The Fluid Commons: Climate Gentrification and other Detroit River Futures by Maria Arquero de Alarcon

Climate Gentrification and other Detroit River Futures Jiayao Chen, Shihua Chen, Yaqiao Liao, and Yuli Wang URP 551/Arch 509: The Fluid Commons, Fall 2020

Why it Matters? Lexicon Policy Frameworks Climate and Weather FEMA Flooding Maps Material Index Development Patterns SocioEconomic Data Focus Areas Precedents Climate Ready Game Card

Climate Gentrification and other Detroit River Futures

Why it Matters? Lexicon Policy Frameworks Climate and Weather FEMA Flooding Maps Material Index Development Patterns SocioEconomic Data Focus Areas Precedents Climate Ready Game Card

Why it Matters?

Climate Change threatens to disrupt the function and livability of cities worldwide. Although the Detroit River communities are not projected to face the drastic effects of rising sea levels in delta areas, climate models indicate that the region will experience higher temperatures, more frequent and intense precipitation events, and larger fluctuations in the Great Lakes levels.

Climate Futures Card Stock

The Detroit Riverside Communities face distinct challenges in the transition to low carbon economic system from a yet strong presence of industrial uses in the region. In this journey, low income communities in flood prone areas will be particularly impacted. Will climate gentrification become a threat in the region? How can communities become climate-ready?

Why It Matters?

According to climate projections, the average annual temperature in the largest riverside city, Detroit, is expected to increase 1.5-5.4°F by 2050. In the wake of increasing temperatures and changing climate conditions, smaller municipalities are recognizing the need to focus on climate action and take action. Given the outdated CSO sewage infrastructure in the region, the impacts of the climate projections will place further strain on the riverside communities’ ability to provide services and keep its most vulnerable residents safe. Given the potential influence of Climate Gentrification, these effects will increase the cost of housing and its maintainance, especially for the low-income residents. So it’s important to assess how the riverside communities can lower their current impact on the environment to prepare for climate change. Efforts to provide more comprehensive climate action involve both mitigation and adaptation strategies. Mitigation aims to decrease the extent of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Adaptation aims to decrease the impacts from climate change by identifying distinct places and groups of people that may be disproportionately affected by a changing climate.

Image reference: http://dx.doi.org/10.3998/mjs.12333712.0002.004 | © Natalie Sampson1, Kimberly Hill Knott

Lexicon

The agency of design in the quest for a wider mobilization of society in favor of decisive climate action starts with the capacity to enable wider access to complex scientific data. Using simple language in our climate work with communities across the globe may facilitate the collective understanding of trends, risks and opportunities ahead.

Lexicon

Climate and Weather The difference between weather and climate is a measure of time. Weather is what conditions of the atmosphere are over a short period of time, and climate is how the atmosphere “behaves” over relatively long periods of time. Weather is basically the way the atmosphere is behaving, mainly with respect to its effects upon life and human activities. The difference between weather and climate is that weather consists of the short-term (minutes to months) changes in the atmosphere. Source: NASA Mission: Climate

Global Warming Global warming is the unusually rapid increase in Earth’s average surface temperature over the past century primarily due to the greenhouse gases released by people burning fossil fuels. Source: Nasa Earth Observatory

Climate Change Climate change refers “to changes in long-term weather patterns caused by natural phenomena and human activities that alter the chemical composition of the atmosphere through the build-up of greenhouse gases which trap heat and reflect it back to the earth’s surface.” Source: Climate Change Adaptation Plan

Image reference: Dearborn Heights Flooding, by Max Ortiz in the Detroit News

Increasing home prices

High-income households

Superior Investment Low-income households

Maintanc cost increase

Cost-burden Investment Low-income households

Increasing home prices

Resilience Investment

Lexicon

Climate Gentrification The term “climate gentrification” was first explored comprehensively in a 2018 study about housing prices in Miami-Dade County. This hurricane-prone region has been closely studied to serve as an example of resilience and recovery in response to climate change and natural disasters. The 2018 study from Harvard University proposed three mechanisms instigating climate gentrification: (1) the “Superior Investment” mechanism, where climate-resilient properties are more desirable, so prices increase and only high-income households can afford living there; (2) the “Cost-burden” mechanism, where low-income residents in less resilient neighborhoods cannot afford the expenses associated with the impacts caused by recurring natural disasters; and (3) the “Resilience Investment” mechanism occurs when a neighborhood has climate resilience infrastructure, which makes it more expensive and unaffordable. In Miami Dade county, home prices were increasing in most neighborhoods, but areas at higher elevations saw larger increases. In fewer than 50 years, areas less than a foot above sea level are predicted to be underwater.

image references: http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/ by Aparna Nathan

National Flood Insurance Program

Cumulative Claims

Total Number of Policies in Force September 30, 2016

Lexicon

Flood Insurance The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides financial support to help reduce the socio-economic impact of floods. The Federal Emergency Management Agency manages the program that is delivered to the public by a network of approximately 60 insurance companies and the NFIP Direct. This way, rates are set by the government and do not differ from company to company or agent to agent. The NFIP provides financial coverage to property owners, renters and businesses to help them recover faster when floodwaters recede. The NFIP also encourages communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations that help mitigate the effects of flooding. Flood insurance is available to anyone living in one of the 23,000 participating NFIP communities. Homes and businesses in high-risk flood areas with mortgages from government-backed lenders are required to have flood insurance. Flood Insurance can be costly and represent a heavy economic burden to low income households. In order to reduce the insurance premium, an owner would need to reduce flood risks, chose a higher deductible, or engage in active community mitigation efforts.

image references: https://www.nrdc.org/| © Fema

Current and Proposed FEMA Maps in Jefferson Chalmers

Lexicon

FEMA’s Flood Risk Map Part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Flood Risk Mapping is at the basis of the NFIP regulations and flood insurance requirements. FEMA’s flood mapping program is called Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning, or Risk MAP.

Flood Zones Flood hazard areas identified on the Flood Insurance Rate Map are identified as a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). These are areas that will be inundated by the flood event having a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year, also referred to as the base flood or 100year flood. SFHAs are labeled as Zone A, Zone AO, Zone AH, Zones A1-A30, Zone AE, Zone A99, Zone AR, Zone AR/ AE, Zone AR/AO, Zone AR/A1-A30, Zone AR/A, Zone V, Zone VE, and Zones V1-V30. The FIRM also shows moderate flood hazard areas, labeled Zone B or Zone X (shaded) , and are the areas between the limits of the base flood and the 0.2-percent-annual-chance (or 500-year) flood. The areas of minimal flood hazard, which are the areas outside the SFHA and higher than the elevation of the 0.2-percent-annual-chance flood, are labeled Zone C or Zone X (unshaded).

