New York City Mayor's Office of Resiliency
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| New York City Mayor's Office of Resiliency | |
|---|---|
| Name | New York City Mayor's Office of Resiliency |
| Formed | 2013 |
| Jurisdiction | New York City |
| Headquarters | Manhattan, New York |
| Chief1 name | (see Organizational Structure and Leadership) |
| Parent agency | New York City Mayor's Office |
New York City Mayor's Office of Resiliency The office coordinates urban resilience planning for New York City, working across climate adaptation, coastal protection, and infrastructure projects with partners such as Federal Emergency Management Agency, United States Army Corps of Engineers, The Rockefeller Foundation, United Nations agencies, and Columbia University. It develops strategies that link local plans like PlaNYC, OneNYC, and NYC Hazard Mitigation Plan to regional initiatives involving New York State, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and New York City Department of Transportation.
Overview
The office focuses on preparing New York City neighborhoods for threats identified in events such as Hurricane Sandy, Superstorm Sandy (2012), and heat waves impacting Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. It coordinates resilience planning with agencies including New York City Department of Environmental Protection, New York City Housing Authority, Department of Buildings (New York City), New York City Emergency Management, and academic partners like New York University and Princeton University. Programs align with federal frameworks from National Climate Assessment, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and standards from the American Society of Civil Engineers.
History and Development
Established after the regional response to Superstorm Sandy (2012), it evolved amid policy debates in New York State Senate and municipal initiatives led by successive mayors including Michael Bloomberg, Bill de Blasio, and Eric Adams. Early milestones tied to reports by FEMA and commissions such as the Rebuild by Design competition, with notable projects influenced by practitioners from Sasaki Associates, Aurelia Foundation, and consultants allied with Arup Group. The office integrated lessons from international cases like Hurricane Katrina, Typhoon Haiyan, and flood responses in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
Programs and Initiatives
Initiatives include coastal protection programs implemented in coordination with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, neighborhood flood mitigation modeled after Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency (LMCR), and community resilience efforts mirroring projects in Red Hook (Brooklyn), Rockaway Peninsula, and South Bronx. The office administers grant programs working with funders such as The Rockefeller Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to support resilience hubs, energy microgrids, and green infrastructure promoted by firms like WSP Global and Jacobs Engineering Group. Cross-sector partnerships involve Con Edison, National Grid, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and nonprofit implementers including Community Board organizations and Trust for Public Land.
Organizational Structure and Leadership
The office operates within the New York City Mayor's Office framework, liaising with commissioners from New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, New York City Department of Sanitation, and agency chiefs at NYCHA and NYC Health + Hospitals. Leadership has included directors appointed under mayors such as Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams, and technical advisors drawn from institutions like Columbia University Earth Institute, Cornell University Cooperative Extension, and consulting firms including Arup Group and AECOM. Governance involves coordination with elected officials from the New York City Council, state representatives in the New York State Assembly and New York State Senate, and federal legislators including delegations to the United States Congress.
Funding and Partnerships
Funding sources combine municipal budgets approved by the New York City Council, state appropriations from New York State Division of Budget, federal grants from FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, and philanthropic support from entities like The Rockefeller Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Project delivery frequently partners with public authorities such as the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, private utilities including Con Edison, engineering contractors like Skanska, and academic partners such as Columbia University, New York University》， and City University of New York. Intergovernmental funding aligns with federal programs from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and initiatives under the Biden administration climate plans.
Impact, Assessments, and Criticism
Evaluations by organizations including FEMA, Natural Resources Defense Council, Union of Concerned Scientists, and academic reviews from Columbia University and Princeton University have assessed the office's strategies for effectiveness in flood reduction, heat mitigation, and social equity in neighborhoods like Red Hook (Brooklyn), Coney Island, and Far Rockaway. Critics from advocacy groups such as New York Lawyers for the Public Interest and community organizations in Council Districts have argued about displacement risks, funding allocation, and pace of implementation, referencing cases reviewed by the New York State Attorney General and coverage in outlets like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Gothamist. Proponents point to collaborations with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and measurable infrastructure outcomes in pilot projects supported by Rebuild by Design competitions.