analyses Phase II
Spring 2020 - Winter 2021
Identify constrains and opportunities across systems and develop the broadest range of potential resilience solutions Phase III
Winter 2021 - Spring 2021
Phase IV
Spring 2021 - Fall 2021
Narrow the resilience solution based technical feasibility and community and regularity feedback Develop the conceptual design and implementation roadmap
Visit our Updates page here to see what was shared at each meeting and the feedback we received.