The Upper Manhatta (N) Project

BACK THE
THE
UP P ER M AN H AT TAN
PROJECT
UP PER M A N H AT TA N PRO J ECT

2018
AAK PRESS
We didn’t land on Plymouth Rock,
the rock was landed on us.
- Malcolm X
4 /// The Upper Manhattan Project The Upper Manhattan Project \\\ 5
Contents
1. Introduction 7
A Upper Manhattan Map C Sea Level Rise

B Climate Change Impacts D Community-based Planning
2. Climate Change and Social Inequality 17
A Demographics E Indigenous Peoples Rights

B Economic Inequality F Gender and Cimate Change
C Gentrification G Differing Abilities
D Climate Justice
3. Upper Manhattan Projects 29
A Energy F Green Infrastructure

B Emergencies G Governance
C Heat H Housing
D Food and Waste I Waterfronts
E Social Hubs
A barrier erected in East Harlem to protect the subway from flooding
during Superstorm Sandy. Photo by: Leonard Wiggins/MTA New York 4. Reference Material 128
City Transit. October 22, 2013.
A Glossary E Emergency Communications
B Bibliography F Weather Forecasting
C Image Credits G Power Map
D Organizing Principles
6 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 1 \\\ 7
1. Introduction
The Upper Manhattan Project

(formerly the Upper Manhattan
Climate Action Plan) is a plan for
surviving the future of climate change
in New York City, and specifically
Upper Manhattan. Like the Manhattan
Project of the 20th century, this
Project is about guiding the future
of our communities, except making
them more resilient rather than
creating weapons to destroy them.
The concepts in this manual are

based on a planning process that
began in 2015 and that includes input
from local residents, environmental
justice organizations, city agencies,
academic research institutions,
and hundreds of other sources
with expertise on climate change.
This is dedicated to their hard work
in making New York City and the
world a better place.
Community workshop in Washington Heights. April 4th, 2015. In the following pages the
connection is made between our
ability to prepare for climate change
and our ability end extreme social
inequality. Engaging in the actions First climate resilience plan
listed here can create systems published in 2015
of environmental sustainability,
community reinvestment, and
political action, which could prepare
New Yorkers from displacement by
climate change or any other force.
8 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 1: Introduction \\\ 9
A. Upper Manhattan Map
Critical infrastructure such as Washington Heights

waste treatment facilities, energy (District 12)
systems, and transportation Inwood
(District 12)
routes, will be increasingly
disrupted by climate change
Hudson River
Hudson River
St
12
an
ckm
179th St
Broadway
Dy
Broadway
West Broa
Harlem 9 dwa
y
St
(District 9)
5th
12
145th St
Central
Harlem Areas outside of the floodzone
(District 10) Malcolm X Blvd
10 are still at risk from heatwaves
r
ve and increased precipitation
Ri
m
rle
Ha
96th Street
11 Community Districts
2nd Ave
NYC Parks
Many communities with

East River NYCHA Developments
affordable housing are
concentrated in areas that
Storm Evacuation Zones
will experience more floods
East Harlem and evacuations in the
(District 11) Members of WE ACT
Includes Randall’s Island
future (local environmental org)
Flood Hazard Lines
m 1500 600 0 1500 3000 4500 6000 ft Evacuation Centers

N
B. Impacts of Climate Change
In 2016 the greenhouse gases: 405

The City is building:
carbon dioxide (CO2)
walls, gates, drainage
PPM Carbon
Emissions
methane (CH4) and
nitrous oxide
(N2O) reached 405
systems, and st elevations
to prevent flooding
Source: NASA
375
parts per million 2006 Year 2016
2016 was the hottest year on record -

2.2ºF above preindustrial levels $45m Hunts Point
South bronx
the earth could warm 6 degrees
$100m
fahrenheit by 2050 and 8 degrees by 2080 Red Hook
Brooklyn
Between 2011 to 2015 Extreme weather
events increased by ten times
$108m
Brooklyn Bridge to
Battery Park City
a storm like Sandy could happen once Lower Manhattan
every 20 years
$203m
Hurricane Sandy caused 233 deaths and Montgomery Street to
Brooklyn Bridge
$60B damage across the US and Caribbean Lower Manhattan
Heat waves will triple by 2080
Himalayan glaciers could disappear by 2035 $480m Rockaway

Queens
Arctic sea ice has declined by 10% in the

past 30 years
Climate change threatens more than one

$500m South Shore
Staten Island
quarter of all species with extinction Funding is from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Emergency
by the year 2050 Management Agency, US Army Corp of Engineers, New York Sate and New York City.
C. Sea Level Rise
Sea levels were 18

to 27 feet higher Upper Manhattan
120,000 years ago Sea level rise simulations
sea levels may rise 2 feet rise West 206th Street and 9th Avenue // Elevation 3 feet
2 feet by 2050 9 feet rise
6 feet by 2100
Millions of new
Yorkers could be
climate refugees
1
Hudson River and West 130th Street and 12th Avenue // Elevation 7 feet
Long Island Sound
Ecosystems disrupted
In 2016 five states

had RAINFALL expected
once every 500 years
Extreme Precipitation Days 2 138th Street and Harlem River Drive // Elevation 0 feet
1.5x more frequent by 2080
2016 2080 3
+1.5x
4
2016 1x
2080 18x
110th Street and FDR // Elevation 0 feet
D. Community-based Planning
The New York City Panel on stable employment, among other

Climate Change (NPCC) defines things. Community establishes
resilience as “the ability of framework for planning
a system and its component The diagram on the right outlines process and outcomes
parts to anticipate, absorb, a process in which communities
accommodate, or recover from lead a climate resilience
the effects of a potentially process and retain the economic
hazardous event in a timely and capital associated with its
efficient manner.” Community- implementation. In this process
based planning for climate communities control decision-
change combines this standard making around environmental Partnerships provide
Can public institutions, such
definition of environmental stewardship and start/manage research support,
as government agencies and
resilience with that of social the enterprises necessary to financial capital, and
universities provide support?
resilience, which is the ability implement their resiliency plans. other resources
of groups or communities to These community managed
cope with external stresses enterprises are one way of
and disturbances as a result of ensuring “ownership” over the If the answer is yes
political, economic, and other environmental resources and
social changes. economic opportunities that will
be created in the city’s response
Local capacities are
For environmental justice to climate change.
built to implement plans Resources are applied
communities, meeting this
(including political based on community plans
definition of resilience requires
change)
creating new systems that include
their leadership and are based
on fairness and equity. Without
political change and greater
access to financial capital, many
communities will only become Complete projects and
more impoverished as climate reinvest in preparation
changes makes it more difficult for climate change
to have safe housing, reliable
transportation, healthy food, and
2. Climate Change and

Social Inequality
Millions of New Yorkers are at
risk of being harmed or displaced
by climate change as a result of
their income, race, gender, age,
and/or some other form of social
discrimination. The economic
impacts alone of climate change
will be devastating to places that
are already on the precipice of
being displaced due to exploitative
costs of rent, healthcare education,
food, and transportation, to name
a few. According to the City of
New York report, One NYC, 3.7
million New Yorkers live in poverty.
Without directly linking any
discussion about climate change to
inequality and displacement, NYC
may become more prepared for
Poster from a 1990s environmental
climate change, but those millions justice campaign in Upper Manahttan
of people fighting displacement
and poverty will have long been
forced out. This section highlights
Public housing without power after Superstorm Sandy. Image by Mark
the populations and geographic
Bonifacio/New York Daily News, published January 2016.
areas in Upper Manhattan that are
especially vulnerable to climate
change. When investing resources,
building new infrastructure, or
creating evacuation plans, these
areas and their populations should
be prioritized in order to avoid
a humanitarian catastrophe and
to ensure equity in our collective
response to climate change.
18 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 2: Climate Change and Social Inequality \\\ 19
A. Demographics
Population Growth by 2040 Black African American

(absolute and relative as percentage)
Dominican
Puerto Rican
NYC 9.2%
+780,000 White
Mexican
Manhattan 6.25% Asian
+100,000
Community Districts
Upper NYCHA Developments
Manhattan 5.5%
+30,000 NYC Parks
0 250,000 500,000 750,000 Flood Hazard Lines
Incarceration Rate
(per 100,000)
Manhattan 103
Upper
240
Manhattan
Central
336
Harlem
0 100 200 300
Race and ethnicity The number

Total population in Upper Manhattan of people
is roughly 550,000 5% who
4%
identify as
Latino
13% Black has
White gone down
47%
Asian 38% to 30%
Black African American 31% in some
Other
gentrifying
m ft
areas. N
60
0
15
30
15
60
45
0
00
00
00
00
00
B. Economic Inequality Average Income
the poverty rate in Underbanked* households Annual income for majority per block
U p p e r m a nhat t an
i s ov er 3 0 %
NYC 25% $7,000 - $14,000
Washington $14,000 - $20,000

Source: NYU Furhman Center
Heights 30% $20,000 - $26,000
In Manhattan the top 5% of *Households relying upon non-banks for
households earned $850,000 per crucial financial services such as cashing $26,000 - $30,000
year, or 88 times as much as the a check or purchasing a money order.
poorest 20%.
Community Districts
Households Without NYC Parks
Bank Account
20% 5
NYCHA Developments
20%
11.7% Flood Hazard Lines
1 88% NYC Central Harlem
$60,000/year
person with
one child $16,020/year
$30,000/year
individual
> $11,880/year person with
individual one child
Living wage in NYC Federal Poverty Level

Including cost of living
The median family income in East

Harlem is $23,000 per year
% People Unemployed
Manhattan
Northern
Manhattan
West
Harlem
m ft
0 5 10 15
N
60
0
15
30
15
60
45
0
00
00
00
00
00
C. Gentrification Rent Burden
Average Rent increase from 2000-2012 30% - 33%

NYC 33% - 34%
2012 Central Harlem East Harlem Washington
2012 Heights 34% - 37%
+75%
+44.7% 2012
2000 2000
+34.2%
2000 +24.1%
2012
2000
37% - 40%
45% - 50%
45% - 50%
Community Districts
Average Rent increase in NYC from 1990 - 2012 NYC Parks
1990-2000 x1 NYCHA Developments
2000-2012 x9 HDFCs
-12 yrs Old Developments
median rent for one bedroom APARTMENT
+18% Vacant Units
YEAR 2000 YEAR 2016
Proposed Rezonings
East Harlem $1,600 $2,300
Flood Hazard Lines
West Harlem $1,500 $2,175
Proposed Rezonings
Central Harlem $1,450 $2,100
Map includes gross rent as %
Washington Heights $1,300 $1,750
of median household income for
households earning less than
Rent burdened residents in Upper Manhattan $50,000
0% 50% 100%
Rents in East To afford a rent of