Image references: detroitmi.org| at FEMA

Map 1. Adaptation actions in selected OECD countries Map 1. Adaptation actions in selected OECD countries Canada: Toronto mandates that new large buildings install Canada: Toronto mandates green roofs to help keep the city that large install cool new during thebuildings summer and green help keepelectricity the city reduceroofs thosetobuildings’ cool during the consumption bysummer 5-15%. and reduce those buildings’ electricity consumption by 5-15%.

Denmark: Copenhagen creates new green spaces and waterways Denmark: creates to deal withCopenhagen flash floods through green spaces and waterways anew cloudburst management plan, to deal with through reducing theflash needfloods for costly a cloudburst management plan, upgrades of the drainage system. reducing the need for costly upgrades of the drainage system.

Mexico: Mexico rewards farmers for preserving Mexico: Mexico rewards forest cover, helping to farmers for preserving protect downstream forest supplies, cover, helping water whileto also protect downstream preserving biodiversity. water supplies, while also preserving biodiversity.

5 5

Japan: Yokohama built a 17,000 seat stadium on stilts to allow space Japan: Yokohama a 17,000 for excess water tobuilt go during floods. seat stadium on stilts to allow space for excess water to go during floods.

Australia: Sydney saves 19 billion litres of drinking water each Australia: Sydney saves 19 billion year by encouraging sustainable litres of drinking each lawns behaviours, suchwater as watering year bythe encouraging during evening. sustainable behaviours, such as watering lawns during the evening.

Adaptation actions in selected OECD Countries

M O N I T O R I N G A N D E VA L U AT I O N M O N I T O R I N G A N D E VA L U AT I O N

Robust monitoring and evaluation is needed to inform policy development Robust monitoring and evaluation is needed to inform policy development Given the scale of the adaptation challenge, it is essential policy learning and strengthen accountability by tracking that effective approaches are being adopted and Given the scaleMonitoring of the adaptation challenge, is essential implemented. and evaluation canit improve that effective approaches are being adopted and implemented. Monitoring and evaluation can improve

how resources are spent and whether the policy or policy and strengthen projectlearning is delivering as expectedaccountability (OECD, 2015d).by tracking how resources are spent and whether the policy or project is delivering as expected (OECD, 2015d).

Four key tools for monitoring and evaluation of adaptation are: 1.Four Climate change risk and vulnerability assessments canare: provide a baseline of domestic vulnerabilities to climate key tools for monitoring and evaluation of adaptation change against which progress on adaptation can be reviewed. If repeated, such assessments can also demonstrate 1. Climate risk and vulnerability assessments how riskschange and vulnerabilities are changing over time. can provide a baseline of domestic vulnerabilities to climate change against which progress on adaptation can be reviewed. If repeated, such assessments can also demonstrate 2. how Indicators facilitate an assessment of progress risks and vulnerabilities are changing over made time. in addressing adaptation priorities. However, indicators cannot explain on their own how the change came about. Reporting on, and using indicators, is resource intensive. They 2. Indicators facilitate an assessment progress made in addressing adaptation priorities. However, indicators cannot must therefore be carefully defined,of and when possible, draw on existing data sources. explain on their own how the change came about. Reporting on, and using indicators, is resource intensive. They 3. must Project and programme helppossible, to identify what adaptation are effective in achieving therefore be carefullyevaluations defined, andcan when draw on approaches existing datatosources. agreed adaptation objectives and to understand what some of their enabling factors for success may be. 3. Project and programme evaluations can help to identify what approaches to adaptation are effective in achieving 4. agreed National audits and climate and expenditure reviews examine if their resources allocated forfor adaptation are be. appropriately adaptation objectives to understand what some of enabling factors success may targeted and allocated cost-effectively. This information may be particularly useful when resources are specifically 4. National and climate expenditure reviews examine if resources allocated for adaptation are appropriately earmarkedaudits for adaptation. targeted and allocated cost-effectively. This information may be particularly useful when resources are specifically earmarked for adaptation.

6 - OECD POLICY PERSPECTIVES Adapting to the impacts of climate change 6 - OECD POLICY PERSPECTIVES Adapting to the impacts of climate change

Lexicon

Climate Adaptation Adaptation means anticipating the adverse effects of climate change and taking appropriate action to prevent or minimize the damage they can cause, or taking advantage of opportunities that may arise. Well planned, early adaptation action saves money and lives later. Examples of adaptation measures include: using scarce water resources more efficiently; adapting building codes to future climate conditions and extreme weather events; building flood defenses and raising the levels of dykes; developing drought-tolerant crops; choosing tree species and forestry practices less vulnerable to storms and fires; and setting aside land corridors to help species migrate. There are three step to a risk-based approach to adaptation:

Identify Risks

Implement risk assessment studies

Collect Feedback

Examine the potential vulnerabilities range

Score risks by intensity and frequency of impact

Characterize Risks

Incorporate economic and social considerations Take dynamic nature of risks into account

Choose & Explore Policies

Inform policy making based on risks' characteristics

Notes: White paper - Adapting to climate change : towards a European framework for action Image: OECD - Adapting to the impacts of Climate Change

Community Resilience Framework

Climate Change Performance Index 2020

Lexicon

Community Resilience Community resilience is the ability to prepare for anticipated hazards, adapt to changing conditions, and withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions. Activities, such as disaster preparedness—which includes prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery—are key steps to resilience.

Climate Mitigation Climate Change Mitigation refers to efforts to reduce or prevent emission of greenhouse gases. Mitigation can mean using new technologies and renewable energies, making older equipment more energy efficient, or changing management practices or consumer behavior. It can be as complex as a plan for a new city, or as a simple as improvements to a cook stove design. Efforts underway around the world range from high-tech subway systems to bicycling paths and walkways.

Note: https://www.nist.gov/topics/community-resilience https://www.unenvironment.org/explore-topics/climate-change/what-we-do/ mitigation Image references: https://www.build-resilience.org/community-resilience-framework. php#governance By Efbrazil - Own work - https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index. php?curid=88165339

Lexicon

Climate Equity Climate equity means both protection from climate-related hazards as well as access to climate-related benefits for all, regardless of income, race, and other characteristics. Climate change is expected to disproportionally affect lowincome communities, even if they are the least responsible in the generation of emissions accelerating climate change. Yet with decisive action, these same communities could benefit from strategies to address and adapt to climate change.

