Distribution of Work:
After class on the 19th, we divided the member responsibilities as evenly as possible. Kay will be addressing and researching the broad issue of water sustainability, while Olha will be focusing on NYC-specific water resiliency. Caitlin will be creating the powerpoint based on this research, sourcing images, and creating infographics using graphic design software. Robert will be researching the Rain(a)way tiles themselves and calculating the cost of implementation. Pabvitraa will be in charge of creating a feasible policy solution. So far, we have been working steadily in pursuit of these individual goals.
Analysis of the Issue (Globally and Locally)
GLOBAL
The Global Sustainability and Resilience Program (GSRP) seeks to support the development of inclusive, resilient networks in local communities facing global change. By providing a platform for sharing lessons, mapping knowledge, and linking people and ideas, GSRP and it’s affiliated programs empower policymakers, practitioners, and community members to participate in the global dialogue on sustainability and resilience. Given the scarcity of water in many parts of the world, we must use wastewater to meet the needs of millions of people. In Singapore, they import over half its water from neighboring Malaysia, water security is a top priority. Singapore has built rainwater collection plants and technology initiatives to treat sewage water and purify it for reuse.
US
New York ranked high in water quality tests, which had much to do with its source water derived from the Catskill/Delaware and Croton watersheds, and so pristine as to not require filtration. The country’s water is disinfected at the world’s largest UV disinfection facility, which is also acknowledged as one of the best.The lagging resiliency rating is tied to vulnerability to weather events, evidenced by the destruction wrought by Superstorm Sandy. Scientists estimate that New York would incur at least $500 million in storm- and flood-related damage over the next half-century without any action, but thankfully that’s not the case. The East Side Coastal Resiliency project, a collaborative of government agencies, business leaders, and private investors, is among the initiatives created to fortify infrastructure and protect essential services in anticipation of more superstorms.
NYC-specific water resiliency
Sea levels rising globally is not pleasant news for the inhabitants of New York City, which is surrounded by water. Its 520 miles of shoreline border the ocean, rivers, inlets, and bays making it prone to several types of flooding. Firstly, there’s a threat of coastal flooding which is caused by storm surges. Second, there’s a threat of tidal flooding which is caused by normal and regular variations in the lunar cycle. And thirdly there’s a threat of Inland flooding which can be caused by short heavy rainfall, or long-term moderate rainfall. Rainfall data from gauges at Central Park, JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports, the stations with the longest data record in NYC show some of the heaviest rainfall events in the city’s history occurred in just the last three decades. NYC is dense, heavily paved, and built on landfill in what were once wetland areas. That limits the ground’s capacity to absorb or drain water and causes problems. There’s also a threat of riverine flooding but it mostly affects NY state, less so NYC.
New York flood maps are determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, better known as FEMA. It assessed the flood risk and projected that roughly 400,000 New Yorkers, 71,500 buildings, and 532 million square feet of floor area are located within the 1 percent annual chance floodplain (because there is a 1 percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year). According to the maps, the Lower Manhattan waterfront is at high risk of flooding, including neighborhoods like the South Street Seaport, Tribeca, Battery Park City, and the eastern and western waterfronts through Upper Manhattan. Significant portions of Staten Island, along with the western and eastern waterfront, are at risk. In Brooklyn, the South Brooklyn waterfront shows the most risk, including Red Hook, Brighton Beach, and Howard Beach. In Queens, the Rockaways rate as the highest risk for flooding.
Why should you care?
Flooding can cause:
- Disruption of critical infrastructure systems:
o transportation,
o energy,
o telecommunications
o wastewater treatment plants
- Water pollution and release of other contaminants
- Loss of income for individuals and of revenue for businesses
- Disruption of communities and social networks
- Degradation or loss of natural resources
- Aggravation of existing health conditions
- Loss of life, injury, and illness
Case Study of Netherlands
Benefits of the Ebb tiles are:
- Transports rainwater
- • Wheelchair-friendly and easy to drive on
- • Perfect to combine with our Flood-tiles (all varieties)
- • Creates awareness
- • Easily applicable because of standard tile-size
- • Low maintenance
Benefits of the Rain(a)way tiles are:
- Stores and infiltrates rainwater
- • A contributor to the solution to rainwater issues.
- • Makes your project unique
- • Easy to combine with our Ebb-tiles
- • Creates awareness, high visibility
- • Easy application because of standard tile
Contrast: The X1 Tile
With the X1 system, you choose for a smart, practical, sustainable and innovative solution for your outside terrace. Besides this you are helping the environment with collecting water.
The system needed 2 years to develop before it was ready to go on market. Multiple testing and redesigning makes the X1 tile sustainable on multiple aspects. E.g. on the subject of water management. Heavy rainfall is increasing in this time of climate change. Tests done by TCKT and Tile System X show that the X1 system in average can take up to 65 Ltr of water per m2/minute by draining with the draining zone. The water is taken in the specially designed buffer zones. The buffer zone drains the water directly into the surface that’s below.