Harlem rose $2,300 landlords can
require a tenant to earn
5.5% from 40 times that amount,
2015 to 2016 which is $92,000 a year
Climate change dramatically making some groups extremely

accelerates the process of vulnerable. Current tools for
gentrification and displacement redevelopment such as rezonings,
by forcing the migration of people tax increment financing, and other
who can't afford the technology methods of attracting speculative
and resources necessary to investors, are not reliable tools
deal with changing weather. In in preserving community as
places like Miami, developers it is, let alone after a climate
have begun buying land on change disaster. For example,
higher elevations and causing the major policy incentive for
the displacement of communities affordable housing in New York
that have lived there for decades. City, titled 421-a, is expected
In New Orleans, after Hurricane to cost the City $2.4 billion per
Katrina, black communities were year in lost tax revenue. That is
displaced by white gentrifiers revenue that could be invested
with access to more capital/ in environmental protections and
power. These changes in racial climate related services.
demographics in New Orleans
have been reflected in an average As opposed to facilitating
income change in some areas of displacement, climate justice
$37,455 before Hurricane Katrina solutions seek to build local
to $57,279 afterwards. wealth as a means of becoming
resilient. By building new
After Superstorm Sandy, many housing and retrofitting existing
resilience measures were buildings to produce renewable
proposed in NYC that would energy, become energy efficient,
have had the perverse effect of and provide greater access to
increasing displacement. These childcare, healthcare, education,
redevelopments were presented and healthy food, among other
as infrastructure solutions, things, we can prepare for a
and may have reduced carbon hotter and wetter world but also Top: A luxury housing development next to Marcus Garvey Park
emissions and stopped severe preserve local cultures and the in Central Harlem where residents complained about a weekly
flooding, but were dependent communities that make them drumming circle that happened in the park. Bottom: One of the
on attracting an affluent possible. few supermarkets in East Harlem. It will be closed and replaced
demographic that would have with market rate housing in 2017.
caused displacement by raising
disparities in class and race and
D. Climate Justice Residents

of Houston
escaping
Climate justice is a framework for often with few economic prospects rainfall in April
understanding climate change as and little political power. 2016 when the
an issue interdependent with social city received 15
inequality, rather than being only The number of people displaced is inches of rain in
environmental or physical in nature. set to sky-rocket due to sea level 24 hours.
Around the world climate change is rise and temperature changes.
causing extensive damage, much Within this century major cities
of it to indigenous communities like New York and Miami, and
and to poor and oppressed peoples many more around the world,
everywhere. Entire islands, could be rendered significantly
coastlines, and archipelagos are uninhabitable. Ensuring social Residents of
being lost, while entire regions equity in how people are supported New Orleans
walk amongst
inland are losing their ability to during climate disasters requires
shuttered
support native populations, not by fundamental changes in our
housing after
any doing of their own but because process of governance. With new
Hurricane
of decisions made on a global scale forms of political representation the Katrina.
by those in power. In this sense Climate Justice Alliance envisions
those that are least responsible a world:
for causing climate change are its * In which everyone lives a good
biggest victims. life by being in just and fair
relationship with each other and
According to the Displacement within healthy, interdependent
Monitoring Centre, in 2014 more ecosystems.
than 19 million people from 100 * Is based on a culture of sharing
countries were forced to flee rather than hoarding; localized Protesters at
their homes because of natural democracies rather than the Dakota
disasters. Other reports put globalized exploitation; the Web Access
that number in the hundreds of of Life rather than the Chain of Pipeline on
millions. In many places, including the Market. Fairness, equity October 31st,
New Orleans and New York City, and ecological rootedness are 2016.
these disasters displaced entire core values.
communities along the lines of * That celebrates and honors the
class and race, People who do not beauty and diversity of life and
have the means to protect their the rights of people to realize
homes, rebuild, or peacefully settle their full potential as creative
elsewhere are uprooted and have beings.
to start somewhere entirely new,
28 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 4I. Indigenous Peoples Rights \\\ 29
E. Indigenous Peoples Rights Wampums
Wampum is a traditional shell bead used by the northeastern indigenous peoples as

The land that is now New York City and shellfish from the bays of the a form of gift exchange. According to the Onondaga Nation, the wampum is a living
was settled as early as 9,000 years area. Scholars have estimated that record and has many uses, including currency, records of meetings, invitations,
ago. At the time of contact with at the time of European settlement, and more.
Europeans, the area of Manhattan there were at least 15,000 Lenape
was inhabited by the Lenape tribe total in approximately 80 settlement Lenape wampum:
The purple indicates
of indigenous peoples. Their tribe sites around much of the New York the course of a
spanned the lands from what is now City area, alone. In 1524 Lenape in Haudenosaunee
eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, canoes met Giovanni da Verrazzano canoe and a European
ship, traveling parallel
southern New York, and eastern as he sailed into the New York but never touching.
Delaware. harbor. The white stripes
represent peace and
Lenni-Lenape (or Lenni-Lenapi) Upper Manhattan was settled friendship.
comes from their autonym, Lenni, by Dutch immigrants in the early
which may mean "genuine, pure, and mid-seventeenth century.
Wampum belt
real, original," and Lenape, meaning Resistance to Dutch settlement was given by the Lenni
"man". The Lenape lived in numerous led by the Munsee tribe living on Lenape tribe to
small towns along the rivers and the north end of the island. Warfare William Penn for the
“Treaty of Amity and
streams that fed the waterways. with and raids by the Munsees Friendship” in 1683.
temporarily ended the northward
By the time of the arrival of Europeans, expansion of the Dutch settlers in
the Lenape were cultivating fields the 1650s. In 1664, New Amsterdam Hiawatha belt:
of vegetation through the slash was transferred from the Dutch to The flag of the
Haudenosaunee
and burn technique. They also the English and became New York. Confederacy,
harvested vast quantities of fish which included the
Mohawk, Onondaga,
Oneida, Cayuga,
Seneca, and
Tuscarora peoples.
30 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 4J. Gender Rights and Climate Change \\\ 31
F. Gender and Climate Change Equity in Decision-making

In climate related fields, including
scientific research and governance,
Women and LGBTQ Rights industries ranging from healthcare
there are significant gender disparities.
to homeworkers will have to adapt to
Climate change creates additional According to one study, globally
climate change. Addressing gender
challenges in attaining social justice for women account for fewer than 30%
inequality can include a number of
women and members of the LGBTQ of scientific journal publications.
strategies:
community. Studies have shown that For every article with a female first
* Engaging in discussions about
women and girls are 14 times more author, there are nearly two articles
gender specific needs in public
likely to die than men during a disaster, first-authored by men (nature.com).
policies and how we build our
and that those gender disparities are Gender parity in climate change
communities
linked to economic and social rights. planning would be significant progress
* Connecting struggles for gender
In the 1991 cyclone disasters which towards social justice. Discussions
equity in climate change with
killed 140,000 in Bangladesh, for regarding gender and climate change,
broader struggles against hetero
example, 90% of victims were women. led by and inclusive of the communities
patriarchy, matriarchy, racism, and
During the 2006 tsunami, more women that are being discussed, can outline
neo-colonialism.
died than men, including in Indonesia key concerns and next steps forward.
* Ensuring adequate protections for
and Sri Lanka where male survivors Immediate next steps can include an
women and LGBTQ evacuees
outnumbered female survivors by 3 assessment of gender equity within
* Including gender (and gender
to 1. Similar trends can be found in climate planning organizations and
identity) parity in planning and Top image: Mayor of San Juan, PR, Carmen
disasters in cities throughout the world. efforts to be more gender inclusive in Yulín Cruz. Bottom image: FEMA meeting.
decision-making
regard to public participation.
* Providing resources, including
Climate change will also cause
training, for law enforcement to Sexual Assault
long-term ramifications for women
provide security for groups under
led industries. Women farmers After a disaster, people are more Protective measures can include:
duress
account for 45-80 per cent of all food vulnerable to sexual victimization. * Providing privacy and safe lodging
production in developing areas. Other 1. https://cmsdata.iucn.org The Women’s Legal Defense and for residents and staff of emergency
Education Fund points out that the housing
trauma of sexual violence can be made * Ensuring the presence of adequate,
worse by the added trauma of living trained shelter staff, volunteers,
through climate change and without law enforcement and other security
housing, electricity, water, medical personnel, including designated
services, and other necessities. Victims individuals to look out for signs of
may not be able to report because sexual violence;
communication lines are down and * Providing mandatory orientation
because anti-violence personnel are sessions and written resources to
struggling with their own emergencies. educate shelter populations about
In addition, victims may be unable to sexual assault, safety measures,
physically reach critical services or reporting options, and how to
resources, such as a hospitals and law identify shelter security officials and
enforcement, which may be focused on locations, as well as safe places
rescue efforts. The emergency shelters that have a constant security
Recovery efforts in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, 2017.
may not offer enough privacy to facilitate presence in place.
conversations about assault.
32 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 4K. Planning for Different Abilities \\\ 33
G. Differing Abilities Language and Communications

Building inclusive, vibrant democracies
depends on the active engagement of
Physical Abilities all citizens in public life. People with
The Global Partnership for Disability "disabilities" represent approximately
and Development (GPDD) has stated 15% of the population. Through
that due to "existing inequities and involvement in political activity,
disparities, people with disabilities will law and policy reform, disabled
face a disproportionate impact due to people and their organizations can
climate change. People with disabilities influence improvements in the areas
and their families need adaptation and of health, rehabilitation, education,
coping strategies and robust systems employment, and access to goods
and mechanisms that can mitigate and and services. The UN Convention
minimize the harmful effects of climate on the Rights of Persons with
change, and promote sustainable Disabilities, Article 29 of the CRPD
access to basic necessities, secure calls on nations to ensure persons
livelihoods, health care, and social and with disabilities can effectively, fully
civic participation." The images to the participate in political and public life.
right depict an evacuee stranded after Even in the most difficult elections
Hurricane Harvey (Houston, 2017), and situations, the rights of disabled
below that an image of an electrical citizens can be recognized. More at:
installation placed on a rooftop in order to http://www.miusa.org/
maintain critical services during a flood.
Architecture and Design
Cognitive Abilities the Psychosocial Challenge", between
25-50% of all people exposed to an According to the National Disability
Climate change disasters can be have Authority (NDA): Universal Design
extreme weather disaster may have
severe mental health impacts across is the design and composition of
some adverse mental health effects.
the globe. The evacuation process, an environment so that it can be
The stress and confusion caused
destruction to home and community, accessed, understood and used to the
by climate change can necessitate
disruption of economies and access
additional mental health care and greatest extent possible by all people
to basic goods and services, can play
services, especially for people with regardless of their age, size, or ability.
a role in deteriorating mental health.
pre-existing conditions and that may An environment (or any building,
One article titled " Extreme Weather
already be dependent on family/ product, or service in that environment)
Events and Mental Health: Tackling
friends or professionals for support. should be designed to meet the needs
of all people who wish to use it. If an
environment is accessible, usable,
convenient and a pleasure to use,
everyone benefits. By considering
the diverse needs and abilities of Images from top to bottom: 1) translation
all throughout the design process, services being offered at a public meeting,
universal design creates products, 2) symbols for sign language and visually
services and environments that meet impaired services, 3) staircase with ramp
Community meetings should be welcome of people with all abilities and different methods of contribution. for accessibility, 4) accessible bathroom
peoples' needs. facilities.
3. The Upper Manhattan

Project Issues
A Energy
B Emergencies
C Heat
D Food and Waste
E Social Hubs
F Green Infrastructure
G Governance
The aftermath of Superstorm Sandy in Lower Manhattan. Image by
James Keivom, New York Daily News. January 19, 2016.
H Housing
I Waterfronts
36 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 3A: Energy \\\ 37
3A Energy
Local financial institutions can provide
non-predatory loans for green energy
A key element in climate resilience Tenants of affordable housing systems
is transitioning our energy system will experience more of a cost
from being based on fossil fuels burden for energy and a greater
Energy democracy is when
and a centralized grid system to likelihood of blackouts as
residents of an area have a greater
one based on renewable energy temperatures go up. Renewable
voice in deciding how energy is
energy can reduce energy costs,
and distributed generation. generated and how the energy
prevent blackouts, and create
Renewable energy systems system is managed
local jobs.
can reduce carbon emissions,
mitigating climate change, while
also creating new industry that is
managed communally.
Over the next several decades,

billions of dollars will be invested
in designing, building, and
maintaining new energy systems.
These systems can double-down
on the centralized grid, gas, oil,
and nuclear systems that New
York State is already dependent
on, or they can be transitioned
to sources of renewable energy
that are not managed by large
New York State is investing millions
bureaucracies, but rather by
of dollars in creating microgrids
community-based institutions that
where blackouts occurred during
can reinvest resources back in Superstorm Sandy. With greater
the community, including in the community participation microgrids
form of access to financial capital, Organizing residential and
can be located in the right places to
jobs, educational opportunities, commercial tenants into consumers
protect the people at the greatest
and producer cooperatives can
and more. risk of suffering.
increase investments in energy, Social Hubs can support
reduce costs, and provide needed community members in
ownership and employment within organizing and installing a
energy industries. “shared solar” system.
Energy Democracy Rooftop Shade
Average cost of Electricity in 2016 26 Sun

(Cents per Kilowatthour)
15
10.5
7.5
Washington National Avg New York Hawaii Shade

State State
Priority Areas
Community Districts
ConEdison is spending $1,000,000,000
upgrading substations and other distribution NYC Parks
equipment after damage from sandy Flood Hazard Lines
Energy Sources
The NY-Sun Initiative aims to add Existing Solar Installations
3 gigawatts of small-scale solar Historic Districts
across the state by 2023
66% of NYC’s buildings can support solar

panels, making 5,847 megawatts of energy.
That amount can supply 50% of peak demand
and 14% of the city’s annual electricity use.
12
only 26 solar systems have been built 5t
h
St
in upper manhattan
ow-income New Yorkers pay up to

