article_walls to protect from water

Historically, cities have used walls to keep out threats from enemies, intruders, and invaders.  They were instituted as modes of militaristic self defense.  Today, Hoboken is proposing walls to keep a new enemy out - water.  Rather than providing piece-meal solutions for each individual structure, the mayor is proposing a more holistic approach. However, can a wall really be enough?  Hear more here.  I believe the mayor's approach is  a step in the right direction to think on a more urban scale.  However, there may be a more suitable and radical solution that can occur through research and consultant design collaboration.

article_re-thinking infrastructure with climate change

Today's interview on NPR discusses the need to re-think infrastructure in our cities, specifically in New York.  Con Edison, the most prevalent power supplier, says that the four of the five most devastating storms happened within the past 2.5 years.  This frequency of storms suggest climate is actually changing.  It is estimated that $800 million will be needed just to protect the 10 electric substations that flooded during Sandy.

article_NPR

This recent interview by NPR discusses how Sea Level Rise will not treat all coastal cities equally.  The eastern sea-board from North Carolina to Boston is in a more precarious location than the rest of the American East Coast.  American cities like Norfolk are now beginning to consider protection methods, while the UK and the Netherlands have been taking action for the past decade.

article_hurricane sandy

This article from the Huffington Post discusses recent natural disasters as being systemically caused by global warming.

images_hurricane sandy

Looking at the updates from Hurricane Sandy in New York City, the photographs appear surreal.  Sea Level rise happened in real time and its aftermath to urban life is not yet clear.  This type of flooding seems out of place amongst the Manhattan skyline.  The New York Times has infographics, maps, and images, to depict infrastructure failure and water inundation.  Some of its imagery mimics that of a proposal on this blog from ARO in 2008.

 NYTimes Map 10/30/12

ARO Map 2008

 

NYTimes Photo 10/30/12

 ARO Rendering 2008

Climate Change and Cities

After a long hiatus, and a submitted thesis, I quickly wanted to post this article relevant to climate change. This NPR Fresh Air interview talks about how the temperatures in the past 30 years have increased, and what a more moist planet means. Author Heidi Cullen further discusses how this will deeply impact our cities and infrastructure. She specifies examples of New York, Miami, and Alaska. Very insightful and easy to understand, I highly recommend this interview.

image_"floodhouse"

Disaster-proof house designed by the Powerhouse Company. "Its outer walls are solid and round, so waves can thrust around the house gracefully." I am not sure how well this would work. However, it is one of the most unusual forms I have seen for dealing with this. For more info and photos, click here.