NYC's Post-Sandy Coastal Defense
New York City's East Side Coastal Resiliency Project, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), is a key case study in resilient urban design. The project, born from Hurricane Sandy's devastation, demonstrates a more democratic and integrated approach to planning large-scale coastal infrastructure that combines flood protection with public amenities.
The East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) project is a direct response to Hurricane Sandy in 2012, which caused extensive flooding and power outages in the Lower East Side. The $1.45 billion initiative is jointly funded by New York City and the federal government, which contributed $338 million. It aims to protect over 110,000 residents, including 28,000 in public housing, along a 2.4-mile stretch from Montgomery Street to East 25th Street. The project's core strategy involves raising the 57.5-acre East River Park by an average of 8-9 feet to create a resilient barrier against storm surges. This comprehensive plan includes floodwalls, 18 floodgates, and reconstructed bridges to improve park access. The design, part of the larger "BIG U" concept, integrates this critical flood protection with enhanced public amenities, including new sports facilities, an amphitheater, and improved waterfront access. Construction began in the fall of 2020 and is scheduled for completion in 2026. The work is being phased to keep portions of the park, such as Asser Levy Playground and Murphy Brothers Playground, accessible to the public throughout the process. As of September 2025, the project transitioned to its second phase, reopening most amenities south of the Williamsburg Bridge while closing the northern end of East River Park for reconstruction. The project has faced significant controversy, particularly regarding an abrupt 2018 change in plans that shifted from a simpler barrier along the FDR Drive to the full-scale park demolition and elevation. This redesign led to the removal of nearly 1,000 mature trees, sparking outrage from community groups like East River Park Action over the loss of green space and potential health impacts from synthetic turf and construction. Critics also raised concerns about transparency and the extended loss of park access for a predominantly low-income community.
