This research project examined the coastal resilience of a waterfront park in New York City five years after opening.  The study focused on understanding how elements of the design and construction of Hunter’s Point South Waterfront Park phase 1 contributed to a high level of resilience during and after Hurricane Sandy, especially related to coastal flooding, storm surge, and heavy rains.  In addition, the study generated metrics in order to understand the social and economic benefits of the park.  Team members utilized drone-captured still photography and video taken over the course of a day, on-site hand tabulated data, interviews, storm surge models, and hydrodynamic modeling to analyze the site and usage.  Part of the investigation was conducted with researchers from Penn State University and funded by the Landscape Architecture Foundation’s Landscape Performance Series through a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Arts Works grant.  Funding also came from the Patrick T. Curran Fellowship.  The project continues SWA’s work on post-occupancy assessment for the fifth year.

RESEARCH TEAM

Principal Investigator: Anya Domlesky, Director of Research, SWA
Emily Schlickman, Associate, SWA
Tom Balsley, Principal, SWA/Balsley
Brian Staresnick, Associate, SWA/Balsley
Bill Tatham, Photographer, SWA
Elvis Wong, Landscape Designer, SWA
Lisa Du Russel, Visiting Professor of Practice, The Penn State University
Aastha Singh, student, The Penn State University

THANKS TO

Heather Whitlow and Megan Barnes, the Landscape Architecture Foundation
Michael Koontz, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation
Lee Lim, Weiss/Manfredi
Sean Baker, Galvin Brothers
Brigid Keating, NYC Economic Development Corporation
Andrew Watkins, SWA