Climate Vulnerability Climate Vulnerability refers to the degree to which people or the things they value are susceptible to, or are unable to cope with, the adverse impacts of climate change. ... There are three dimensions of vulnerability to climate change: Exposure: the degree to which people and the things they value could be exposed to climate variation or change. Sensitivity: the degree to which they could be harmed by that exposure. Adaptive capacity: the degree to which they could mitigate the potential for harm by taking action to reduce exposure or sensitivity.

Image references: Rendering Los Angeles Green | © 606 Studio

Policy Frameworks

Subjected to increased flooding occurrences, cities and organizations with an environmental missions are working on the development of studies and plans to address climate change and its impact in the most vulnerable communities.

2002

2009

2003

2011

2012

Policy Framework

Foundations for Community Climate Action: Climate Change Vulnerability in Detroit, 2012 Increasing warming trends are expected to continue throughout the 21st Century. Although 1.4°F seems like a modest change, small increases in average annual temperature drastically increase the probability of extreme weather, such as heat waves, excessive heat events, droughts, and torrential rains. On the ground, the increases in temperature and precipitation will create a diverse set of challenges for the City of Detroit’s municipal departments and its residents. The large number of excessive heat events can exacerbate the symptoms of other diseases, and increase the risk of heat exhaustion, heatstroke, or death. Because of Detroit’s combined sewer system, more frequent and more intense precipitation can increase the amount of untreated sewage released into the Detroit and Rouge Rivers. This increases Detroiters’ risk and exposure to waterborne diseases. Also, increased precipitation and flooding can cause severe damage to private property and public infrastructure. These and other adverse effects, of climate change will be discussed further in our Vulnerability Assessment section.

Author: Kelly Gregg, Peter McGrath, Sarah Nowaczyk, Andrew Perry, Karen Spangler, Taylor Traub, & Ben VanGessel, University of Michigan

Detroit Land Cover

Underlying Soil Type and Drainage

Policy Framework

Infrastructure Impacts: Flooding Exposure

Sewage

System

Compared to low-lying coastal cities such as New York or New Orleans, Detroit is not at risk from sea level rise or hurricane induced flooding. However, the projected high volume of precipitation may overwhelm Detroit’s combined sewer system and cause outfalls of untreated sanitary sewage into the waterways. When the sewer infrastructure cannot manage the stormwater runoff, excess volume is directly discarded into the Rouge and Detroit Rivers. Because the city is serviced by a combined sewer and wastewater system, these discharges also contain untreated sanitary sewage. In 2011, Detroit discharged 7 billion gallons of untreated sewage into the Great Lakes system, making it one of the largest sources of pollution in the Great Lakes system. While DWSD has embarked on significant grey infrastructure projects to address the discharge issue, the DWSD has not pursued green infrastructure projects that seek to deal with onsite stormwater before it reaches pipes.

Image references: Defining Climate Change Vulnerability in Detroit| © UMICH

Total Runoff Exposure by Block Group, 2010

Housing Sensitivity, per income and age, 2010

Policy Framework

Infrastructure Impacts: Household Flooding Exposure There are certain areas of the city that are more prone to the effects of flooding, and certain citizens would be impacted disproportionately. The household level analysis comprises the second component of the vulnerability assessment. The household flood risk exposure correlates highly to the household’s relative location to floodplains. Household flood risk sensitivity refers to how well a household is prepared to respond to that flood exposure. The exposure assessment used 100-year and 500-year FEMA maps to determine whether a household flood exposure. Many cities are finding that these designated areas are flooding with increased frequency. If this trend persists, the 500-year flood plain may become a more relevant area in addition to other low-lying areas. Moreover, areas along the Detroit River may be at increased risk in future years. Sensitivity to a given flood exposure was determined by the age of the housing stock and the median household income. Homes built before 1940 used a more porous concrete material for basement construction. Water flows easily and more rapidly into these foundations relative to foundations that were constructed in later years. Residents with higher incomes are more likely to renovate their homes to prevent flooding or to repair flood damage. Image references: Defining Climate Change Vulnerability in Detroit| © UMICH

Policy Framework

Climate Change Impacts on Western Lake Erie, Detroit River, and Lake St. Clair Water Levels By Deborah H. Lee, Ralph Moulton, Brad A. Hibner

This study studies potential impacts of global warming on water quantity issues. It was developed for the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Basin Project. The report stated the impacts of climate variability and change in four areas: water management, land use and management, ecosystem health and human health, adaptation strategies.Lake level frequencies for specific sites in the study areas, and potential movement of the shorelines due to decreases in mean lake levels, are illustrated by a series of maps. General surveys of impacts on wetlands, recreational boating, commercial navigation, and public water supply intakes are given. The objective of this study is to determine the means and frequencies of water levels given a changed climate resulting from a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

image references: https://www.voanews.com/usa/intense-rainfall-central-us-causing-southern-flooding

Policy Framework

Climate Change Impacts on Western Lake Erie, Detroit River, and Lake St. Clair Water Levels By Deborah H. Lee, Ralph Moulton, Brad A. Hibner The four study areas, Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River, the western basin of Lake Erie, and Long Point, are located within the states of Michigan and Ohio, and the province of Ontario. Many rich and sensitive wetlands are found in the study areas: the St. Clair Flats, Mouille Marsh, Long Point, and many others. They are home to diverse flora and fauna. The region surrounding the study areas is also home to the highly populated Detroit Metropolitan area, and the major cities of Toledo, Ohio and Windsor, Ontario. Their industries and municipalities depend in part on the lakes and river for water supply. The Canadian peninsula bounded by the lakes and river is an important agricultural region. More, commercial navigation and recreational boating also utilize the lakes and river.

Image source: Map of Study Areas, Climate Change Impacts on Western Lake Erie, Detroit River, and Lake St. Clair Water Levels

With a changed climate, St. Clair River and Detroit River flows decrease by 35% and 36%, respectively. Net basin supplies to Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie decrease by 65% and 10 I%, respectively. The decrease in total water supplies result in a drop in long-term average annual levels of 1.6 m for Lake St. Clair and 1.5 m for Lake Erie. Correspondingly, Detroit River levels decrease by 1.6 mat the head of the river and by 1.5 mat the mouth of the river.

Policy Framework

Climate Change Impacts on Western Lake Erie, Detroit River, and Lake St. Clair Water Levels By Deborah H. Lee, Ralph Moulton, Brad A. Hibner

Climate Change Scenario -Hydrologic Lake and River Levels. The climate change scenario used here was developed for Phase II of the International Joint Commission Levels Reference Study (International Joint Commission, 1993). Present Conditions Scenario -Hydrologic Lake and River Levels. A 38-year series (1952-1989) of monthly lake levels and outflows was used for comparison with the changed climate scenario. Computation of Storm Fluctuation Values. Storm fluctuation values were calculated for maximum and minimum instantaneous water levels recorded at American and Canadian gauges located in the study area. Application of CFP. The CFP was used to compute seasonal frequency curves of maximum and minimum instantaneous water levels for both a changed climate and the present climate.