L
13% of their income on energy. The
average family in the US pays 1.5%.
5 solar installers were operating in NYC

in 2005, by 2015 the number grew to
m ft
55 companies and 2,700 workers.
N
60
0
15
30
15
60
45
0
00
00
00
00
00
City and State Policy
YC 80 x 50: New York City plan to

N cool roofs as long as the coating covers
reduce carbon emissions by 80% 50% of the roof area. http://www.nyc. Current energy Transition to 100%
by 2050. Includes interim target of gov/html/gbee/html/initiatives/cool- consumption for renewables for
40% reductions by 2030. Requires roofs.shtml
significant reductions in emissions
NY State ny state
Local Law 86: Requires that new
from the city’s energy supply, buildings,
construction or renovations to a
transportation, and solid waste. http://
building receiving $10 million or more
www1.nyc.gov/site/sustainability/
in City funds must meet Leadership
codes/80x50.page.
in Energy and Environmental Design
One City, Built to Last: A key element (LEED) standards. http://www.nyc.gov/
of the 80 x 50 plan, it focuses on html/oec/html/ green/ll86_basics.shtml
reducing emissions by retrofitting
Local Law 84: Requires all privately
every single City-owned building with
owned buildings over 50,000 sq. ft. to
significant energy use reductions by
annually measure and report energy
2025. It includes installing 100 MW of
consumption figures. http://www.nyc.
solar power on schools and other public
gov/html/planyc2030/downloads/pdf/
facilities. http://www.nyc.gov/html/
ll84of2009_benchmarking.pdf
builttolast/pages/home/home.shtml
Local Law 85: Requires that any
New York State Energy Affordability Gas & Oil 46% Offshore Wind 40%
renovations to the building must be in
Policy limits energy costs for low-
compliance with energy code. http:// Nuclear 14% Solar Plants 36%
income customers to no more than 6%
www.nyc.gov/html/gbee/html/plan/ll85.
of household income. Over 1.5 million Hydro 11% Onshore Wind 10%
shtml
will receive deductions. https:// www.
Gas 10% Hydroelectric 7%
nyserda.ny.gov/ Local Law 87: Mandates that buildings
over 50,000 sq ft undergo periodic Oil 7% Residential Rooftop Solar 3%
New York State Climate and
energy audit and retro-fitting. http:// Hydro Pumped Storage 4% Commercial Rooftop Solar 3%
Community Protection Act
www.nyc.gov/ html/gbee/html/plan/ll87.
(proposed): Financing options and Coal 4% Wave and Tide Devices 1%
shtml
laws to promote green building.
Wind 4%
Local Law 88: Requires City buildings,
Zone Green: Zoning code
commercial and mixed-use buildings Other Renewable 1%
amendments for window shades, solar
to upgrade all lighting fixtures to meet
electric and solar hot water panels to
energy code standards by 2025. http://
extend above height limit, removing Source: NY State Energy and Source: The Solutions Project
www. nyc.gov/html/gbee/html/plan/ll88.
penalties for thicker exterior walls, and Research Development Agency
shtml
other efficiency improvements. http://
www.nyc.gov/html/gbee/html/codes/ NYS A00101: Provides a green
zone.shtml roof installation income tax credit
of 55% for green roof installation
Local Law 21: Amends the NYC
costs. http://assembly.state.ny.us/
Building Code to permit roof coating
leg/?bn=A00101&term=2015
on existing and new buildings. Enables
Rooftop Solar
olar is one of the most abundant,

S are installed remotely. This allows 1,000kWh per year. A baseline of tons of greenhouse gas emissions
and underutilized, sources of energy tenants who do not own or have ten members prevents many smaller a year. Schools in Upper Manhattan
in NYC. Solar could provide 14% of access to their rooftops to receive buildings in NY from participating in that are being considered are PS 92
the city’s annual use and as much as solar energy, and for buildings with shared solar and should be changed, (222 West 134th St), PS 242 (134
50% during peak demand periods, greater energy demands than what at least for residents of NYC. The West 122nd St), and IS 201/Arthur
but currently provides less than 1% their roof can provide to still get terms of membership, including Schomburg High School (2005
of the city’s energy. Furthermore, energy from solar. Through “remote payment structure and provisions for Madison Ave).
only 200 of the 10,000 Con Edison net metering,” subscribers receive a exiting membership, are set by the
customers who generate their own credit on their energy bill for excess agreement between the member and Adding battery storage to a solar
solar qualify as being low-income. City energy they produce. sponsor. installation allows tenants to store
government has identified solar as a energy produced by solar panels
key strategy for meeting emissions Members of a shared solar project In Upper Manhattan there are during the day for consumption at
reductions targets, reducing the must be in the same utility zone (NYC hundreds of HDFC Coop buildings, night. Batteries also provide a backup
cost of energy for New Yorkers, and is in the same zone) and each project public housing developments, option in case of an energy blackout,
reducing the load on the grid as to must have a sponsor who owns universities, hospitals, and other The annual capacity of solar battery
prevent blackouts from occurring, or operates the project. Sponsors buildings that could collaborate in storage systems is expected to grow
yet there are only a handful of solar must work with partners to organize developing a shared solar installation. from 60MW to 14GW between 2014
installations in the entire city. the membership and work with the These efforts can also sync with and 2023.
utility in connecting to the grid. The microgrid projects.
Image on opposite page: Solar canopy
One state policy to increase solar sponsor may be a building owner, a
installation in Brooklyn that maximizes
in renter dominated NYC is the coop board, the project developer, New York City plans to build 24 solar
roofspace for energy production while
Community Shared Solar Act. a private company, or other entity. installations on public schools at a
maintaining access to ventilation and
Shared solar allows any residential Each project must have at least 10 cost of $28 million. The 6.25 MW of other infrastructure. Below: diagram
or commercial tenants to receive members (subscribers), and each solar produced by these installations of potential subscribers for a shared
their energy from solar panels that member must be allocated at least will reduce more than 2,800 metric solar installation.
HDFC Coop *University

}
Social Community
Members of Housing Center
an electrical School
cooperative
Microgrids
A microgrid is a group of buildings within a neighborhood that are connected Healthcare facilities are key
with each other via distributed energy generation systems. This arrangement partners in microgrid projects.
allows the microgrid to detach from the main grid should their be risk of a They usually have access to a
blackout. In NYC many people that lost power after Sandy are now developing large amount of roofspace and an
microgrids so they won’t lose power again during similar events in the future. interest in maintaining power at all
times and improving public health.
Microgrids should include a Areas with a large number

mix of building types including: of people that are unable to
NYCHA buildings, large coops, Rooftop solar and battery evacuate should be prioritized
libraries and community centers, storage systems can be applied within any microgrid. Including
universities, waste, transportation, within a microgrid to provide people without access to
and other key infrastructure, and clean and reliable energy. The transportation, people with
other building types that have the majority of buildings in NYC
disabilities, and people who do
appropriate infrastructure and are can support solar without great
expense. Adding solar can not have a social networks that
critical for maintaining resilience to can support them outside of
also reduce energy costs for
climate change. New York.
buildings within the microgrid.
Green Buildings
Energy democracy Sustainable Interiors

Energy democracy is a process of Sustainable interiors utilize materials
empowering local communities to that have a low carbon footprint. These
make decisions about their energy materials are often gathered from
production and consumption. local sources and/or are repurposed.
Democratizing energy can support They often emit low levels of volatile
development of small-scale solar organic compounds and can include
and other renewables according to carpets, wood flooring, wall and ceiling
local needs. It can also support a materials, furniture, and more. Paint,
local green economy by reducing coatings and hinge sealants with low
energy costs and creating VOC are also important. Air quality in
employment in high skilled jobs in unhealthy interiors can be up to 100
a rapidly growing industry. times) more polluted than outside.
Building Materials Passive Solar

Materials that have high thermal Orienting a building along the lines
resistance, such as brick and of available sunlight allows the use
wood, are efficient due to their of shading techniques, ventilation
ability to block the absorption of design, and the Sun’s natural
heat, and insulate from extreme energy for heating and cooling.
weather. New advances in These buildings often consume less
concrete and artificial materials energy and are less dependent on
will lead to building designs that automated HVAC systems. Passive
have light ecological footprints solar designs can be codified into
but can also withstand increasing building standards and incentivised
environmental threats. with fiscal policy.
Combined Heat and Power Terraforming

Combined heat and power (CHP) Emerging technology allows for
systems refers to the simultaneous buildings in the future to integrate
generation of electricity and building nature into their designs. Utilizing the
heat from the combustion of a fuel natural properties of plant and animal
or a solar heat collector. It is a highly life can eliminate our dependency on
efficient system of energy production polluting systems of infrastructure,
such as fossil fuels, and to create a
due to its dual use and applicability in
new safe and happier environment
high density developments. Pictured:
using biomimicry. This image was
Future Hallets Point development. presented as a vision for Paris in 2050.
Case Study: Coop Power
Co-Op Power is a consortium of According to the International

community-owned clean energy Cooperative Alliance, cooperatives
and energy efficiency cooperatives are based on:
in New England and upstate New - Membership open to anyone willing
York. The business seeks to create to accept responsibilities, regardless
structures of ownership for energy of race, religion, gender, or economic
consumers. The company states that circumstances
by empowering people to collectively - Democratic Member Control:
own local energy businesses, organizations controlled by their
“investments in clean energy directly members, who actively participate
benefit local residents through green in setting policies and making
jobs, capital, and energy savings.” decisions.
Using cooperative methods they - Members’ Economic Participation:
have raised “more than $320,000 Members contribute equitably to, and
in Member Equity, $840,000 in democratically control, the capital of
member loans, and $850,000 in their cooperative
local investment to support the - Autonomy and Independence: self-
development of community-scale help organizations controlled by their
clean energy projects.” According to members
their website “75% of member equity - Education, Training, and
is reinvested back into community Information: employees contribute
energy resources.” to the development of their
cooperatives.
Becoming a member of an electrical - Concern for Community: work
cooperative allows for: for the sustainable development of The community outreach and
- The potential of saving (based local communities through policies planning process for solar
on your purchases) thousands of supported by the membership development, engineering and
dollars on energy manufacturing solar panels,
- After five years, more significant More at: http://www.cooppower.coop/ and installing and maintaining
member discounts and dividends as solar systems, are all disciplines
a result of increased buying power, within an emerging solar industry
service offerings, and investments that can support local economic
maturity development and climate
- Making a member loan to a resilience.
community owned renewable energy
business
50 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 3B: Emergencies \\\ 51
3B Emergencies
Global warming means that we Manhattan has some of the oldest Community institutions have
will experience severe storms electrical infrastructure in the information about tenants that
more frequently. The impacts of country, leaving it susceptible to need special services, such
which will be flooding from more blackouts as the demand for energy as evacuation or emergency
precipitation and storm surges, grows healthcare, during an emergency.
This private data should be
damage from violent wind, more
protected but institutions should be
frequent heatwaves, drought,
empowered to connect tenants in
and more. When these events
need or directly provide services.
happen they can disrupt our lives
for years, if not wipe out entire
communities completely. In the
aftermath of a weather emergency
entire neighborhoods can be cut off
from reliable transportation, food
supplies, healthcare, education,
and other vital services.
To be prepared for emergencies,

the UMP advocates to:
1. Train local residents in emergency
preparedness techniques such as
evacuation, shelter in place, and Connecting tenants with each
how to monitor the weather among other, and with organizations that
other things. can provide support, is critical
2. Create a local communications to surviving an emergency. In
system that allows neighbors to have areas with high social cohesion,
reliable communications even when vulnerable populations can be
electricity and cell service are out. identified and receive evacuation
3. Create an information kiosk that and medical support. In places with
Social Hubs can serve as spaces
low social cohesion people risk not
serves as a hub for preparedness for organizing and providing shelter
receiving the services they need
training, receive emergency during an emergency. If they are Community centers can support
because they can’t communicate
communications, and provide key included within a microgrid they will peer to peer communication that
and service providers don’t know
services during an emergency also be safe from blackouts. allows for quick action during an
where/how to find them.
event. emergency.
Emergency Evacuations Emergency Evacuations
ay
dw
oa
Br
On September 11, 2001: NYC Parks
Dy
5 0 0 ,0 0 0 p eop l e w er e evacuated Waterfront Parks
ck
Rive
m
o u t o f ma nh a t t a n i n 9 h ours by
an
NYCHA Developments
son
hu n dr e d s of b oa t s
Hud
HDFCs
Storm Evacuation Zones
3 million people may be walking during Evacuation Centers
a large scale evacuation
Public Schools 179th
St
23 reception centers & shelters are Flood Hazard Lines
y
available in an emergency
dwa
Elevation Every 10ft
Broa
Evacuation Routes
The city has plans to move 400,000 to
2,000,000 people from the path of a
hurricane
One report stated that:

1 million people could be evacuated from
er
145
danger zones within 1 hour th S
Riv
t
Harlem
20% of New Yorkers lost electricity
after Superstorm Sandy
ver
n Ri
September 2005: October 2016:
y
dwa
12
so
3 million evacuate 2.5 million evacuate
5t
Hud
Broa
h
St
Texas and Louisiana Florida, Georgia
before Hurricane and S. Carolina
Ave
Rita. This is the before Hurricane
2nd
third largest Matthew. This is
peacetime the second largest
evacuation in evacuation in U.S.
r
m ft
history. history.
e
Riv
N
60
0
15
30
15
60
45
st
0
00
00
00
00
00
Ea
96th
Stre
et
Evacuation Procedures Become an Evacuation Center
During an emergency situation take the following precautions: Your place of work or community hub can become an evacuation center if it
meets the following criteria:
Decide where your family will reunite after a disaster.
Pick a place outside your home and a backup library/ 15 to 20 square feet per person
community center
Availability any time of year
Pre-pack a bag with essential items and have it easily
accessible, known as a “Go Bag” (more at http://www1.nyc.gov/) Fire extinguishers, functional fire alarms (with
sprinklers preferable)
Identify all exit routes from your home and neighborhood.
Emergency generator (facilities without generator can
Plan for everybody’s needs, especially seniors, people with also be listed as evacuation centers)
disabilities, children, non-English speakers, and pets.
Heating and/or cooling system
Close and lock windows, doors, and unplug appliances.
Listen for instructions to shut off utilities. Food preparation, Cooking capacities, and Eating areas
Do NOT use an elevator during a fire or emergency
Telephone line
Go to the nearest safe place or shelter
Accessibility for people with disabilities
If you are directed to evacuate stay with people outside
of New York City. Accessible restrooms
For evacuees with no alternative shelter, schools, Showers (one shower for every 40 residents)
municipal buildings, and places of worship will serve as
evacuation centers. Bring your Go Bag. Toilets (one restroom for 40 people)
Sink (one sink for every two toilets)
To shelter in place: Water
Get your Go Bag Coats and blankets
Go to a room with few doors or windows
Lock doors, close windows, and air vents More at: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/flood/
Turn off fans, air conditioning or heating
Seal all windows, doors, vents with plastic sheeting/
duct tape
Keep in communication via radio or phone
Community Emergency Preparedness Systems Communications

An emergency communication
system enables one-way and two-
Emergency Shelters way communication of messages
Moveable installations that when normal communications
can support emergency systems, including telephone and
preparedness trainings, internet, are not functional. Storms,
education about climate change, earthquakes, weapons attacks,
and key services, including and other events can physically
reliable communications and damage infrastructure that makes
access to energy. Equipment communicating impossible, or they
includes two-way radios, can cause high call volume, which
solar power and battery can also take down a comms
storage, rain water collection, system. The equipment pictured
miscellaneous storage here can maintain comms during
space, flotation devices, and those times, they include: two-way
other infrastructure that can radio, short-wave radio, and HAM
be utilized by community radio.
organizations, tenant
associations, and other local Electricity and Supplies
groups to help each other to
Solar panels and battery storage
safety. The installation can be
systems can provide electricity
replicated in other places to
for emergency communications,
support hyper-local action.
light, heat, and preservation of
medical supplies, among other
vital services, when the main
energy grid has gown down due
to an emergency. When there isn’t
an emergency this technology and
serve as a demonstration project
teaching about renewable energy.
Programming
Provide space and resources for
programming including education,
entertainment, research, and
other activities that bring people
together to discuss climate change
and preparedness. Pictured
here the Gramsci Monument
installation in the Bronx.
Climate Refugees Protected Migration

Article 13 of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights asserts that:
Right of Return a citizen of a state in which that
The right of return is a principle drawn citizen is present has the liberty to
from the Universal Declaration of travel, reside in, and/or work in any
Human Rights and the International part of the state where one pleases
Covenant on Civil and Political within the limits of respect for the
Rights. It states that refugees liberty and rights of others, and that
wishing to return to their homes and a citizen also has the right to leave
live at peace with their neighbors any country, including his or her own,
should be permitted to do so at the and to return to his or her country
earliest practicable date, and that at any time. The right includes not
compensation should be paid for the only visiting places, but changing the
property of those choosing not to place where the individual resides
return. or works. Mitigating climate change
includes guaranteeing safe passage
and settlement for the millions of
Sanctuary City people who are and will be displaced
by changes in climate. Allocations
Sanctuary Cities can support the of land and transportation resources
housing of climate refugeesn by may be required once some coastal
providing housing and limiting areas become inhabitable. Source:
official cooperation with the national http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/
effort to enforce immigration law.
These cities provide immigrants Refugees Status
access to health and social services,
public schools, to drive legally, and Climate change refugees are
carry out other societal functions people who are forced to leave their
without fear of detainment or home region due to sudden an/
deportation. Other policies include or gradual long-term changes to
include prohibiting police or city their environment. Such changes
employees from questioning people could include increased droughts,
about their immigration status desertification, sea level rise, or
and refusing requests by federal other changes to weather. The term
immigration authorities to detain climate exiles has been used to refer
to those climate migrants who may
people in certain circumstances.
be in danger of becoming stateless.
Studies have shown that sanctuary
Storms in NY have and will displace
policies have no effect on crime or
many that will not be able to afford
that crime rates were even lower
other residences within the city limits
than non-sanctuary cities. Source:
or region. More at: https://www.rsc.
Washingtonpost.com
ox.ac.uk/
Case Study: Red Hook Initiative (RHI)
The Red Hook Initiative has flooding in the future.

been pioneering a combination
of community programming and The new energy infrastructure
physical infrastructure to prepare will also support a communty-
Red Hook, Brooklyn, for their next wifi program created by Red
emergency. Hook to ensure communications
in preparation for and during an
To-date they have launched “Local emergency. The wi-fi system is also
Leaders”, a bi-annual emergency paired with physical messaging
preparedness training series boards placed around the
conducted in English and Spanish community. The digital and physical
for NYCHA residents to become messaging boards allow community
leaders of the response and members to share resources,
recovery efforts of any emergency including skills that can help train
or disaster. Over 125 Local Leaders their neighbor in preparedness.
have participated in the program, The messaging board allows
including partners such as NYC communities to take agency over
agencies, EMTs, FDNY, and the services that are provided and
organizing groups. allow for rapid action during a crisis.
Another major project of RHI is the Other activities of RHI include

development of a microgrid for the Red mobilizing community power and
Hook Houses, which were severely local networks to distribute food
damaged after Superstorm Sandy. and financial support, staff the
The Federal Emergency Management NYC Recovery Center, connect
Agency (FEMA) has awarded a $438 unemployed residents to recovery
million contract for “new playground jobs, and provide social service
equipment, sidewalks, renovation case management.
of floor and flooring .. new boilers, More at: http://rhicenter.org/
additional flood protection as well as
building two new power plants.” The Top: Red Hook Initiative Offices. Middle: Website for the Red Hook
plan includes 12 new ‘utilities pods’ Hub where people can exchange messages in support of emergency
that will distribute green energy and preparedness and outreach activities. Bottom: Microgrid infrastructure
will be elevated in order to be avoided planned for Red Hook Houses.
Case Study: Cuban Community Response Systems
The Cuban response system has hurricanes and the Simpson-Safir

been recognized around the world as scale
one of the most successful systems at - Provide constant information of
predicting emergencies and providing threat and the measures that have to
immediate relief in their aftermath. be taken
- Give natural disaster control the
highest possible importance through
The response system has 4 stages:
the use of television, radio and
- Stage I: Civil Defense is placed community organizations
on an alert 72 hours before storm - Use national political leaders and
makes landfall and the media specialists to communicate with the
begins broadcasting warnings of the people and you put the very leaders
impending storm. of the government in the middle of
- Stage II: 48 hours before the storm, the hurricane, to be with the people
the National Civil Defense in each so that they should not be considered
zone begins to organize preparation forgotten
efforts, such as sending students - Practice the evacuation plans at
home from schools. Shelters times when there is no hurricane
season
are inspected and supplied, and
- Evacuate 24 hours prior to the
evacuations begin.
hurricane striking the mainland
- Stage III: Media continues - Evacuate according the specific
to provide coverage of the national, regional or local plan.
hurricane,and the DCN attempts to - Neighborhood physicians
maintain lines of communication. accompany evacuees so they will
- Stage IV: People return to their know their patients’ medical history
homes, after they have been certified and need
as sound by the DCN. Rescue - Points where the evacuees are
operations and tallies of damages taken are known beforehand and are
begin. set up with water, food, and cots.
- Electric and gas services are cut off
The system depends heavily on before the hurricane hits
coordination from a “conscientious
and prepared network of volunteers,
disaster responders, and public health
Cuba’s weather forecast service, its emergency preparedness notification
officials who all work together.” This
system, and its aid delivery system are among the best in the world in part
group, along with public agencies,
due to their ability to engage community leaders in the process.
work to:
- Educate the population about
64 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 3C: Heat \\\ 65
3C Heat
Buildings in urban areas absorb Green roofs and the use of
heat during the day and emit lighter-colored surfaces in
heat at night. This causes urban areas, which reflect more
temperatures in cities to be sunlight and absorb less heat
much higher than surrounding
areas and poses a serous public
heath risk.
The Upper Manhattan electrical

People at risk of the Urban distribution system (the grid) is
Heat Island (UHI) effect include the oldest in the nation, making Green infrastructure in areas
Historically there has been an
people without air conditioning it more susceptible to blackouts with a lot of pavement and other
underinvestment in trees and
in their home, people who and service disruptions than other impervious surfaces can help
green infrastructure based
spend long hours outdoors, the places. Solar energy can reduce prevent flooding while reducing
on race and class. These
elderly who may suffer from the likelihood of a blackout by
areas have more concrete temperatures. Temperatures
other health complications, and reducing the strain put on energy
and impervious surfaces, along the waterfront can be 10
other people with unsafe indoor infrastructure by hot weather,
which makes for hotter surface degrees cooler.
air environments and the lack and by connecting with storage
temperatures and ambient
of resources to improve their systems which can provide
areas.
conditions. energy if there is a blackout.
Urban Heat Islands
Extreme heat events are when it is Average Heat Index

100°F or higher for one or more days or Nearly 2/3rd of the sampled spaces registered higher heat index
95°F or higher for two or more days compared to ambient conditions (Source: Harlem Heat)
87.5
Heat Index
JULY 2016 was the 2016 had 21 days 85
hottest month on that reached over 82.5 83
record 90 degrees 80
00 Indoor 42 Outdoor
Annual Number of Heat waves are the
Days Over 95° F 2nd leading cause 800 New Yorkers
Based on projections by the World of death among visit the hospital 140 Died from heat
Climate Research Programme
weather related each year for excess in 2013
events heat-related illness
200%-800% Increase Harlem residents Over 50% of

in deaths during are twice as people in upper
42 likely to visit the Manhattan say
New York’s 2003
blackout emergency room they experienced
15 for heat stress dizziness, nausea,
2 compared to the and other impacts
‘91-’10 2060 2100 rest of New York. of overheating.
Residents in NYCHA housing pay $120
11533
NYC
per year for each air conditioner. households
with central
AC system
53%
During July of 2016 Over 1,000 megawatts NYC
residents of Central Harlem lost was the record heat households 20%
with individual
power. The temperature was 96 for a weekend set at 3 AC units
degrees. p.m. on July 23, 201 1
Temperature (Fahrenheit) Land Cover
70 Tree canopy
80 Grass/shrub
90 Bare soil
100 Buildings
110 Paved
Existing Cool Roofs
Hot zones
Cool zones
Temperatures on July 11, 2011
m ft m ft
N N
60
0
15
30
60
0
15
30
15
15
60
60
45
45
0
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
Urban Cooling Techniques Walls and Insulation

