1. Jamaica Bay Task Force
December 1, 2013
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2. Recovery, Rebuilding, and Resiliency
In the aftermath of Sandy, Mayor Bloomberg set up the Special Initiative for
Rebuilding and Resiliency (SIRR)…
The goals of SIRR were to identify ways to
1. Rebuild neighborhoods not just as they
were, but better; and
2. Strengthen critical infrastructure systems
by answering three key questions.
Question 1
What happened during
Sandy and why?
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Question 2
What could happen in
the future?
Question 3
How do we
rebuild post-Sandy
and prepare
for a future with climate
change?

3. Agenda
 Sandy and the Risks of Climate Change
 PlaNYC: A Stronger, More Resilient New York
 Implementation
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4. Sandy
The experience of Hurricane Sandy leads to several key lessons.
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Building codes work.
 1-story, combustible, pre-1961 structures: 18% of inundated buildings; 73% of destroyed structures
We must reject the false dichotomy of green vs. grey infrastructure.
 The right solution will depend on specific and local risks
Infrastructure systems are linked.
 When the power goes out, nearly every other system goes out
 Supply chains need to be hardened against emergencies
Prepared communities bounce back more quickly.
 Neighborhoods with strong, local ties are able to come together during the immediate recovery
Sandy wasn’t a worst case scenario.
 The timing of the storm determined its impacts
We are vulnerable now and must act to reduce our risks.
 Let others debate the causes, or even the existence, of climate change
 The risks of extreme weather are here now
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5. The Risks of Climate Change
NYC faces a range of risks from climate change into the 2020s and 2050s.
NYC Panel on Climate Change (NPCC) projects increased chronic climate hazards…
 Increases in average temperature and precipitation
 Sea levels likely to rise 1-2 ft.; maybe by 2½ ft. by 2050s
…and increased impact from extreme weather events.
 Higher frequency and magnitude of coastal flooding
 More heat waves: number of days in NYC above 90⁰ could triple
Analysis indicates a real cost of inaction…
 Similar likelihood event in the 2050s could be 5 times as costly
 Every $1 invested now saves $4 later through reduced damage
…and the Sandy supplemental funds provide a unique opportunity to invest now
to reduce those future risks.
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6. Agenda
 Sandy and the Risks of Climate Change
 PlaNYC: A Stronger, More Resilient New York
 Implementation
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7. A Stronger, More Resilient New York
A Stronger, More Resilient New York
• Analysis and recommendations built
on best available science
• 257 initiatives, including 59
milestones to be met in 2013
• Recommendations to strengthen
coastal defenses, improve buildings,
protect infrastructure and make
neighborhoods safer and more
vibrant
• Accountability measures and a clear
implementation plan
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8. Four Principles of Resiliency
To address the risks of climate change, the City has developed a plan that adheres to
four core principles.
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Acknowledge resource limits, but seek to stretch resources
 Maximize benefits per dollar (including non-monetary benefits, such as vulnerability of population)
 Leverage existing resources to increase return on investment
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Create multiple defensive layers (reduce impacts, while allowing faster recovery)
 First Layer: Coastal defenses (less flooding; less impact)
 Second Layer: Buildings (less serious damage; faster rehabitation)
 Third Layer: Infrastructure and critical systems (fewer outages; faster restoration)
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Be ambitious, but seek achievability
 Can be significantly more resilient
 Aim for the stars, but do not fail to launch
In impacted areas, do not abandon the waterfront (rebuild and, where possible, improve)
 Fight for coastal neighborhoods
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9. Physical Resiliency
Investing in new infrastructure can help reduce the risk to our neighborhoods, critical
services, businesses, and vulnerable populations.
Newtown Creek Local Storm Surge Barrier
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10. Physical Resiliency
The City’s plan includes detailed recommendations for a first line of defense on the
coastline.
Proposals
The 1st phase of the $3.7 billion plan will
include 37 initiatives to protect vulnerable
areas from waves and inundation based on
four key strategies:
1. Increase coastal edge elevations
2. Minimize upland wave zones
3. Protect against storm surge
4. Improve coastal design and governance
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11. Physical Resiliency
As additional resources are found, the City’s plan calls for the completion of a full-build
set of coastal protections that expand on its first phase strategies over time.
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12. Physical Resiliency
The City’s plan also includes detailed recommendations for protecting buildings.
Buildings
 Strengthen City building code to increase flood
and wind resiliency for new buildings
 For 68,000 existing buildings in floodplain,
initiate a $1.2B retrofit incentive for protection
of building systems and, for the most vulnerable
buildings, structural integrity.
 Funds reserved for small homes,
industrial buildings, and affordable
housing in each borough
 Mandate key system protection for
largest buildings in City by 2030
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13. Social and Economic Resiliency
Neighborhood enhancements, including land use changes, economic development, and
capacity-building can also promote quicker recovery times.
B. 116th Retail Corridor Enhancements
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14. Social and Economic Resiliency
The City’s resiliency plan includes proposals to address challenges associated with
FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program.
First floor:
4 ft below BFE
At BFE
3 ft above BFE
Premiums:
NFIP Challenges
City Proposals
1. Affordability
 Repeal of subsidies under Biggert-Waters Act
 New maps expanding 100-yr. floodplain
1. Promote and fund mitigation to reduce risk
 Invest in risk reduction measures
 Work with FEMA on credits for mitigation
2. Missing Data
 FEMA lacks elevation data for many policies
2. Launch NYC affordability analysis
 Work with FEMA to gather missing data
 Advocate for Federal needs-based subsidies and
lower-cost, higher-deductible policies
3. Low Uptake
 80% of residential buildings inundated by
Sandy did not have flood insurance coverage
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3. Advocate for delay of Biggert-Waters
 Address affordability first

15. Resiliency Initiatives
This includes South Queens.
Plan Highlights
Develop comprehensive revitalization plans for Boardwalk, B.
116th St., B. 108th St. and Mott Ave.
Work with USACE to install double dune system in Breezy Pt.
and to study system for rest of Rockaway Peninsula
Work with USACE to study and install wetland and wave
attenuation in Howard Beach
Develop a plan to address frequent tidal inundation in Broad
Channel and Hamilton Beach
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16. Resiliency Initiatives
Recently completed some key milestones in South Queens
 U.S. Army Corps beach
replenishment
 Jamaica Bay Science and Resilience
Institute agreement signed with
CUNY
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17. Agenda
 Sandy and the Risks of Climate Change
 PlaNYC: A Stronger, More Resilient New York
 Implementation
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18. Resiliency Team
… is coordinating the resiliency efforts of many agencies across the City.
LL84 (2013) :
 Enshrines structure
 Requires annual
progress reports
 Requires quadrennial
updates to the plan
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19. Implementation
…And while this is necessarily a long-term plan, the City has already taken steps, with
many partners, to advance many of its key initiatives, including these highlights.
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Strengthening Coastal Defenses
 Placed 1.2m cy of sand on City beaches
 Expanded dune grass production
 Launched feasibility study of Seaport City
Upgrading Buildings
 Passed 16 of 22 local laws to improve building resiliency
 Launching building resiliency incentive program
Protecting Critical Infrastructure and Services
 Supported ConEd’s $1 billion in resiliency investments
 Invested in expanded bluebelts
 Launching telecom resiliency office
Making Neighborhoods Safer and More Vibrant
 Launched Game Changer competition
 Advocated for affordability measures in NFIP
 Released Staten Island beach concession RFEI

20. Website: www.nyc.gov/resiliency
Email: NYCresiliency@cityhall.nyc.gov
Twitter: @PlaNYC
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