Image source: The changes in long-term monthly mean levels for Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie are illustrated in Figures, Climate Change Impacts on Western Lake Erie, Detroit River, and Lake St. Clair Water Levels

Policy Framework

Climate Change Impacts on Western Lake Erie, Detroit River, and Lake St. Clair Water Levels By Deborah H. Lee, Ralph Moulton, Brad A. Hibner Impact Surface Area and Volume Because St. Clair is small, its surface area and volume would be affected by the decline in water levels. This affected the inflow of several river, Some small, shallow lakes and ponds may not exist and new islands would emerge in the delta’s near shore area. Wetlands Declined wetland and some new types of wetland may evolve, such as bogs, that could form in shallow lakes left as water recedes from the bays. Marinas/Recreational Boating Boating would be severely affected by low water levels. Most marinas will have insufficient depths within their basins to accommodate boats at long-term average climate change lake levels. The recession of the shoreline from less than 1 km to 6 km will make it impossible for boaters that use trailers to launch at existing ramps. The most significant problems will be lake access and adequate water depths. Image source: Plates, Climate Change Impacts on Western Lake Erie, Detroit River, and Lake St. Clair Water Levels

Policy Framework

Climate Change Impacts on Western Lake Erie, Detroit River, and Lake St. Clair Water Levels By Deborah H. Lee, Ralph Moulton, Brad A. Hibner Commercial Navigation Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River, and the western basin of Lake Erie form an important link in the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence commercial navigation route. The load capacity of ships will be greatly reduced, which will raise the cost per ton of shipping products. Commercial navigation will suffer from reduced loading capacity that may be partially offset by a longer navigation season. Maintaining current navigation depths through additional dredging and modification of locks will be expensive. Water Intakes Water intakes will experience periods when they cannot operate due to reduced water depths, especially during storm events. The loss of normal depths will reduce their demand capacity. More, Poor water quality, increased temperatures and contaminants,,and decreased dissolved oxygen.

Image :Plates, Climate Change Impacts on Western Lake Erie, Detroit River, and Lake St. Clair Water Levels

Policy Framework

Climate Change Impacts on Western Lake Erie, Detroit River, and Lake St. Clair Water Levels By Deborah H. Lee, Ralph Moulton, Brad A. Hibner Summary A decline in water levels would result in very significant decreases in water volume and surface area within the study areas. Under this scenario, mean water levels of Lake S1.Clair would decline by 1.6 m, and the mean level of Lake Erie would decline by 1.5 m. would decrease by as much as 37% in Lake St. Clair and 20% in Erie, and surface areas. Water volumes would decrease significantly resulting in significant losses of wetlands, freshwater estuaries and embankment wetlands, marinas/recreational boating, commercial navigation, and public water supply intakes.

Image source: Index of Plates, Climate Change Impacts on Western Lake Erie, Detroit River, and Lake St. Clair Water Levels

Policy Framework

Climate Change Adaptation Plan, 2017 By Karina Richters, Averil Parent, Kyle Bassett, Christina Schwantes. This Plan was developed by City of Windsor and ICLEI Canada Project Staff working closely with the Community Task Force as well as all City of Windsor departments. The Reasons The median temperature rises 1 °C(9.1°C in 1960-1989 to 10.1°C in 1990-2019). The Rainfall and the total days that temperature above 30 degree increase. The Goal The Plan is funded by FCM’s Adaptation Partner Grants. It’s a 75million plan. The goal is to support and encourage municipalities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. Climate change has a physical, social, economic, and natural impact on the city of Windsor.

image references: https://www.voanews.com/usa/intense-rainfall-central-us-causing-southern-flooding

Actions to Address Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

Policy Framework

Climate Change Adaptation Plan Community Scope and Intention of Plan The Community Task Force included representation from many community groups and organizations to further educate and implement climate change adaptation measures in the broader community. Adaptation vs. Mitigation Climate change adaptation refers to any initiative or action that seeks to reduce the vulnerability of social, economic, built, and natural systems to changing climate conditions. Adaptation efforts may focus on changing individual behavior updating municipal by-laws and policies, enhancing the capacity of physical infrastructure, and improving ecological services. Climate Change mitigation refers to the implementation of policy, regulatory and project-based measures that contribute to the stabilization or reduction of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. These include anti-idling by-laws, building retrofits to conserve energy, and transitioning to lowcarbon energy sources. While mitigation efforts work to contain the long-term impacts of climate change, adaptation measures are needed to address the impacts that are already happening.

Image references: Climate Change Adaptation Plan

Policy Framework

Climate Change Adaptation Plan Actions 1. Integrate climate change thinking and response. Incorporate climate change Municipal Decision Making.

considerations

into

2. Protect public health and safety. Develop an emergency response procedure for extreme flooding events. Enhance protection of outside workers during extreme heat conditions. 3. Reduce risk to buildings and property. Continue and enhance tree pruning programs to develop proper tree health and limit future damage. 4. Strengthen infrastructure resilience. Incorporate climate change considerations into infrastructure design,development, maintenance and renewal 5. Protect biodiversity and enhance ecosystem functions. Protect and enhance the management of natural areas to improve climate change resilience 6. Reduce community service disruption.

Image references: https://www.voanews.com/usa/intense-rainfall-central-us-causingsouthern-flooding

Policy Framework

Detroit Climate Action Plan, 2017 By Kimberly Hill Knott and Leila Mekias What is climate change? Climate change includes both the global warming driven by human emissions of greenhouse gases, and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Carbon dioxide and other carbon-related compounds emitted by human activities such as methane—collectively known as greenhouse gases(GHG) play an important role in climate changes. How it influences Detroit? Climate change has caused Detroit’s temperature to continue to rise over the past few decades, the climate has become more extreme, and rainfall will replace snowfall more. Low income households located in urban areas are at increased risk for exposure to extreme heat; Air quality will also become compromised during hot days; Inland flooding is likely to happen more frequently, which is a big threat to stormwater infrastructure.

image references: https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/; PCC 5th Assessment

Policy Framework

Detroit Climate Action Plan, 2017 What actions to take for climate change? (1) Solid Waste: Offer universal recycling and organic waste collection for everyone in Detroit; Ensure that waste hauler contracts in 2019 align with the City Charter; Commit to Zero Waste and full implementation of the City Charter section 7-403. (2) Public Health: Inform decision makers and residents of Detroit about cli-mate change health risks and evidence-based responses; Ensure that citywide and agency emergency response plans address public health risks of climate change; Assess health impacts of land use decisions affecting urban heat islands, air quality, and stormwater manage-ment; Increase monitoring of climate-related health outcomes, such as heat-related hospitalizations, injury or death from extreme weather events, and asthma-related outcomes.

