Toward a Rainproof NYC

During Hurricane Ida, New York City was caught off guard in its inability to handle intense and prolonged rainfall. Media and elected officials could not understand how NYC could deal with these issues. Against this backdrop, in July 2022, Rebuild by Design and One Architecture released a report, “Toward a Rainproof NYC.” It demonstrates how systematically-implemented green solutions and infrastructure strategies can be less expensive and still beneficial in dealing with significant weather events. The report outlines cost-effective solutions for dealing with heat islands, cleaning the air, offsetting carbon emissions, benefiting mental health, and providing space to improve physical health in NYC.

Rebuild by Design and One Architecture consulted with global cities, city contractors, multiple City agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Their three key findings are as follows:

  • A mix of City agencies work on a diversity of rainfall planning issues in silos. There is no comprehensive plan or coordination among them, and thus no accountability or innovation.
  • In neighborhoods with Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) challenges, NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has worked to meet federal Clean Water Act standards. NYC DEP has also piloted “cloudburst” neighborhoods for those with the most significant risk of heavy rainfall. DEP’s work is praiseworthy, but it must be implemented systematically. There should be comprehensive planning in neighborhoods across the city.
  • Agencies rely on DEP’s budget for green infrastructure projects. This leaves behind opportunities to address rainfall in every piece of NYC infrastructure. A greater budget for green infrastructure is needed.

Additionally, the report provides recommendations with respect to Leadership, Better Planning, Governance, and Budget. Three key recommendations are as follows:

  • A comprehensive citywide plan should be created through community collaboration, focusing on equity and beginning with the most vulnerable communities.
  • New York City should lead the way on climate change. Every agency needs to ensure that all capital investment retains and detains rainwater. “Rainproof” must be the new standard.
  • Green infrastructure should always be used instead of gray infrastructure. When infrastructure cannot be green, it should be multi-purpose, providing co-benefits.

Publication Date: July 2022

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  • Adaptation plan

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