Cost of Concrete tile: 17.50 euros.
Info on average draining system prices (French Drains): “Installing drainage runs most homeowners between $1,856 and $5,183 with an average cost of $3,479. Small, simpler solutions could be as low as $800 and more complicated projects could get as expensive as $8,000. French drains, for example, average $20 to $30 per linear foot or between $1,000 and $1,500 in exterior applications and $45 to $60 per linear foot or $5,000 to $6,000 for internal ones.”
Policy Solution
There are four different Rain(a)Way tiles so the amount of money we would invest in depends on what areas of the floodplain we would be working on first. Since there is over 525 million square feet of flood plain, we would focus first on more flood prone areas like the Rockaways, East Shore, Staten Island, lower Manhattan, and parts of Brooklyn which may benefit from the more intense ebb tiles or flood open tiles to divert rainwater. We would then focus on other less flood prone areas as funds become more available. The tiles can start being laid on the sidewalks of property owners’ home. Primarily, we would work with the Department of City Planning to secure funds for this project. Since they are already working with communities and property owners to protect $129.1 billion of investments in the growing floodplains as part of “Flood Resilience Zoning,” the DCP has incentive to search for more resilient infrastructure and coastal defense investments like Rain(a)Way tiles. Plus, we might have some federal oversight from FEMA. We believe the implementation of these tiles should take about five years to complete, not considering unearthing already laid concrete in some areas. The tiles in the Netherlands are also not mass produced yet so any found costs if there are any, reflect small scale production. The DCP’s 2019 fiscal budget totals $45.5 million, but it does not include any funds property owners may provide, which may be possible if they receive tax abatements or subsidies from the government, or a discounted cost when ordering in bulk. While the cost of such tiles may be high, its long term benefits can last for 50 plus years. Some obstacles we may run into include hidden costs like removing concrete from some areas, people refusing to retrofit around their homes, and lack of funding.
Annotated Source List
Some of our most relevant sources include:
- http://rainaway.nl/english/
- The Rain(a)way website itself describes the function and uses of the tiles that factor heavily into our policy solution. It also states the properties of the various types of tiles.
- https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/em/downloads/pdf/hazard_mitigation/nycs_risk_landscape_chapter_4.3_flooding.pdf
- An 18-page document on flooding in NYC that includes useful information on existing problems and proposed policy solutions. The document also elaborates on the various types of flooding, which will be invaluable in developing an appropriate policy solution of our own.
- https://www.smart-magazine.com/rainaway-pavement-design/
- This was the article which started it all! It describes how to make cities ‘climate proof,’ using the Netherlands and the cities therein as an example.
- https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/sirr/downloads/pdf/Ch3_Coastal_FINAL_singles.pdf
- This details the risks of not addressing flooding in NYC, the vulnerability levels of coastal areas, as well as ideas to flood proof the city like using flood wall.
- https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/planning/download/pdf/plans-studies/climate-resiliency/outreach-summary.pdf
- The DCP has already started some temporary flood proof initiatives like flood panels and have faced some obstacles which we can use to find weaknesses in our policy. It also details how they reach out to communities affected by floods.
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/07/nyregion/new-york-city-flood-maps-fema.html
- This source details the most vulnerable coastal areas in NYC and why we should care about implementing flood tiles, the main reason being that many people have properties that should be protected.
- http://rainaway.nl/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Product-sheets-RainaWay.pdf
- The Rain(a)way product sheet provides important information on the size and material the tiles are made of, which will prove useful once we begin calculating costs.
Remaining Work
We still have a bit of work to do, namely creating a few more infographics and graphs to illustrate our points, completing the powerpoint, calculating the costs of implementation, going further in depth regarding the economics of the tiles, and researching another case study. (see powepoint for pictures)
Sure, it’s convenient to eat or drink on the train but it’s inconvenient when Starbucks cups, half empty chip bags, or styrofoam containers are left throughout the subway system. Not only is this unsanitary and attracts vermin, but it produces waste that either gets left on the subway car until an MTA Maintainer can clean it up, or gets taken by Pizza Rat’s family and cousins. Not to mention the litter causes track fires that disrupt the commute of millions of New Yorkers. My uncle, an MTA train dispatcher, made it clear that track fires are no joke and occur when the trains quickly run over the heaps of trash on the tracks. 
Island Expressway High Occupancy Vehicle lanes. Before the implementation of this program, the lane was reserved for vehicles with at least two occupants during peak travel times. Now, commuters with energy-efficient vehicles can use the lane regardless of the amount of passengers, saving time, gas, and money. They can also reduce their stress levels and prevent road rage. A list of vehicle models eligible for the pass are found on the Clean Pass website, including Teslas, Electric vehicles, and some Hybrids. 