Image references: Detroit Illegal Dumping Density ; Defining Climate Vulnerability in Detroit

Policy Framework

Detroit Climate Action Plan, 2017 What actions to take for climate change? (3) Businesses & Institutions: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions among businesses and institutions, in the areas of transportation, energy, and the built environment; Create resilient institutions and a green business-to-business culture; Preserve and conserve water quantity and water quality; Increase awareness of career options in sustainable de-velopment. (4) Parks, Public Spaces, & Water Infrastructure: Protect, enhance, and quantify the benefits of carbon sinks; Increase the resilience of ecosystem services; Prioritize investments to green infrastructure; Quantify how much and what kind of green infrastructure investment will improve water quality in the region. (5) Home & Neighborhoods: Improve energy efficiency and durability of homes; Improve and update the Detroit energy grid; Reduce dependency on cars as primary transportation; Encourage the use of new construction methods and technology through education; Reduce waste from construction and demolition.

Image references: Detroit Runoff Exposure by Block Group 2010 Source: Defining Climate Vulnerability in Detroit

Climate and Weather

Whereas weather refers to short-term changes in the atmosphere, climate describes what the weather is like over a long period of time in a specific area. Climates vulnerability is influenced by everyday weather, the main factors are temperature and precipitation.

Climate and Weather

Temperature Minimum Temperature in January Temperature in January usually be the coolest among all the months, except for 2015 and 2016. Temperature tends to be cooler annually from 2016 to 2019.

Images: © https://www.weather.gov/dtx/annualplots

Climate and Weather

Precipitation Total annual precipitation Annual precipitation is unusual in 2011 and 2012. The records tend to be normal from 2013. The average rate is around 40 inches annually. Precipitation tends to be increase annually from 2015 to 2019.

Images: © https://www.weather.gov/dtx/annualplots

FEMA Flooding Maps

Hazardous flood could be critical for disaster prevention and mitigation. Understanding the risk of flooding, is useful to identify risky area and develop adaptation and mitigation strategies.

FEMA Flooding Maps

FEMA Flood Map (River Scale) Flooding is one of the most common and costly disasters. Flood risk changes over time because of new building and development, weather patterns and other factors. Although the frequency or severity of impacts cannot be changed, FEMA works with federal, state, tribal and local partners across the nation to identify flood risk and promote informed planning and development practices to help reduce that risk through the Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (Risk MAP) program. Risk MAP supports community resilience by providing data, building partnerships, and supporting long-term hazard mitigation planning. In particular, Risk MAP’s Flood Risk The Flood Risk Products can enhance hazard mitigation planning activities, especially the risk and vulnerability assessment portion of a hazard mitigation plan, and the development of risk-based mitigation strategies. It can also help guide land use and development decisions by highlighting areas of highest risk, areas in need of mitigation. In all, most of the land in Detroit River watershed is not facing the risk of flooding. The flood are located closer to the upper reaches of the river than the Detroit Riverfront.

FEMA Flooding Maps

FEMA Flood Map (River Scale) By observing the overlap of the flood exposure areas and housing sensitivity, it is easy to identify several census tracks that are vulnerable to household flooding risk. The mapping identified several areas of exposure concern. 1. Jefferson-Chalmers area. 2. Grosse Pointe Park. 3. Belle Isle. 4. River Rouge 5. Boundary of Ecorse and Wyandotte 6. Silver Shores Waterfront 7. Huntington Creek, Riverview 8. Gibraltar 9. Lake Erie Metropark

Material Index

Climate gentrification could be identified by studying the physical cover of earth. The material indexes including land cover, impervious surface and tree canopy could not only show the result of the gentricication, but also the factors affacting the distribution of human activities.

Material Index

Land Cover This part is showing the map of water infrastructures, land cover, tree canopy, and impervious surface in two scales(watershed and riverfront). More than 81% land in Detroit River Watershed is observed (bio)physical covered. The mapping here is going to identify the distribution of land cover classes. Land use maps contain spatial information on the arrangements, activities and inputs people undertake in a certain land cover type to produce, change or maintain it. Open Water Developed, Open Space Developed, Low Intensity Developed, Medium Intensity Developed, High Intensity Barren Land Deciduous Forest Evergreen Forest Mixed Forest Shrub/Scrub Herbaceuous Hay/Pasture Cultivated Crops Woody Wetlands Emergent Herbaceuous Wetlands

4.2% 17.6% 25.1% 26.4% 12.0% 0.3% 6.4% 0.0% 0.4% 0.0% 0.3% 1.3% 3.0% 2.5% 0.4%

Material Index

Land Cover More than 47% land along Detroit River is observed (bio) physical covered.

Open Water Developed, Open Space Developed, Low Intensity Developed, Medium Intensity Developed, High Intensity Barren Land Deciduous Forest Evergreen Forest Mixed Forest Shrub/Scrub Herbaceuous Hay/Pasture Cultivated Crops Woody Wetlands Emergent Herbaceuous Wetlands

39.0% 8.6% 11.0% 14.9% 12.9% 1.0% 5.2% 0.0% 0.3% 0.0% 0.9% 0.4% 1.0% 1.9% 2.9%

Material Index

Tree Canopy When viewed from above, 41% land in Detroit River Watershed covered by tree leaves, branches, and stems. Trees in general provide a large number of ecosystem services, or environmental benefits, like remove pollutants from the air, soil and water, release water vapor into the atmosphere which cools the surrounding areas, mitigating the urban heat island effect, the interception of rainfall and reduction of storm water runoff (reduce the costs related to infrastructure management), save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions due to shade provided, also do carbon sequestration. Last but not least, a robust tree canopy could help increase property values, attract businesses and residents.

Land with Tree Canopy

41%

Material Index

Tree Canopy When viewed from above, 21% land along Detroit River is covered by tree leaves, branches, and stems.