Modern materials exist that can cool
buildings by increasing ventilation,
Urban Design preventing air leaks and blocking
Designing streets so they align the interior of a building from
with wind patterns can improve extreme temperatures. An example
air circulation and reduce daytime is this new brick design posted at
temperatures. Open spaces and archdaily.com.
certain architectural features can
also improve circulation. This allows
maximum penetration of winds, Ventilation
which carry off heat and lower Proper ventilation is necessary for
ambient air temperatures. healthy indoor air quality and energy
conservation. Window openings
White Roof that are large and oriented to the
direction of the wind capture the
Coating a roof with white reflects most air. Air ducts should be sealed
sun back into the atmosphere. This to prevent leaks, and HVAC system
reduces building temperatures and cleaned regularly so bacteria isn’t
energy use. This type of albedo spread throughout the building.
modification can make a white roof up
to 10°C cooler than an asphalt roof, Street Trees/Plantings
and reduces ambient air temperatures
by at least 1°C. Trees and vegetation lower surface and air temperatures by providing
shade and evapotranspiration. Shaded surfaces can be 20–45°F (11–
25°C) cooler than the peak temperatures of unshaded areas. Green
Green Roof surfaces can reduce peak summer temperatures by 2–9°F (1–5°C). Trees
and vegetation should be planted in strategically according to which
A green roof or living roof is
partially or completely covered with communities are most at risk, including working class neighborhoods,
vegetation and a growing medium areas prone to blackouts and flooding, and places where homes may have
that is planted over a waterproofing high energy bills and/or a lack of air conditioning. Image: Columbus, Ohio.
membrane. It may also include
additional layers such as a root
barrier and drainage and irrigation
systems. Green roofs combat the
urban heat island by cooling the
atmosphere and reducing the heat
transmitted into the building. Around
a green roof the heat evaporates
the water in the roots of the plants
which emits cool air. Using infrared
technology the image below shows
over a 15°C heat difference
between a standard asphalt roof
and a green roof.
Case Study: Singapore Urban Greening
The dense city-state of Singapore pervasive greenery;

has become a leader in responding * Space for healthy activities
to the urban heat island effect. * URA survey reported that
The city’s 5 million people are 43% of respondents took part
crowded into only 269 square regularly in jogging/strolling/
miles, but the city still manages a brisk walking and these are
high percentage of tree cover and likely to be undertaken in
integration of plants into the built parks and green spaces;
environment. * Two thirds of the city – rooftops,
parks, medians, sidewalks,
Beginning in the 1950s the city roadways – capture rainwater
launched an ambitious program and convey it or pump it via
to create a “City in a Garden” by microprocessor controlled
covering half the city in green. channels or tunnels to 18
Projects were undertaken to: reservoirs
* Create a haven for aquatic * Eventually, the city has plans
and terrestrial wildlife such to turn ninety percent of its
as otters, pythons, monitor surface area into rainfall
lizards, pangolins and catchment.
hornbills; * Buildings in the city focus on
* Gardens with 100 different cross-ventilation, creating a
species of birds and passive climate-controlled
500,000 plant species and environment. Continuous,
supertrees open corridors allow air to
* Adding greening to important cool homes and provide
community facilities such as plenty of natural sunlight for
hospitals. residents. This architecture
* Five coastal parks; some have “is a genuine precursor to the
artificial beaches, but one zero-energy mass housing
features 6 ha of preserved that will be essential for the
Top: Hospitals in Singapore include interior green space to promote
mangrove forest. continued growth of Asia’s
physical health and mental well-being for patients, visitors and staff
* Physical distribution of cities.”
(Pictured Khoo Teck Puat Hospital). Bottom: Green corridors and natural
vegetation in the urban fabric areas built into the urban fabric.
to create a perception of
74 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 3D: Food and Waste \\\ 75
3D Food and Waste

Food sovereignty means that Flood protection infrastructure Industrial facilities and business incubators
can protect food and waste can support a local food economy while
people have the ability to define
resources including urban reducing the carbon footprint of the food
and control the type of food
farms, shipping ports, markets, consumed in NYC.
available to them, and ensure
it’s culturally appropriate and and waste management
facilities, among others.
grown through sound ecological
and sustainable means. This is
especially important in areas,
where access to fresh, affordable,
nutritious food can be limited.
Access to good food, while not
an end-all solution, is vital to
improving community health,
especially in neighborhoods
afflicted by high morbidity, which is
often linked to obesity and issues
such as diabetes, liver and heart
disease.
In terms of waste, more than 80%

of the City’s trash was trucked,
stored, and then bundled for
interstate transport in just four
out of 59 community districts. The
South Bronx, where just 6.5% of
the city’s population resides, was
home to 15 waste transfer stations New docking infrastructure
would allow farmers from
and handled over 31% of the city’s
Upstate NYC to bring their
solid waste. Not coincidentally, produce to New York City via
the South Bronx had one of the the Hudson River.This would cut Local markets on the waterfront
highest asthma rates in the world. down on truck traffic and the use can support sustainable
of fossil fuels, along with making transportation and help program
our neighborhoods safer and public spaces for public benefit.
cleaner.
Agricultural Impacts Food and Waste Systems
ay
dw
oa
Br
The U.S. food system contributes nearly 20% of Community Gardens
the nation’s CO2 emissions; On a global scale, Food Coops and CSAs
Dy
ck
m
land use contributes 12% of CO2 emissions.
an
Supermarkets/Wholesale
St
r
Rive
Farmers Markets
6m hectares (14.8m acres) of new farmland will
son
Vacant Lots
Hud
be needed around the globe every year to keep
up with new demand. As of now, 12m hectares a Community Districts
year are lost through soil degradation. NYCHA Developments 179
th S
t
NYC Parks
Manure accounts for about 14% of total
greenhouse gas emissions from the US Storm Inundation Zones
Agriculture sector. Smaller sources of Flood Hazard Lines
y
emissions include rice cultivation, which
dwa
Combined Sewer Overflow
produces CH4, and burning crop residues,
Broa
which produce CH4 and N2O. Key Transportation Routes
New York State has:

* 7.2 million acres of farmland, almost
River
one-quarter of the State’s total land area
Harlem
* 59% of farmland is dedicated to crops, 22%
is woodland, 10% is pastureland, and 9% is
for conservation and other uses
* more than 205,000 acres of certified
organic farmland
iver
y
R
dwa
* The average size of a farm in NY is 202 acres
son
Broa
* More than half of New York’s farms are
Hud
smaller than 100 acres
Ave
* $5.4 billion in agricultural commodity
2nd
sales in NY during 2012
* the total estimated agricultural impact in
the state was $37.6 billion in 2011
* As of 2012 NY had more than 35,500 Farms
er
Riv
st
Ea
96th
Stre
et
Case Study: Brook Park Garden
The South Bronx is among the a court order as an alternative to

most impoverished and polluted incarceration’. This system allows
districts in the country. Almost frontline communities, those that
30% of the Bronx’s 1.4 million are most affected by poverty,
residents live at or below the poor food options, and lack of
poverty line. The borough has over green space, to take the lead in
9% unemployment, compared reversing their conditions. The
with 6% for the city as whole. The experience of gardening gives
Bronx is also considered the least those in need access to green
healthy of NY State’s 62 counties. space, education in running a
26% of adults in The Bronx are business, and of course healthy
in poor or fair shape, compared food. This way local resources
to 16% statewide. Many of these are used to better the community
problems are exacerbated in the instead of being owned and sold
South Bronx. for profit by speculators that are
not from The Bronx and who
In order to combat these deep would not reinvest back into it
rooted issues, local activists were they to profit from its local
have been building community produce.
gardens. At Brook Park, the
Friends of Brook Park, led by Ray The procedure of creating the
Figueroa, organization’s program garden included identifying
director, have found a way to abandoned land, determining its
grow local produce that can help public or private ownership, and
local health and provide economic making a license agreement with
opportunity. The garden produces the property owner to use the
hot peppers that are sold to a local land for the purposes of a garden.
company which produces the This cycle repeated could give
Bronx Greenmarket Hot Sauce. community members access to
By doing so Figueora claims they vacant land and amplify the model Images of Brook Park, staff, and The
are creating a new economic of Brook Park. Bronx Hot Sauce that it produces
model for urban agriculture. The (Images from http://NYtimes.com)
money they generate goes into Website: http://www. Bottom: Hunts Point Food Distribution
stipends for people that work at friendsofbrookpark.org/ Center in the South Bronx
the farms.
Furthermore, most of the

gardeners are teenagers with
criminal records who have been
‘sent to work in the garden through
Case Study: Corbin Hill Food Project
Corbin Hill Food Project is a food been able to get fresh produce to
hub that connects the fresh produce families of Headstart kids – kids
from local and regional farmers to whose parents may not always
food deserts in Harlem, Washington be able to afford such things,
Heights and the Bronx. Corbin Hill especially when sold at standard
seeks to utilize their own land and grocery prices. Through other
other agricultural resources in New partnerships, they are also able to
York State to produce affordable, offer boxes for seniors are priced
nutritious food. Their coop also at $8 and family-specific boxes,
reduces the distance food travels range from $14 to $20.
from farm to plate, which cuts down
the pollution produced by our food Food coops usually have the
system. following benefits:
* Open membership
Corbin Hill “collects and delivers * Member Ownership - Each
fresh farm food, simultaneously member has an ownership
accomplishing two missions: linking stake
local farmers to new customers * Member Control. A co-op share
and providing food for people comes with the right to vote
who resident in places with limited for the organization’s leaders,
access to fresh farm food and who board members, and strategic
have low incomes.” Corbin Hill initiatives
allows individual or group orders, * Commitment to Education,
and even wholesale orders in Enrichment, and Community
bulk. Variety of vegetables and Development
fruits are offered, as well as fresh * Focus on Local, High-Quality
USDA organic turkey meat. To- Food and Products
date, Corbin Hill has developed a * Supporting Local, Small-Scale
network of 30 family-owned New Agriculture
York farms and deliver food to more
than 47,000 individuals in Upper More at: http://corbinhill-foodproject.
Manhattan. They have partnered org/
with community organizations to
create tailored boxes, which sell at a Top: Members of Corbin Hill working at the cooperatively held farm in
price much lower than the standard Upstate New York. Bottom: coop members pick up their farmshares
price. For example, by working with at a distribution point in Harlem, New York.
Harlem Children’s Zone, they have
Case Study: BK ROT
BK ROT is a composting service the NYC Department of Sanitation

that handles pick up, processing, rolls out its residential organics
and distribution of locally produced collection program, BK ROT plans
compost in Brooklyn. It is the to transition from serving residents
largest bike-powered composting to focusing on small businesses.
service in NYC.The model that BK Currently BK ROT collects and
ROT uses centers local youth of processes organic waste from 8
color, building economic strength, local businesses.
stopping environmental racism and
gentrification, and creating a green Since their inception in August
community space for organics 2013, the team has processed
recycling. over 54,269.5 lbs of local organic
waste; 19 tons in 2016; generated
BK ROT youth workers engage in a over $40,000 in youth stipends;
positive, skills-based environmental created 8 part-time positions;
job training and leadership and serves over 90 households.
development program during their They are on track to process over
employment. The Institute for Local 100,000 lbs this year and have a
Self-Reliance calculates that a goal of doubling that by 2019. BK
composting facility creates 21.4 ROT demonstrates the potential of
jobs for every $10 million invested community composting to distribute
in it, while a landfill only creates 8.4 the value of waste locally and to
jobs for the same investment. employ people equitably.
BK ROT workers collect organic More at: www.bkrot.org

