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New York City 2050: Climate Change and Future of New York | Design for Resilience
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Abstract
The escalating temperature, annual precipitation, sea level rise and carbon footprint will likely lead to an unimagined future which does not have a bright side. With the rise in carbon footprint particularly due to greenhouse gas emissions, burning of fossil fuels and change in land uses; carbon dioxide is 40% higher as compared to era before Industrial Revolution. The constant increase in temperature is melting the glaciers and increasing the sea levels. The Hudson River is estimated to rise by 1.5-2ft by 2050, directly affecting the low-lying areas of Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan. Amongst the multiple coastal cities in the world, New York City is one of the most vulnerable to impacts of climate change. Surrounded by water from three sides, the impacts are disastrous with densely populated neighborhoods along the shoreline. The shoreline needs to be revitalized with the vibrancy and diversity city offers to the people. With the rise in hot summer days which are estimated to be 50 days against 18 days currently; it would generate a warmer island thereby increasing the overall energy demands. Hurricane Sandy struck the New York City in 2012 and had severe impacts which tested the limitations of the city’s planning capacities. The impact on houses, subway system, power stations and overall economy was a major setback costing USD 19 billion. The frequency of such floods and hurricanes would be higher by 2050. The research done observes the impact of climate change and develops a model for New York City’s riverfront in the Meat Packing District. Revitalizing the Gansevoort Peninsula by creating public, research and informative spaces would transform the neighborhood allowing locals and visitors to have a visionary approach for future. The strategies and research in the current project would provide an architectural response to the existing condition and a model to design a more resilient New York City for the future.
Type
thesis
Date
2017-05