A Stronger, More Resilient New York

This summer, I am taking an elective course called "Sustainability and Social Studies" which we learn how to build and keep a sustainable society and how to pass this knowledge to students (as an education department, we always focus on knowledge delivery). One of the final exams is to conduct a small project in NYC about sustainability, and it can be any topic. Some is doing water contamination, some is doing garbage recycling, and some is doing organic food. Since we, APLP east-coast trip group, experienced Hurricane Sandy last year, I can not think of any better topic than "Post-Hurricane Sandy Reconstruction" for my personal project. With this theme, I went to Rockaway, one of the places in NYC damaged most heavily during Sandy, for collecting pictures. I would like to see what effort has NYC paid during the 8 months and what kind of changes should the city bring in to compete with the vulnerability.

"A Stronger, More Resilient New York" was announced by Mayor Michael Bloomberg on 11th June, 2013, a comprehensive plan that contains actionable recommendation both for rebuilding the communities impacted by Sandy and increasing the resilience of infrastructure and building citywide. Community and infrastructure, these two aspects have become my one-day trip's emphasis.

Sandy arrived in NYC on 29th Oct, 2012 and it was not until 30th May, 2013 that the subway service resumed to Rockaway, 7 months after Sandy. Among all peninsulas in NYC, Rockaway is the lowest in topography, no wonder it was devastated. Let's see after 8 months, what does the infrastructure look like?

1 hour 45 mins from west Manhattan to Roackaway by trian

This community looks good, because it locates in downtown

Waterfront buildings in uptown, under construction

Closer look

Rebuilt boardwalks

under-rebuilt boardwalks

Have no idea of these houses, why are they built over the water?

East 39th 1st Ave. Manhattan (Photo taken by Yuan on Nov. 1st 2012)

Same place as above, July 26th, 2013

Photo collecting is just the first minor step of the project. Now that The SIRR (NYC Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency) has released its 400 pages' final report on how to be stronger and resilient, I will start tougher work now >.<.

Glad to share some of my summer life here with APLPers. This is going to be my last blog. Keep in touch boys and girls!!