waste from residents and small
businesses by bike, and process BK ROT composting operations are cleaning up pollution in Brooklyn while
the material at their 2500 square building an industry for local youth. Photos by Murray Cox.
foot compost site, Know Waste
Lands; a vacant lot which BK
ROT helped secure and turn into
a restorative wild garden and
composting site. As of this date 95
residential households were being
served, each of whom is paying
$15/month to have bikers pick up
their compost and process it. As
84 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 3E: Social Hubs \\\ 85
3E Social Hubs
ocial Hubs (or social centers) are
S Community institutions like
community spaces that are used for credit unions or universities can
a range of community organizing, use social hubs as places to
educational, and cultural activities do outreach and run auxillary
that are intended to facilitate action programming
on important local issues.
These places support programs

ranging from hosting community
meetings, providing facilities for
meetings of tenant organizations,
housing a library, showing film
screenings, providing public health
programming like yoga and self-
defense, provide incubator space
for community organizations, and
access to technology and tools for
art-making, among other things. The
goal is to have a flexible space that
can be programed and managed
by the community and therefore
caters to
local needs.
Such spaces can bring diverse

groups of together and reverberate
larger movements for climate justice.
Social hubs can be created in vacant Social hubs can become a
buildings such as brownstones or sanctuary for community Social hubs can exist in
even the abandoned 135th Street members in which they can build brownstones or larger buildings
Marine Waste Transfer Station (on social cohesion, receive access that have space to support
page 112). They can also be built to key services, learn new skills, diverse programming. They can
in unused city property or as part and otherwise engage in informal also be included within new
of new developments happening community building. developments as concessions
in areas the city has targeted for from developers that are seeking
rezonings. tax breaks from the city.
Case Study: Mayday Space
Mayday Community Space is a On any given week programming

social hub located in Bushwick, at Mayday can include film
Brooklyn. Mayday provides screenings, poetry readings,
“space for people of color, tutorials on the production of
immigrants, women-led groups, materials for activism, panel
LGBTQ, poor and working class discussions, and other planning
communities, and their allies activities in support of local
to organize for social justice, campaigns for social justice.
reflect on movement-building Advantages of being member
campaigns and strategies, share driven including support from
ideas, and cultivate solidarity membership in programming and
among people fighting for a more maintenance of the space, along
equitable city.” The social hub with ensuring that programs are
intends to foster collaboration culturally appropriate and address
among those most affected by local issues.
oppression, which they believe
is “instrumental to connecting More recently Mayday has opened
organizing around climate change a restaurant near the social hub
to other intersecting challenges that will generate revenue to
and oppressions.” By being support staff and programming.
inviting to individuals, formal and The business enterprise allows
non formal groups, these centers Mayday to secure a steady stream
provide a platform for connecting of income that is independent
with other people and eliminating from competitive grants. It also
prejudice and stereotypes within provides another outlet for doing
our communities. outreach and programming.
Mayday itself is housed in a More at: https://maydayspace.org/

former school building owned by
a local church. The church has
partnered with Mayday to equip
and program the former school
facilities as a social hub. As
such Mayday Space has access
to class rooms, performance
venues, cooking and eating
spaces, storage facilities, and
other infrastructure to support a Images of Mayday Space including art making activities and community
wide range of meetings. planning workshops.
Case Study: Immigrant Movement International
Immigrant Movement through and with a holistic

International (IMI) is a approach to education open to
community space and think tank all regardless of legal status.
that “recognizes (im)migrants’
role in the advancement of Programming also works to
society at large and envisions a link isolated Latin American
different legal reality for human populations with local Asian
migration; increase the visibility cultures. It does this with art,
of immigrants; raise public such as theater workshops that
awareness of issues pertinent function as safe places to work
to immigrants through different out stress, reimagine reality and
zones of contact.” rehearse political interventions.
The space was developed by The IMI manifesto states their

Cuban artist Tania Brugera, in main goals are free movement,
partnership with the Queens right to be included, the right
Museum, as a method of to be an explorer. They believe
engaging/supporting local that means movement and the
immigrant populations in functionality of international
Corona, Queens. The space, borders should be re-imagined
a former beauty supply store, in the service of humanity. The
has classroom and storage driving motto of the organization
facilities, and is strategically is that “the right to be included
located near key public belongs to everyone”.
spaces, transportation, and the
Queens Museum. IMI offers More at: http:// immigrant-
comprehensive educational movement.us/wordpress
programming including English
classes, computer instruction,
legal help and impromptu
performances, health, and legal
services. These programs are
offered at no cost in order to
empower immigrants personally
and politically; community space
Images of the IMI workshop space at Roosevelt Avenue and 133rd St in
where practical knowledge is
Corona, Queens.
merged with creative knowledge
90 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 3F: Green Infrastructure \\\ 91
3F Green Infrastructure Green buildings can have green The NYC Department of
rooftops and water storage Environmental Protection has
Green infrastructure can be defined as a network of human-managed capacity systems that reduce committed over $208 million to its
and natural ecosystems that together enhance ecosystem health and indoor temperatures and Green Infrastructure Program.
resilience, contribute to biodiversity, and benefit human population by conserve water.
improving air quality, conserving water resources, creating public spaces,
among providing other benefits.
Building flood protection

infrastructure such as coastal
barriers, rain gardens, and
bioswales, can ensure that
private and public spaces are
Manhattanville public housing
protected.
in West Harlem has only 889 Parks and open spaces are
trees, which makes it the second desperately needed in East
poorest neighborhood in terms of Harlem to cool temperatures and
trees in Manhattan handle flood waters
Geology of Manhatta
Pinehurst Avenue and West

183rd Street in Bennett Park, is
the highest natural elevation in
Manhattan at 265 ft
Cameron’s Line St. Nicholas

Thrust
Running along 125th Street, through
layers of schist, lies Manhattan's
fault line. In 2001, it experienced a
magnitude-2.4 tremor.
Schist is a medium-grade
metamorphic rock with medium to
large, flat, sheet-like grains. It has a
consistency that presents challenges
for water absorption and green
infrastructure.
Images of Manhattan before it was developed

by European settlers. It was then known by
indigenous peoples as Mannahatta, which
means the land of many hills. In the images
it is apparent that areas like East Harlem
(above), Inwood (top), and West Harlem, are
at low elevations and contain sensitive coastal
environments. More at https://welikia.org.
Green Infrastructure Types Community Garden

A community garden is any piece
of land gardened by a group of
Green Roof people, utilizing either individual
Green roofs can intercept between or shared plots on private or public
15% and 90% of rooftop runoff. land. Gardens play a critical role
Absorption will vary based on the in stormwater management both
type of growing medium and plant in absorbing water and in bringing
cover variability. Targeted green people together to deal with the
roofs can make sure high-risk areas aftermath of a major climate event.
are protected.
Coastal Buffers
Rain Garden
Measures aimed at protecting the
A rain garden is a planted depression coast against coastline retreat, floods,
or a hole that allows rainwater runoff loss of biodiversity, and more. Buffers
from impervious urban areas, like are a natural method, as opposed to
roofs, driveways, walkways, parking building hard infrastructure, the coast
lots, and compacted lawn areas, and the hinterland from erosion.
the opportunity to be absorbed. The Buffers can include landscaped areas
schist depicted on page 82 makes it and natural wetlands, to name a few.
difficult for rain gardens to effectively
drain water in some areas.
Daylighting
Permeable Materials Deliberately exposing some or all
of the flow of a previously covered
Permeable materials describes
river, creek, or storm water drainage
a range of pavements and other
that were buried in culverts or pipes,
building techniques that allow
covered by decks, or otherwise
the movement of stormwater
removed from view. Daylighting
through the surface of a material
re-establishes a waterway in its
into natural filtration. In addition
old channel where feasible, or in a
to reducing runoff, they can
new channel threaded between the
trap suspended solids and
buildings, streets, parking lots, or
filters pollutants from the water.
other hard surfaces. Some daylighting
Permeable paving can infiltrate
projects recreate wetlands, ponds, or
as much as 70% to 80% of annual
estuaries. All require the removal of
rainfall. Construction costs may
concrete, or de-paving. Pictured here
be 50% more than conventional
is the Cheonggyecheon River in
asphalt and concrete. Permeable
Seoul, South Korea, which was once
pavements may give urban trees
covered by a freeway, and the Saw
the rooting space they need to
Mill Creek in Yonkers, New York.
grow to full size.
Case Study: Water Square, Rotterdam
Rotterdam, Netherlands is one the square, just in front of the main

of the wettest cities in Europe. entrance of the church, there is a
The city has taken an innovative smaller pool, trapezoidal in shape,
approach at The Benthemplein and also with tiered seating, as
Water Square, “the first ‘water well as a central island which can
square’ in the world” be used as a stage for dancing.
When the third pool is dry, it is
This public space is composed used by people who practice their
of three basins. During dry days skills on bicycles, skateboards,
they serve as a basketball court, rollerblades, and other wheels.
skate park, and performance arts
podium. On the rainy days, via All the water-bearing elements
stainless steel gutters, the square have a shiny metallic surface,
(basins) absorbs the rain water while the ponds are finished
from the atmosphere as well as in different tones of blue. The
the rain water from roofs from pre-existing trees remain in
the nearby buildings. In this way, their former places but are now
the rain water during heavy rains surrounded by garden plots
is retained which mollifies city’s with tall grasses, flowers and
sewage system during peak rainy continuous concrete benches.
days. The storage capacity is
449,000 gallons. After the rains, In New York, the city has an
the absorbed water in the square ambitious plan to build a park
is poured out in underground within a ten minute walk for
infiltration, but is also used for every resident. This means that
watering nearby trees. many new public spaces will
be built in places like East and
The largest and deepest pool Central Harlem. These spaces
occupies the center of the square each present an opportunity to
and is only filled when there is build green infrastructure that
Top: A basin that doubles as a gaming court in Water Square.
a lot of heavy rain, which turns cools temperatures and retains
Middle: The gaming court holding water after a heavy rain.
a “water wall” on one of its four stormwater. Bottom: Section diagram showing the multiple water drainage and
sides into a spectacular, abundant storage facilities that are integrated into the park as useable space or
cascade. On the northern side of More at: http://urbanisten.nl/ aesthetic features.
Case Study: Swale NYC
New York City may have a limited Swale has been designed and
amount of space on land for food tested in partnership with nautical
production but the waters around engineers, landscape architects,
the city are not limited in such a gardeners, artists, educators,
way. One project that is utilizing students, and the US Coast Guard.
water to create “food forests” is the After a one year planning and
Swale project. building period, Swale is functioning
as a floating island and is open to
Swale has created a floating food the public. The project seeks to end
forest on a floating barge that can the city’s dependence on large-
be stationed or move anywhere scale food supply chains with little
around NYC’s coastline. This accountability, to one that strives
installation presents a model to for community interdependence.
exponentially increase the amount
of food we produce and to do so in Utilizing the waterfront with floating
a way that is resilient the impacts architecture can create new
of climate change. Barges can also sources of production, whether
provide some measure of coastal for food, housing, manufacturing,
protection from flooding and storm or something else. Swale is a
surges. model of how we can add to the
city’s capacity without adding
According to Swale, these “Food existing strain to our systems of
forests are a way to diversify plant transportation, energy, or waste.
life through supportive planting;
each plant building, supporting, More at: http://swaleny.org/
and sustaining the next, each plant
an important part of its created
ecosystem. Food forests build soil
fertility by intercropping, this locks
carbon into the soil. Fertilizers
aren’t necessary, which also
The Swale floating “food forest” docked at Brooklyn Bridge Park.
reduces the need for fossil fuels.
100 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 3G: Governance \\\ 101
he climate change era requires

T ther cities have used a process
O
3G Governance decision-making authority by local of neighborhood assemblies
communities to guide capital and for more inclusive governance.
other investments. This power can They provide a venue for open
enant associations, coop boards, and similar
T
help community reinvestment and discussion with a process for
networks can play a big role in resilience in terms
smart planning decisions. decision-making that is collectively
of organizing for energy democracy, emergency
determined and values local
preparedness, green infrastructure, and other
knowledge.
resilience measures. They possess the information
and ability to bring everyone together and move
resources towards local resiliency projects.
The urban commons framework

raises the question of how best
to produce and consume shared
resources like energy, land, and
water. Collaborative governance ocial hubs provide meeting
S
strategies ensure that resource space, educational programs,
allocation is not only based on access to tools for direct action,
who has power but that resources and other resources for advocacy
are made available to everyone. campaigns.
NY State Assembly Districts NY City Council Districts
72 - Carmen De La Rosa 10 - Ydanis Rodriguez