Land with Tree Canopy

21%

Material Index

Impervious Surface 14% land is pervious surface within Detroit River Watershed. Which means more than 4/5 land require stormwater infrastructure in varying degrees. Impervious surfaces do not allow water to penetrate. Examples include rooftops, concrete and asphalt, and compacted gravel. When rain falls on these hard surfaces and can’t infiltrate into the ground, it flows into the storm drains. Pervious surfaces allow water to drain, or infiltrat into the landscape. They are also sometimes called permeable surfaces. Examples include planted lawn and garden areas, mulched areas, forested areas, and loose gravel walkways. Urban environments have a large percentage of impervious land cover, such as buildings, houses, roads and parking lots, so our city has a lot of stormwater runoff to manage. When stormwater falls on hard surfaces in an urban environment, it picks up motor oil, transmission fluid, road salt, fertilizers, insecticides, and other contaminants before it enters the stormdrains. When stormwater isn’t managed, it also causes urban flooding and overflows. Stormwater is a leading source of water pollution in urban rivers.

Impervious Surface

86%

Material Index

Impervious Surface 52% land is pervious surface within Detroit River Watershed. Which means more than half land require stormwater infrastructure in varying degrees.

Impervious Surface

48%

Development Patterns

Climate change will be affected by some development patterns of cities, therefore, analyzing the distribution and number of these factors can help analyze the impact of climate change on different regions.

Development Patterns

Public-owned Land (open, built) The Detroit River’s public-owned land in the US side is not very abuis less than I imagine. It generally comes from three categories: owned by city, owned by county and owned by state. First of all, the municipalities of Detroit, Ecorse, City of Gibraltar, City of River Rouge, City of Trenton, City of Wyandotte all have public lands within the riverfront properties. Detroit Land Bank Authority, Detroit Water & Sewage Department, Detroit / Wayne Stadium Authority also claim public lands. Secondly, Wayne County ownership include: treasurer, jail, road commission, BLDG authority, executive, community college etc. Third, Michigan Land Bank Authority owns lots of parcels. Also the Michigan Marine Terminal and the Michigan Opera Theater. Parks take a great proportion of publicly-owned lands, which are the potential sites for environmentally-driven design.

Development Patterns

Green spaces & Wetlands Urban green spaces (UGS) and wetland contribute to mitigate climate change impacts via carbon sequestration and offer several co-benefits in cities. On average, 239 Mg C ha-1 is stored in trees and 81 Mg C ha-1 in the soil. Crops and herbs hold <1% of the total stock. In other words, urban green space can attenuate the negative impacts of climate change. As the shorelands of the Detroit River start to feel the influence of climate change, the various green spaces along the banks of the river will serve as a buffer zone. They not only provide a permeable soil to mitigate extreme weather such as heavy rains, but also offer many ecological services for the area.

Development Patterns

Wastewater Facilities (Watershed) The increased intensity of precipitation projected in the region will put greater pressure on the CSO sewage treatment system. A combined sewer system (CSS) collects rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater into one pipe. Under normal conditions, it transports all of the wastewater it collects to a sewage treatment plant for treatment, then discharges to a water body. The volume of wastewater can sometimes exceed the capacity of the CSS or treatment plant (e.g., during heavy rainfall events or snowmelt). When this occurs, untreated stormwater and wastewater, discharges directly to nearby streams, rivers, and other water bodies.

Development Patterns

Wastewater Facilities (Riverfront) Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) contain untreated or partially treated human and industrial waste, toxic materials, and debris as well as stormwater.

Conner Creek CSO Control Facility

Development Patterns

DTE Land DTE is a major company providing energy services for the Detroit River Basin. It has some energy production land in the riverside area. These energy facilities emit a large amount of greenhouse gases during the production process, leading to aggravation of climate change. Understanding the location of these energy facilities and the relationship with their surroundings will help us better understand climate change along the Detroit River.

Development Patterns

Transportation Burning fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Various modes of transportation are increasing the rate of pollution and climate change. According to the research report, Detroit’s transportation such as road traffic and railways provides 29% of greenhouse gas emissions, which is one of the important factors causing climate change.

GHG Emissions, Detroit Climate Action Plan, 2017

Development Patterns

Vacant Property These vacant properties include former residential, commercial and industrial land, and can be public or privetedly owned. These properties can become opportunity zones providing ecosystem services and buffering other inhabited areas from the impacts of climate change. On the one hand, they can be used as a space for temporary evacuation. On the other hand, they can support flooding management efforts through implementation of low impact development techniques and green infractructure.

SocioEconomic Data

Climate change tends to have a greater impact on the more vulnerable communities and vulnerable groups. The display of socioeconomic data enables to capture the range of households that inhabit the Detroit Riverside.

SocioEconomic Data

Median Household Income The median household income is an important indicator to measure the wealth of the community.

Detroit 31,283

Riverview 57,442

River Rouge 26,661

Trenton 64,167

Ecorse 27,241

Gibraltar 63,063

Wyandotte 51,074

Grosse Ile Township 92,674

SocioEconomic Data

Household Number The number of households shows the distribution of communities along the Detroit River. The number of household becomes the basis for us to find and possible communities in the future.

Detroit 260,383

Riverview 5,145

River Rouge 2,870

Trenton 7,988

Ecorse 3.499

Gibraltar 1,769

Wyandotte 11,166

Grosse Ile Township 4,157

3 4

5 6 7 8

9 4

10 11 12 13

14 15 6

SocioEconomic Data

Housing Prices

1. $115,000 3 bd /1 ba/844 sqft

9. $115,000 3 bd/1 ba/1,155 sqft

2. $110,000 3 bd/2 ba/1400 sqft

10. $114,900 3 bd/2 ba/764 sqft

3. 120,000 1 bd/1 ba/725 sqft

11. $115,000 2 bd/1 ba/968 sqft

4. $115,000 1 bd/1 ba/897 sqft

12. $105,000 2 bd/1 ba/961 sqft

5. $135,000 3 bd/1 ba/988 sqft

13. $124,500 3 bd/1 ba/1,092 sqft

6. $109,999 5 bd/2 ba/1,312 sqft

14. $109,000 2 bd/2 ba/1,101 sqft

7. $72,000 4 bd/2 ba/2,684 sqft

15. $189,900 3 bd/2 ba/1,229 sqft

8. $65,000 4 bd/2 ba/1,080 sqft

16. $2,999,000 9 bd/7 ba/9,800 sqft

SocioEconomic Data

Population Density Population and population density reflect the living activities of humans on the Detroit River.

Detroit 4,878

Riverview 2,727

River Rouge 2,780

Trenton 2,495

Ecorse 3,351

Gibraltar 1,231

Wyandotte 4,675

Grosse Ile Township 1,133

SocioEconomic Data

Age: 65+ Climate change does not affect all social systems equally. For low income people, elderly and children, climate change means additional expenses for risk insurance, food insecurity, health implications and inconvenience of going out.

