Rebuild by Design in Hoboken: A Design Competition as a Means for Achieving Flood Resilience of Urban Areas through the Implementation of Green Infrastructure

Abstract

Abstract:The Rebuild by Design (RBD) competition was launched after the devastating impact of Hurricane Sandy, and the winning designs have put a significant emphasis on green infrastructure (GI) as a means of achieving flood resilience in urban areas. Previous research in the field of urban stormwater management indicates that wide-spread implementation of GI remains a challenge, largely due to a lack of understanding of the required governance approaches. Therefore, by using a case study of Hoboken, for which the winning design was developed, this paper explores whether RBD provides governance structures and processes needed for the uptake of GI. Semi-structured interviews and desk study provided the data for an analysis of the presence of factors for supporting the transformative governance needed to facilitate the uptake of innovative solutions. Results indicate that RBD brought a greater change in terms of governance processes when compared to governance structures. In Hoboken, RBD created a narrative for long-term change, put GI as a preferred solution for tackling multiple challenges, and strengthened the local political buy-in. However, pitfalls were observed, such as limited funding provision, lack of regulatory compliance, economic justification and large investments required from public and private parties. The absence of these factors can hinder the overall uptake of the GI solution. Even though the design competition presents a novel approach to the field of resilience development, further steps should be made in understanding how the RBD methodology can be adjusted to provide results of equal quality in different settings (e.g., less developed regions, different governance contexts).

The blue-green path to urban flood resilience

“…Alongside continuing investment in traditional grey infrastructure (e.g. flood walls, barriers, lined drainage channels, underground pipes and detention tanks), many cities are transitioning from solely flood defence to greater water resilience by implementing approaches centred on, for example, water sensitive urban design (Sharma et al 2016), sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) (Lashford et al 2019), green infrastructure (Trogrlićet al 2018) and 'Sponge Cities' (Zevenbergen et al 2018). These approaches are subtly different but all embody the concept of a 'Blue-Green City', where integrated water management and green infrastructure work in concert to recreate a naturally oriented water cycle to help manage flood risk while delivering multiple benefits to the environment, society and economy (Lawson et al 2014).…”

Wind disasters adaptation in cities in a changing climate: A systematic review

“…Despite the urgent need for resettling after wind hazards, scientists noticed the environmental impacts of temporary housing during the recovery period [ 148 ]. The idea of sustainability is incorporated in the urban post-disaster recovery projects [ 149 ], with an emphasis on structural design [ 150 ] and green infrastructure projects [ 151 , 152 ]. Hoeferlin promoted sustainability by reusing old buildings instead of demolishing them in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina [ 153 ].…”

(Re)emphasizing Urban Infrastructure Resilience via Scoping Review and Content Analysis

“…It is increasingly recognized that the resilience of urban infrastructure requires green infrastructure approaches that can reduce the demands and risks on conventional built infrastructure. This approach has been shown to generate a number of co-benefits (e.g., improved air quality) and to be applicable to a number of climate hazards (e.g., flooding) [63][64][65]. There are formal approaches emerging that enable infrastructure designers to formally leverage ecosystem services.…”