SCAPE / Landscape Architecture
New Jersey

The Hackensack/Meadowlands landscape has historically been a dumping grounds and zone of heavy industry.  We propose to consider multiple long term futures of this region and explore the gradual shallowing of under utilized ship channels as part of a larger river restoration effort. Shallowed systems closer to their historic water depths typically have less severe inundation and flooding. Initial results for the Hackensack surprisingly suggest that flood water height reductions are definite and may extend as far south as the densely populated Newark Bay. In combination with wetland restoration and the conversion of abandoned upland parking lots to freshwater wetland flood absorbing features, the strategic conversion of land use could provide large scale reduction in flooding in residential areas.

Download the boards presented by SCAPE /Landscape Architecture in 2013.