2016 - 2018 2014 - 2018
71 - Herman D. Farrell 9 - Bill perkins
2016 - 2018 72 2017 - 2018
70 - Inez Dickens 8 - Melissa Mark-Viverito
2016 - 2018 2014 - 2018 (Speaker)
68 - Robert J. Rodriguez 7 - Mark Levine
2016 - 2018 2014 - 2018
10
Mayor, Bill de Blasio
2014 - 2018
71 Comptroller, Scott Stringer
2014 - 2018
Advocate, Letitia James
2014 - 2018
70 9
8
7
68
NY State Senate Districts Congressional District
31 - Marisol Alcantara 31 13 - Rep. Adriano Espaillat

2017 - 2019 2017 - 2019
30 - Bill Perkins Senator Charles Schumer
2017 - 2019 2017 - 2023
29 - Jose M. Serrano Senator Kirstin Gillibrand
2017 - 2019 2015 - 2021
13
Registered voters as of 2016:
Total: 357,113
Democrat: 282,108
Republican: 17,978
Other: 57,027
29
30
Participatory Budgeting
he NY City Council website

T total budget for fiscal year 2014. total of 65 million Euros (roughly preparedness projects including
describes participatory budgeting The total City budget for that year 70 million U.S. Dollars) this year. the EPIK kiosk (see section 3B),
(PB) as “a democratic process was $70,000,000,000. Between 2014 and 2020 the city emergency communications
in which community members will have allocated a total of 500 equipment for at risk buildings,
directly decide how to spend part The amount of money spent in million Euros to projects chosen and distributed energy generation
of a public budget.” the PB process falls far short of by the public. The city also uses equipment for affordable housing
the resources we need to invest an online vote with physical and important community spaces.
Between September and April in climate related infrastructure ballot boxes for traditional voting.
of a fiscal year, city councilors and services, but PB is significant During the last online vote the Other countries are applying the
representing 25 districts work because it represents model for city received over 41,000 votes – ethos of democratic participation
with their residents to spend $1 becoming climate resilient in 60% of which came through the to other forms of government.
million of their district budget a democratic fashion. Climate Internet. The votes selected 9 of Iceland’s Pirate Party, the
– for a total of approximately resilience planning is perfect for 15 projects put forward for a vote. country’s prominent ruling party,
$25 million. In Upper Manhattan PB because of the local knowledge have led an initiative to crowd
the only district that does not it requires and because of the The PB process in NYC includes source the country’s constitution.
offer PB is 10, although that is co-benefits of climate change the following steps: The process features extensive
subject to change with upcoming projects. 1. Neighborhood Assemblies: in-person engagement with
elections. The amount dedicated September - October randomly selected citizens and
to participatory budgeting only The City of Paris allocates the 2. Delegate Orientations: even more extensive engagement
represents .00035% of the city’s most money for the PB process, a November online with thousands of
3. Delegate Meetings: Icelanders using online tools
November - February like Facebook and Twitter. The
4. Project Expos: February- final draft proposed reforms to
March the constitution that emphasized
5. Community Vote: March-April human rights, transparency,
6. Implementation & Monitoring: and environmental protection,
April and onwards among others. In Spain and other
countries where there is political
The UMP calls for PB to be used upheaval these methods are also
for projects generated during being applied to empower citizen
community planning processes. within their democracy.
UMP working group members
are specifically advocating for
Participatory budgeting project fair in NYC, 2015.
PB to be used for emergency
Human Rights Surveillance and

Prosecution
Copwatch Across the world activists are
being surveilled and prosecuted
A network of people that observe
for advocating to protect the
and document police activity while
environment. In 2016, Honduran
looking for signs of misconduct and
activist Berta Cáceres was killed
police brutality. The goal is ensure
in her homeland of Honduras for
accountability and reform in events
organizing against environmentally
where police committ harrasment,
destructive policies, including dam
unlawful arrest, bodily harm, or
and mining projects. Cáceres
other abuses of power. Copwatch
organized a road blockade to
member Ramsey Orta sparked a
prevent access to the dam sites.
national debate on police brutality
For over a year, the blockade
by filming the arrest and subsequent
withstood eviction attempts and
homicide of NYer Eric Garner. More
violent attacks.
at: justicecommittee.org
In the United States during the
Encryption protests to stop the Dakota Access
Encryption enables the right to privacy Pipeline’s construction, the
by protecting communications from Federal Aviation Administration
spying. It can help people share their imposed a rare “temporary flight
opinion with others without reprisals, restriction,” covering nearly 154
access information on the web and square miles of airspace above
organize with others against injustice. the pipeline resistance to stop
This protection also enables the rights drone documentation by activists.
to freedom of expression, information
and opinion, and also has an impact Workers within government
on the rights to freedom of peaceful are also facing challenges
assembly, association and other from implementing policy on
human rights. Source: www.eff.org
climate change. Staff at the US
Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Direct Action have been told to avoid using
the term climate change in their
No social justice movement in history
has been successful without the use of work, with the officials instructed
direct action. Many of the most successful to reference “weather extremes”
actions against environmental polluters instead. In Florida employees,
have been forms of direct action, most contractors and volunteers,
recently in NY against companies have been instructed not to
seeking approval for fracking. In terms of use the terms “climate change”
competing harms, it is our responsibility
and “global warming” in official
to take action to prevent severe climate
change. More at: ruckus.org communications.
Case Study: Spain’s Municipal Movement
eginning in 2014, a political

B with contributions made in open
movement known as Municipalism assemblies and online, and the
overtook Spain’s largest cities, strategic and political decisions
including Barcelona and Madrid. of the platform are made by the
The movement is a reaction ‘plenary’ assembly, held twice
to decades of autocracy in the a month. The platform includes
country that have contributed to stopping the privatization of health
the country’s housing crisis and services, tackling high utility bills,
its high levels of inequality. The controlling mass tourism, creating
Municipal Movement is based on a renewable energy system, and
reforming government so it aligns improving municipal democracy,
with the needs of working class with a portion of the city budget
Spaniards and not the country’s allocation decided directly by
elite. They do this by changing citizens. Preventing evictions is at
policy to favor transparency, public the top of both Barcelona en Comú
participation, and by shifting public and the new governing party in
resources away from supporting Madrid’s, Ahora Madrid, electoral
commercial industries and lists. The Mayor of Barcelona,
towards preserving communities Ada Colau, is a founder of the
at risk of displacement. Mortgage Victims’ Platform (or
PAH), one of Spain’s strongest
In Barcelona, the new governing social movements, created in the
party, Barcelona en Comú, has wake of the economic crisis to
crowdsourced its code of political resist a wave of housing evictions.
ethics and presented a platform
titled ‘Governing by Obeying’. Its
Top: M15 protest
aim is to ensure the party “changes
held in Sol Plaza
the rules of the game”, rather
in Madrid. Middle:
than just perpetuating ineffective
Tenants demanding
government. The code includes
housing reforms at
salary and term limits, as well as
a protest organized
transparency commitments and
by PAH. Bottom:
measures to put an end to the
Campaign materials
revolving door between public
from Barcelona en
office and industry. The Barcelona
Comu.
en Comú electoral program was
drawn up by over 5000 people,
Case Study: Cooperation Jackson
Cooperation Jackson is building a - an institutional vehicle to promote

cooperative network in Jackson, broad public understanding
Mississippi that will consist of four of economic democracy, the
interconnected and interdependent foundations of solidarity economics
institutions: an emerging federation and the principles of cooperatives
of local worker cooperatives, a and how cooperative and worker
developing cooperative incubator, a owned and self-managed enterprises
cooperative education and training work to benefit workers, their families
center (the Lumumba Center and their communities.
for Economic Democracy and - A institutional vehicle to educate
Development), and a cooperative and train working people in Jackson,
bank or financial institution. Mississippi to successfully start,
Cooperation Jackson’s basic finance, own, democratically operate
theory of change is centered on and self-manage a sustainable
the position that organizing and cooperative enterprise.
empowering the structurally under - A model that will encourage and
and unemployed sectors of the enable workers in other cities and
working class, particularly from municipalities in Mississippi, the
Black and Latino communities, to South and throughout the United
build worker organized and owned States to implement their own
cooperatives will be a catalyst for initiatives to promote economic
the democratization of our economy democracy, solidarity economics and
and society overall. Cooperation cooperative development.
Jackson believes they can replace - Coop Jackson is now developing
the current socio-economic system 3 cooperatives including Freedom
of exploitation, exclusion and the Farms, an urban farming cooperative; Top: Balagoon Center in Jackson, Mississippi
destruction of the environment with Nubia’s Place Café and Catering
Middle: Chokwe Lumumba and members of Cooperation Jackson/CJA
a proven democratic alternative. Cooperative; and, Mississippi
Bottom: Logo of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund
An alternative built on equity, Waste Alternative, a recycling and
cooperation, worker democracy, composting cooperative.
and environmental sustainability to
provide meaningful living wage jobs, Source: cooperationjackson.org
reduce racial inequities, and build
community wealth.
Their goals are articulated in the

Jackson-Kush Plan, which include
the following:
114 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 3H: Housing \\\ 115
Community financial institutions Private real estate developers and

3H Housing can fund housing developments their partner financial institutions
that will meet the community’s will seek to capitalize on climate
standards of affordability, not the change by charging more
Affordable housing in flood Housing on elevated land is
measure of affordability set by the properties that have resilience
prone areas need infrastructure currently undervalued and will
federal government. measures in place.
improvements and better become more valuable as flooding
enforcement of housing code becomes more frequent
regulations in order to preserve
affordability and prevent
displacement
Connecting tenants and

Housing that is connected to Green Infrastructure is key to
housing organizations with
waterfront transportation can protecting at risk housing. New
local educational programs
reduce CO2 emissions from fossil Social hubs can provide temporary natural buffers, flood walls, and
and incubator spaces can help
fuels, ease traffic congestion, and shelter, access to information about other measures can stop flooding,
residents develop a local economy
provide a quick evacuation route housing resources, and networks cool temperatures, absorb
that provide sufficient revenue to
during a disaster that can organize to stop unfair stormwater, and support natural
deal with housing costs.
housing policies and practices ecosystems.
Housing Quality % Of Rent Stabilized Apartments
Low Housing Quality 0 - 22.6

(percent of renter-occupied homes with at least one maintenance defect)
22.6 - 53.6
53.6 - 76.2
74% 71% 74% 76% 75%
59% 57% 76.2 - 92
NYC Manhattan Upper Morningside Central East Washington 92 - 100
Manhattan Heights Harlem Harlem Heights
Community Districts
housing code violations NYC Parks
(per 1,000 privately owned rental units) NYCHA Developments
Proposed Rezonings
NYC 48.3
Manhattan 41.4
Upper 91.8
Manhattan
0 25 50 75 100
East Harlem could lose 200 - 500

affordable housing units each year
In a recent survey 1/3rd of the housing

over 38% of added in nyc
from 2000 - 2010
Manhattanites
were added in 15
said the city was gentrifying areas
too expensive for with only 26% of the
them to live here. city’s population
There are 1,200 HDFC buildings with over

30,000 units in the city.
New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)
NYCHA has 330 developments and

$18 billion deficit for capital projects NYCHA IS
WORKING
Upper Manhattan has: THROUGH A
- 54 NYchA complexes BACKLOG
- 336 buildings OF 330,000
- 30,000 apts / 65,000 residents repair
- 12,460,592 sq ft of buildings requests
- 2 acres of open space
- Avg rent of $433 per month
in 2015 a plumbing job took an average
$3 billion in federal funding for of 49 days to fix. A paint job took 53
Sandy projects has been allocated days. a plaster job took 63 days.
to 33 nycha complexes. 3 in Upper
Manhattan are Isaacs, Rangel, and NYCHA IS leasing green space for
Metro North housing complexes. market-rate devlopment. “Infill” projects
are happening at Wyckoff Garden,
Work being done includes: Holmes Towers, Manhattanville, and
* Roof replacement others. THE developments will INCLUDE
* Repair and restoration of doors, frames & hardware of common some “affordable” housing and revenue
areas damaged by flooding for nycha BUT NOT ENOUGH TO PREVENT
* Replacement of underground conduits & site lighting DISPLACEMENT OF certain TENANTS.
* Restoration of playground surface areas and play structures
* Site Restoration (sidewalks, asphalt resurfacing, fencing)
* Installation of stand-by generators to provide full back-up power New developments on NYchA property
* New building to house boiler equipment are subject to Project Labor Agreement
* New electrical annex with the Building and Construction
* Restoration of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems
* Abate & restore building crawl spaces
Trades Council (BCTC) of Greater New
* CCTV and Layered Access Systems York – PROVIDING SOME access to union
* Flood proofing of damaged areas MEMBERSHIP and training.
Tenants Rights Right to the City

