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New York City's 'green defense' against sea levels rising
If water levels rise due to climate change, New York City is particularly at risk.
The island of Manhattan is seen here in this aerial file photo. If water levels rise due to climate change, the city will be particularly vulnerable.
Rafael Ben-Ari/Chameleons Eye/Newscom
Climate change is predicted to pose some low probability but highly risky scenarios for New York City when the water rises. Rather than passively accepting this risk, New York City can choose to shed some of its "victim status" by being pro-active. A group of architects have sensed this and are seizing this niche. The New York Magazine has recently profiled their ideas .
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Mathew is an economics professor at UCLA and has written three books: Green Cities (Brookings Institution Press); Heroes and Cowards (Princeton University Press, jointly with Dora L. Costa); and in fall 2010, Climatopolis: How Our Cities Will Thrive in the Hotter World (Basic Books).
Recent posts
1. Aro and Dlandstudio argue that lower manhattan could erect a defense line of giant grassy sponges that would be "fingers of wetlands". How absorptive would this pretty defense be?
2. LTL Arichitects want a Venice feel to this part of the city.
3. SCAPE pushes a vision of oyster farms. They would "Purify the harbor and soften waves." I have no idea if this is true but it would help to diversify the Manhattan economy.
4. Matthew Baird eyes the oil tanks on the New Jersey side of the river as a possible source of renewable power
5. nArchitects; wants to cut channels deep into sunset park and build watery neighborhoods (that look like Amsterdam or Venice). New apartment buildings will be needed these builds would float rather than sink.
While I am not in the business of "picking winners", do you agree that anticipated challenges generate beneficial competition?
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