Detroit 13.3%

Riverview 24%

River Rouge 12%

Trenton 21%

Ecorse 16.6%

Gibraltar 17%

Wyandotte 16.5%

Grosse Ile Township 26%

SocioEconomic Data

Age: 0-14 In addition, climate change and weather-related disasters has been linked to increasing mental health challenges and physiological stress in community members. As a result, extra pressure is placed on Health care services to care for these individuals especially for children.

Detroit 25%

Riverview 17%

River Rouge 23%

Trenton 18%

Ecorse 24%

Gibraltar 20%

Wyandotte 19.4%

Grosse Ile Township 20%

Areas of Focus

When flood areas are overlapping with low household incomes and elderly and children, comes the areas of concern. Zooming into areas, spatial quality reveals itself.

Median Household income 6

African American

Population Density

Areas of Focus

Boundary of Ecorse and Wyandotte At the edge of Ecorse City and Wyandotte City, there is an area that is at risk of flooding. When the Ecorse River Branches meet, flood finds its way into the surrounding communities. From socio-economic perspective, communities there have relatively low median household incomes. These are young communities, with large proportion of children under 14. The population density is relatively lower than surrounding areas, and vacancy is scarce. With limited industrial footprints, this area occupies its riverfront with housing, piers, parks and marine services. According to the census in 2010, Ecorse has 44% white population and 46% African American population, while Wyandotte has 94% white population. In 2018, Wyandotte residents‘ median household income was $53,110, while Ecorse’s was $27,241. Wetland

Park

Public Land

1inch=3000feet

Median Household income 6

55500

31312 7

Population Density

Land Cover

Areas of Focus

Waterfront of Wyandotte The Eastern tip of Wyandotte’s waterfront is under flood risk. Most of the flooding areas are industrial or public lands. The socio-economic maps shows that only 6% residents here are Africa American and the population density is 2035 per square mile. 16% of the population are younger than 14 years old while 14% are more than 65. Media household income is 55500. The flooding area is highly covered by hard surface, which do not allow water to penetrate. Less trees could be observed here compared to surrounding communities. The area shows a pattern of high intensity development, which indicates people reside or work here in high numbers and also, impervious surfaces account for 80% to 100% of the total cover. All these patterns require a well planed water management system. Tree Canopy

Impervious Surface

Public Land

1inch=4166feet

Median Household income 6

Population Density

Land Cover

Areas of Focus

Jefferson Chalmers Jefferson Chalmers is under risk of flooding. Most of the flooding areas affect the buildings and people in the community. The socio-economic maps shows that the median household income is below the Detroit’s median household income. The population of elder and childer account for 21% and 17%, which is higher than other census track. The area shows a pattern of medium intensity development. The vacant land in this area offer the oppotunity for future proposal. The impervious surfaces account for 50% to 80% of the total cover. Less trees could be observed here compared to surrounding communities. All these patterns require a well planed water management system. Tree Canopy

Impervious Surface

Vacant Land

1inch=2000feet

Vacant Property

Median Househld Income

Population Density

Areas of Focus

Marina District A small amount of land here is threatened by flooding, mainly located on the banks of the river and near the Jefferson Chalmers community. In terms of social and economic conditions, the Median Household Income of the region is less than 28,099 per year. There is a large proportion of elderly people aged 65+ and children under 14, both vulnerable groups to climate change impacts. The area has abundant green space and wetlands, and is close to Belle Isle. In addition, there are development patterns in the area such as sewage treatment facilities and DTE energy land, which can be used as opportunities for later transformation and upgrading. Energy&Wastewater Facility

Green Spaces

Transportation

1inch=2000feet

Precedents

Designers from different countries and regions explored the different possibilities of water and cities. By learning these design techniques, we can make effective responses to climate change.

Precedents

The Cleveland Flats Connections Plan: Connecting a Missing Link The Cuyahoga River, famous for combusting throughout its industrial history, drains into Lake Erie through the Flats, a low-lying neighborhood in the heart of Cleveland. Bound by bluffs to the east and west, the Cuyahoga has historically divided communities: industrial, rail, and highway infrastructure associated with the river’s function as a regional shipping corridor has landlocked the Flats from its waterfronts, created barriers among communities, and for decades degraded their waterways by pollution and industrial use.

Precedents

The Cleveland Flats Connections Plan: Connecting a Missing Link The Flats Connections Plan is an open space and trail network that leverages the unique conditions of the neighborhood to revitalize the riverfront and connect it to surrounding communities and to the region. Part of a rich industrial history, the Plan also looks to the present and future, working with neighbors, local organizations, and city officials to incorporate their values and concerns into a vision for the future of the Flats. The Flats Connections Plan interprets the rich cultural and industrial histories of the neighborhood’s diverse communities, catalyzes ecological stewardship, improves water quality, and transforms barriers for equitable access.

Waterfront Toronto

Precedents

“We wanted to provide a warm, welcoming place where people could feel a sense of community and belonging. In this fast-paced city, it’s wonderful to have some common ground – a place we can all share.” -- Judy Matthews

Wate

Waterfront Waterfront Toronto Toronto // Rolling Rolling Five-Year Five-Year Strategic Strategic Plan Plan 2020/21–2024/25 2020/21–2024/25 // Place Place ·· Partnership Partnership ·· Potential Potential

Board and committees

Photo: Nicola Betts

Waterfront Toronto’s Board of Directors is composed of 12 Board “W members and a Chair. Each of the three levels of government (municipal, welcom provincial, federal) appoints four Directors; the Board Chair is jointly appointed by all three levels. As of December 5, 2019, our Board has a sen one vacancy. Stephen Diamond (Chair) President & CEO, DiamondCorp

Sevaun Palvetzian CEO, CivicAction

Wende Cartwright President, Savira Cultural + Capital Projects

Patrick Sheils Vice Chair, Infrastructure Ontario

Joe Cressy City Councillor, Ward 10, Spadina-Fort York

Jeanhy Shim President & Founder, Housing Lab Toronto

Michael Galego CEO, Apolo Capital Advisory Corp.

Kevin Sullivan President, GMP Capital Inc.

Andrew MacLeod President & CEO, Postmedia Inc.

