Johanna Lawton

The vision for the BIG U that began with the Rebuild by Design competition has given way to the planning, design, and implementation of various sections of this continuous flood infrastructure spanning multiple community boards. The funded plans span from East 25th Street on the East Side to Chambers Street on the West Side, for […]

The Meadowlands project builds off the New Meadowlands vision to address a low-lying 5,000 acre area on the Hackensack River that encompasses Little Ferry, Teterboro, Moonachie, South Hackensack, and Carlstadt. The strategy aims to reduce flood risk by managing water flows, cultivate ecology with native plantings, and energize the community through public area improvements. To

The Rebuild by Design Hudson River Project will address flood-prone areas in Hoboken, Weehawken, and Jersey City against storm surge, flash floods, and rising sea levels through a four-part strategy: Resist, Delay, Store, and Discharge. The Resist intervention aims to reduce coastal storm surge risks; Delay focuses on policy recommendations and green infrastructure to slow

Resilient Bridgeport is comprised of two pilot projects – Rebuild by Design (RBD) and Flood Risk Reduction Project (FRRP) – focused on protecting homes, businesses and infrastructure in Bridgeport’s South End from chronic and acute flooding in order to safeguard Bridgeport’s most vulnerable communities and foster long-term local prosperity. Shaped by the design team through

“Living With The Bay is helping to advance New York State’s goal of adapting to the effects of climate change equitably on a grassroots level. The innovative project will improve resiliency while also educating the next generation of environmental leaders.”  – David Shumate, Senior Director of Resilient Investments at the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery

Living Breakwaters, a layered, nature-based approach to enhancing the physical, ecological, and social resilience of the low-lying community of Tottenville on Staten Island’s South Shore, broke ground in September 2021. The project includes 2,400 feet of breakwaters, which are partially submerged structures composed of marine stone and biologically enhanced concrete designed with “reef ridges” and