WXY/West 8
New Jersey

The Atlantic Ocean (Cape May – Sandy Hook) design opportunity lies in the governance and insurance mechanisms that would aid in the resiliency of this vulnerable territory.

On a regional scale, there is seemingly very little protecting coastal New Jersey from the Atlantic Ocean. As Hurricane Sandy wrought havoc on coastal communities of the Jersey Shore, questions of public good and public access have been woven into the discussion of rebuilding. Looking at the regional scale, issues of insurance, public and private access, geo-engineering and displacement are dominating the conversation in coastal New Jersey.

A paradigm shift in coastal planning is essential at the regional level. A cost-benefit analysis reveals the potential for large scale storm mitigation measures to play a significant role in coastal management. The design opportunity here is in the governance and insurance mechanisms that would aid in the resiliency of this vulnerable territory.