Christopher Voutsinas President, Capital Value & Income Corp

Mazyar Mortazavi President & CEO, TAS

Jack Winberg CEO, The Rockport Group

In th to ha

Ju desire to

Investment, Real Estate and Quayside Committee

Financial reporting, audit, enterprise risk management and project risk management

Human resources management, governance and strategic corporate communications

Development projects, real estate transactions and Quayside,

Kevin Sullivan

Sevaun Palvetzian

Mazyar Mortazavi

Michael Galego Patrick Sheils Jeanhy Shim

Wende Cartwright Joe Cressy Andrew MacLeod

Stephen Diamond Andrew MacLeod Christopher Voutsinas Jack Winberg

Members

Mandate

Human Resources, Governance and Stakeholder Relations Committee

Chair

Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee

Precedents

Waterfront Toronto governments, 2001

federal,

provincial,

and

city

Work Core - Encourage meaningful public engagement, revitalize the lands by Lake Ontario, transforming past industrial sites into thriving neighbourhoods that support economic vitality and enhance quality of life

Vision - one vibrant waterfront that belongs to everyone

Collaboration with local Indigenous communities - wildlife and habitat protection as well as the creation of a new health care facility.

Waterfront Toronto’s strategy plans - ensure communities will include high-quality infrastructure, plenty of affordable housing units, and vital social infrastructure like health clinics and educational institutions. Waterfront districts are now attractions towards leading employers and contributions to the growing ecosystem of businesses and institutions.

Note: Waterfront Toronto / Rolling Five-Year Strategic Plan 2020/21–2024/25

Precedents

Waterfront Toronto Development along the waterfront - market, affordable housing, commercial space, aquatic habitat, critical infrastructure and beloved public spaces.

Projects - West Don Lands, Corktown Common, Underpass Park, Sugar Beach, Sherbourne Common, Queens Quay, East Bayfront, the Port Lands, Jack Layton Ferry Terminal and The Bentway.

Two principles - public realm comes first; landscape led design

Note: Waterfront Toronto / Rolling Five-Year Strategic Plan 2020/21–2024/25

Villiers Island taking shape

Precedents

The Port Lands Flood Protection Project • Reroute the mouth of a river into a natural estuary, into an urban harbour • Unlocking the development potential of 290 hectares of prime land - new parks and open space • Create Villiers Island it’s going to open up hundreds of hectares for mixed-use development, and it’s going to be done within 5 years. • Improve the natural environment and public realm around the Don River

Key milestones • Continued excavation and construction for flood protection - Creation of the new river valley • Extensive work on bridges to connect Villiers Island to the mainland • Construction of Cherry Street, Commissioners Street，and Don Roadway

Note: Waterfront Toronto / Rolling Five-Year Strategic Plan 2020/21–2024/25

Precedents

Rendering Los Angeles Green: The Greenways to Rivers Arterial Stormwater System (GRASS) Issues Stormwater Issues: 1. impervious space, 2. pollutants, 3. water supplies. 4. stormwater infrastructure. Sociocultural and Environmental Issues 1. park poverty, 2. Existing and planned projects that manage stormwater and improve communities are isolated. 3. Urban Heat Island Effect.

The Goal The project goal of GRASS II was to develop a tool to help designers and engineers to better manage stormwater from the watershed scale within the Los Angeles metropolitan area to the site scale to maximize social, economic, and environmental benefits for the region.

Objectives

Precedents

Climate Change Scenarios and Impact of the Greenways to Rivers Arterial Stormwater System (GRASS) GRASS I used GIS to identify existing street classifications with wide corridors, bike routes, bus routes, and existing storm drains.

GRASS II Biophysical and socio-cultural data layers gathered as a result of expert input served to inform the creation of a GIS model that was refined and finalized through subsequent rounds design by local practitioners.  The research and analysis process concluded with a groundtruthing investigation and field research to identify missed opportunities. Evaluation criteria included performance improvement within a ½ mile adjustment buffer, route directness, public impact and areas with high suitability for green infrastructure.

Precedents

GRASS Results: This process resulted in the generation of four Primary Stormwater Greenways (SWGs) and a Secondary Stormwater Green Network.

Design GRASS II assumes a hierarchy of implementation approaches. Where SWGs will be used by large numbers of children, seniors, or other special populations, a higher standard of vegetative density and cover is proposed. This standard is also applied in high use areas, in commercial or tourist areas, in park poor areas, and at the intersections or “nodes” formed by significant street arterials.

Impacts 1. An estimated 298 acres of existing hardscape will be replaced by vegetation and tree canopy. 2. The GRASS system connects 1.35 million people to trails, and improves park access for 850,000 people living in park poverty conditions.

Precedents

New Meadowlands Authors: MIT CAU, ZUS, Urbanisten, Deltares, Volker Infradesign, 75B Location: New York & New Jersey, USA (Hurricane Sandy Affected Area) Initiated by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Presidential Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force, the Rebuild by Design (RBD) competition proposed to connect the world’s leading researchers and designers with the Sandy-affected area’s active businesses, policymakers and local groups to better understand how to redevelop their communities in environmentally and economically healthier ways – as a response to Superstorm Sandy’s devastation in the region. The team devised a regional analysis strategy which layered a wide spectrum of risks and vulnerabilities, combining flood risk with social vulnerability, vital network vulnerability, pollution risk, etc. The analysis identified the Meadowlands as a key investment priority for the tri-state area. The team developed this analytical method in order to spatialize federal investment priorities. The underlying argument is that a dollar is best spent when it addresses the biggest variety of risks (including but also beyond flood risk) to the largest plurality of stakeholders (starting with vulnerable populations and economies).

Precedents

New Meadowlands Two key spatial concepts comprise this project: Meadowpark and Meadowband. Within the Meadowlands basin, the team identified three pilot areas as candidates to host the first stages of the project. The southern tip consists of South Kearny and the western waterfront of Jersey City. The eastern edge contains Secaucus and a portion of Jersey City. Finally, the northern edge includes sections of Little Ferry, Moonachie, Carlstadt, Teterboro and South Hackensack. HUD awarded implementation funding to this last pilot area. In each of these areas, the project consists of a mix of actions, specifically; (a) berms and public space design and construction; (b) rezoning; and (c) integration with other ongoing initiatives.

The ‘New Meadowlands’ project articulates an integrated vision to protect, connect and develop this basin and surrounding areas as a critical asset to both New Jersey and the metropolitan area of New York.

Note: https://urbannext.net/rebuild-by-design-new-meadowlands/

Climate Ready Game Card

Four scales of intervention can offer targeted and costeffective approaches to Climate Change adaptation in the areas subjected to flooding threads along the Detroit River: Housing, Block, Street, and Park.

Housing

Climate Ready Game Card

How to build resilient houses, and how to retrofit existing ones, is a concern for residents facing flooding risks. Different housing renovation strategies are available to owners according to building type, cost, and building age.