Among the most urgent planning issues for the region’s waterfronts today are how vulnerable communities can protect their coastlines and neighborhoods, and become more resilient. In Lower Manhattan, those communities carry major significance for the NY Metro area’s economy, transportation, and vitality. Join us for three interconnected events about waterfront resilience in Lower Manhattan during NY Water Week 2023:

1. Educational Workshop on resiliency issues in Lower Manhattan (10:30am-12:00pm)
2. Networking Lunch for both students and professionals (12-1pm)
3. Walking Tour in Lower Manhattan led by resiliency professionals (1-3pm)

Registration: Join us for any one event, or for all three. Space is limited.
Location: Cornell University Gensler Family AAP NYC Center, 26 Broadway, 20th Floor, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Co-Sponsors: Cornell AAP (Architecture Art Planning), Cornell University, American Planning Association NYMetro Chapter Waterfront Committee

Educational Workshop: Predictions and Progress (10:30am-12:00pm)

This educational workshop will address resiliency issues that are most prominent in Lower Manhattan beginning with predictions for its major climate change vulnerabilities and followed by how to plan and design solutions to reduce risks, including using data and technology. Participants will have an opportunity to work together on key questions raised by the speakers.

Moderator:

Robert W. Balder, Executive Director, Cornell AAP, Gensler Family AAP NYC Center; and Co-chair, APA NYMetro Waterfront Committee

Speakers:

Joseph Sutkowi, WEDG, Chief Waterfront Design Officer, Waterfront Alliance

Andrew Buck, AICP, Senior Urban Planner & Technologist, VHB

Karen Appell, PE, Vice President & Climate Adaptation Lead, AECOM Metro New York

Pippa Brashear, RLA, Resilience Principal, Partner SCAPE

Networking Lunch ( 12-1pm)

This casual lunch will bring together both young and experienced professionals for networking around waterfront resiliency planning.

Walking Tour: Progress and Plans (1-3pm)

The walking tour will be conducted by professionals who have been working on projects to reduce risks from climate change in Lower Manhattan. Speakers will show you their progress and plans for some of the major waterfront areas in Lower Manhattan, including the Financial District, The Battery, and Battery Park City.  

Moderator:

Bonnie A. Harken, AIA, President, Nautilus International Development Consulting, Inc.; and Co-chair APA NY Metro Waterfront Committee

Speakers:

Alexis A. Taylor, Vice President of Climate Resilience, New York City Economic Development Corporation

Elizabeth Capiro, Chief Resilience Planner, Climate Resilience & Sustainability Planning, MTA Construction & Development

Varun Kohli, FAIA, LEED AP, Assistant Vice President, Real Properties, Planning & Design, Battery Park City Authority

Gonzalo Cruz, ASLA, Vice President, Design Principal, NYC Landscape Architecture & Urban Design, AECOM

Isabelle Stinnette, Restoration Program Manager, NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program, Hudson River Foundation

We are grateful for the support of this program by AECOM, Cornell University, and VHB.