It seems that people like to live on waterfronts regardless of the susceptibility to severe flooding after major storms. However, a developer might suggest the vulnerability of waterfronts is something of the past.
Anderson’s article titled “Sandy Who?” shows mixed views on the construction of a residential complex off the Gowanus Canal. Despite warnings and concerns against the construction of the project; Lightstone Group, the developer, claims to have a building designed “invulnerable to flooding”.
When discussing contemporary city planning, Ratcliffe and Krawczyk stress that present and future needs for effective city planning must be based on an understanding of past failures.
Is Lightstone’s invulnerable project of building on a waterfront an example of an avant-garde construction techinique, or has the project failed to understand the failures hurricane Sandy has made evident? What’s the use of a flood-proof building when your neighborhood has the whole Gowanus Canal on the streets?
As clearly illustrated by the “Sandy Who?” article and as you’ve correctly stated, developers are not willing to walk away from constructing residential and commercial spaces near the waterfront. Livingstone Group is working on a huge project that will invite over 1,000 residents to live by the Gowanus Canal. Estate 4 founded by Alessandro Cajrati Crivelli plans to renovate a six-story building and a 130,000-square-foot factory into condos, retail shops, art studios and exhibition spaces. Both locations have been damaged by the recent hurricane and continue to be at risk of damage by other storms that will most likely hit the East Coast in the future. I’m assuming that the developers are developing despite the massive opposition and concerns about the construction of such projects because there is a demand for such spaces, people who are willing to occupy them. There really is something attractive about being by the waters. In response to the concerns expressed by Councilman Lander Geto, a spokesman for Livingstone, stated the developer is more than aware of the risks and is designing a building which will be protected from flooding. A building that not only meets the FEMA standards but exceeds them. Crivelli’s response is also very similar to that of Geto’s. Their flood plain line is designed with in mind storms that are more devastating than Sandy.
I believe Lightstone and Estate 4’s “invulnerable” projects of building on a waterfront is an example of an avant-garde construction technique rather than projects that have failed to understand past failures Sandy has made evident. First, because the developers are not blind to the risks these projects carry. Their designs are based not only on the storms in the past but projections of the climate changes in the future. Second, I believe it’s better to develop with some risks than to not develop at all. These changes in the climate, extreme events will continue to happen and we can’t always take “don’t develop” as a solution. As the report by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection suggests, it’s crucial to study “innovative approaches” and “alternatives to conventional structural solutions” to flooding. I do believe however that the planning and designing of these projects must be done with extreme care and detail, based on accurate research and data to ensure the safety of the residents and property.
In real estate, one of the primary aspects of any property is location. Waterfront homes are prestigious for their magnificent views and floor to ceiling windows that allows spectators to take in the scenery. There always has been a demand for properties by the water, and a tremendous amount of wealth is often concentrated in these areas. Just look at Manhattan Beach and Seagate in Brooklyn. Despite the utter devastation caused by Sandy, many residents cannot bring themselves to leave their beautiful neighborhoods.
Lightstone is entering a niche market that can prove to be tremendously profitable. By providing structures that take into account the risks posed by storms and flooding, these “invulnerable” buildings provide the appeal of living on a waterfront while reducing the potential downsides of being located in a flood zone. After Sandy, shorefront property has lost some of its appeal, which lowered prices. By building structures that are even somewhat prepared to withstand superstorms, value and appeal become somewhat restored.