The right to the city is a philosophy
that states the residents of a city
Anti-Harassment have the right to make and remake
In NYC landlords are required to the city after their own image. This is
maintain the physical quality of housing in contrast to current systems where
according to Housing Maintenance non-representative governmental
Code, which the dept of Housing institutions and private companies
Preservation and Development (HPD) have enourmas influence in how
enforces. There are other state and cities are developed and what
national laws that carry severe penalties services are provided, among
if landlords raise rents excessively, do other things. Moreover, the right
construction that creates health hazards to the city is a common rather
for tenants, or otherwise exploit their than an individual right since this
tenants financially or cause physical harm. transformation inevitably depends
More at: http://metcouncilonhousing.org/ upon the exercise of a collective
power to reshape the processes
Housing Court of urbanization. In New York City
Tenants can file an HP action against their many organizations, like the Young
landlord when the landlord will not make Lords (pictured right), Occupy Wall
repairs or provide required services. The Street, Right to the City Alliance,
action asks the court to order the landlord and countless others have worked
to make repairs or provide services. An HP tirelessly to shape policy and
action can be filed by just one tenant or a create a process for this right to be
group of tenants in a building and can be exercised.
for individual dwelling units or in the public
areas of a building. To file an HP action you
Squatters Rights
must first send a letter by certified mail to the
landlord listing the repairs and services you When a person takes “adverse
need. More at: http://cwtfhc.org/ possession” of a home, they obtain
what are known as “squatter’s
Tenants Unions rights.” In the state of New York, a
person has to live on the property
Tenants unions are networks of
openly and without permission of
tenants that span across buildings,
the owner for a period of at least
usually within one neighborhood,
10 uninterrupted years to be able to
that facilitate collective bargaining
claim “adverse possession.” In New
for rent reductions, building
York City, however, grants squatter’s
improvements, and other tenant
rights after just 30 days. According
needs. The Crown Heights Tenants
to the law, after 30 the owner must
Union, for examplke, includes over
go through the process of legal
40 buildings working to maintain
eviction to regain possession. More
affordability and stop gentrification.
at: buildium.com
Social Housing Developments Community Garden

Given that cooperatives emphasize
providing services for all of their
Permanent Affordability members and the shared use
Thousands of ‘affordable’ housing units of space, they comport well with
in NY that exist or that will be developed community gardens that rely on
will become market rate over the next few similar features. Coops may already
decades. Permanently affordable housing have member information and access
units are not developed based on to space, which are two key steps to
investor speculation but are mandated to building and managing a garden.
be below market for their entire duration.
Childcare
Open Space and Recreation Many social housing developments
Community land trusts and housing have childcare included within their
coops can support development building. Childcare services are
of shared open space facilities. By provided under existing healthcare
collectivizing some housing resources provisions or can be procured
like cooking and transportation facilities, separately by members that want
additional space can be freed to create to pool their resources for shared
parks, gardens, and other open areas. childcare. Shared spaces in the
building, like a nursery or community
center, can also be used.
HDFC Co-ops
HDFC stands for Housing Development Accessible Transportation
Finance Corporation. They are social
Sharing bicycles, cars, and other
purpose corporations (SPC) committed
modes of transport has become a
to the conservation of affordable
popular model allowing city-dwellers
housing. HDFCs are legal entities that
to forgo the large upfront capital costs
own or more residential buildings. They
of owning a vehicle, while still giving
are membership based with membership
them access to one when they need
granted a share purchase in the
it most. Transportation cooperatives
cooperative. Each shareholder is granted
reduce the costs of car and bicycle
the right to occupy one unit. Co-ops
ownership while allowing people who
allow members to pool their resources so
already own those resources to be
that their buying power is leveraged, thus
compensated for sharing them with
lowering the cost per member in all the
the larger community. When these
services and products associated with
systems are partnered with social
home ownership, including building solar
housing developments they can
energy and other resilience measures.
significantly reduce the cost of living.
There are 3,000 HDFC coops in NYC.
124 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 3I: Waterfronts \\\ 125
3I Waterfronts
NYC has 520 miles of coastline
Floodwalls and barriers can

Working waterfronts can support During Superstorm Sandy the double as public waterfront
sustainable transportation for water level on the shore of Staten spaces. Many berms and
shipping, promote local business, Island increased by 16 feet, in street elevations being built
and connect waterfront access Brooklyn by 13 feet, in Queens by in Lower Manhattan will
with the need for local economic 11 feet, and in Manhattan by 11 double as a new waterfront
opportunity. feet. NYCHA properties are concentrated in
esplanade.
waterfront areas. Being on the waterfront
can cool the buildings, which suffer from
the urban heat island, but their location
makes them more susceptible to flooding
and strong winds.
Coastal Protection Aquatic Ecosystems

Coastal ecosystems, including
those underwater, can create a
Waterfront Barriers
buffer to storm surges. Creating
Hard infrastructure will have to be built along coastlines to protect from oyster beds, mussels, and eelgrass
rising sea levels. This example of a waterfront park in Annapolis, Maryland, tidal marshes, for example,
demonstrates how hard infrastructure can be multipurpose by also creating attenuates waves and cleans
public space, exhibiting art, and supporting transportation. millions of gallons of harbor water
by harnessing the biotic filtration
process. These projects can also
stimulate biodiversity and help
revise NY’s marine economy.
Natural Buffers
Wetlands can serve as buffer areas
to protect against storm surge by
being a transitional zone between dry
lands and areas dominated by rivers
or estuaries. When natural buffers
are eroded, as was the case in New
Orleans before Hurricane Katrina,
urban areas feel the full brunt of a
hurricane’s winds and storm surge.
Integrated Buffer Systems
The City government, with support from New York State and federal agencies, are Floating Architecture
spending billions on a range of micro and site specific flood damage solutions for With floating architecture, local coastlines become an asset in the face of
Lower Manhattan and other areas hard hit by Sandy. Some of the solutions are climate change instead of a vulnerability. Buildings that have flotation systems,
permanent with others being deployed during storms. They include raising streets, or buildings that are considered “permanently moored” and not usable in
making buildings more resilient, improving drainage and pumping facilities, raising navigation, can serve as a barrier to coastal flooding, while also providing
streets along the waterfront, and deploying temporary flood walls when necessary. critical resources like housing, urban farms, open areas, industrial facilities,
and more. Floating buildings are usually towed into location by another ship.
Water as a Human Right Privatization

When private corporations buy or
operate public water utilities and/
Water Pollution or natural water resources, leaving
Water pollution is the contamination communities with higher rates and
of water lakes, rivers, oceans, lower water quality, among other things.
aquifers and groundwater. This Many believe the privatization of water
form of environmental degradation is a violation of water as a human
is at risk of increasing due to right. One source claims that globally
several pipeline projects within 909 million consumers of water were
North America, increased coastal served by “private players” in 2011, up
development, and the global from 681 million people in 2007. For
nature of waste management. The the typical household, privately owned
combination of increased pollution water utility service costs 59% more
and the move to privatized forms of than public water service. And investor
infrastructure makes the future very owned utilities charge 63% more for
dangerous for communities living off sewer service than public utilities. In
the land and/or dependent on public Flint, Michigan, where the water was
services for water. Flint, Michigan, found to have high levels of lead, the
pictured middle-right opposite page municipality changed water supplies for
is an example. local residents to a polluted source to
save costs, while still providing private
Collective Management business with higher qaulity water. More
at: foodandwaterwatch.org
Water can be sustainably
managed as a common resource
where it provides sufficiently for Water Protectors
communities and is preserved Activists around North America, known as Water Protectors, have been engaging in
for future generations. Common direct action to prevent the privatization of water and extraction of fossil fuels where
resources are managed by ensuring water is at risk of being polluted. This includes protesting pipeline construction and
that those that are dependent on drilling. Water protectors also promote alternative forms of governance and design for
resources can participate fairly the conservation and equitable distribution of water. Such direct action to protect ater
in its management. This means will be more important in the future as climate change adds stress to water supplies
ensuring the rule-making rights of by contributing to droughts and otherwise damaging ecosystems. More at: nodapl.life
community members are respected
by outside authorities, using a peer
system for monitoring resource
consumption, having methods of
accountability for group members,
and building responsibility for
governing common resources from
the community to the state level.
More at: onthecommons.org
135th Street Marine Transfer Station
One opportunity for community River ecosystem. The facility has

waterfront redevelopment is been decommissioned as a waste
the 135th Street Marine Waste facility by New York State and is
Transfer Station. Local groups currently in possession of New
have long been planning for its York City’s Department of Citywide
redevelopment as an environmental Administrative Services (DCAS).
center with hydroponics and As West Harlem gentrifies, there
aquaculture center, a boathouse, is more interest in waterfront
a recreational facility, exhibition redevelopment, however the
space, and other facilities. The facility, which caused decades of
20,000-square-foot space, which pollution, should be developed
served as Manhattan’s only round- according to local plans, which
the-clock garbage depot, has been include access and ownership
vacant since 1999 and has become over the future community center’s
a hazard for the fragile Hudson resources space and programs.
Images on opposite
page: Exterior and
interior of the Marine
Transfer Station taken
in 2015
Images on this page:

Redevelopment
concepts presented
by the AIA and Pratt
Institute
Case Study: Venice Flood Management
Venice, Italy, for obvious reasons, Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea
has one of the most advanced flood during high tides. Together with
management systems in the world. other measures such as coastal
The nuisance flooding they deal with reinforcement, the raising of
regularly will become more common quaysides, and the paving and
place around the world as sea levels improvement of the lagoon, MOSE is
rise. designed to protect Venice and the
lagoon from tides of up to 3 meters
Flooding in Venice, known as (9.8 ft).
Acqua alta, occurs regularly during
the winter months. “For anyone Construction began in 2003 at all
who is not Venetian, it is always three lagoon inlets. As of June 2013,
amazing to see how residents in more than 85% of the project has
the city take the phenomenon of been completed. The project has:
the high tides and exceptional water * 1 mile of mobile barriers
levels in their stride,” says Paolo * 78 gates
Canestrelli, director of the city’s * One lock for large shipping
tide monitoring and forecast center. * Three small locks to allow the
Measures in place to protect against transit of smaller vessels
flooding include sirens that warn * There are 156 hinges
the city when a high tide is forecast; * 30 minutes is required to raise
information is provided in real time the gates
via the web and mobile telephones;
temporary elevated platforms are set The project is estimated to cost
up in the parts of the city with heavier $5.5 billion, up $1.5 billion from
pedestrian traffic, while some public initial cost projections. It should be
water transport lines are diverted to fully operational in 2018. For more
all-weather routes. information visit mosevenezia.eu.
A more significant flood measure

the city is taking is known as
MOSE (Modulo Sperimentale
Elettromeccanico, Experimental
Electromechanical Module). It is a
large moveable floodwall off of the
coast. It is an integrated system
consisting of rows of mobile gates
installed at the Lido, Malamocco
and Chioggia inlets that are able MOSE flood walls under construction to protect Venice, Italy from high tide
to temporarily isolate the Venetian flooding and rising sea levels.
134 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 4A: Glossary \\\ 135
4. Reference Information
implementing activities for mitigation of the climate change.
Cogeneration - The simultaneous production of power and thermal energy. Such systems
have great potential in industry, where a significant requirement for electricity is coupled
with a large demand for process steam
A. Glossary Community Solar - A solar–electric system which is shared by several members of a

respective community, installed on a collective residential building.
Combined Sewer Overflow - In periods of rainfall or snowmelt, total wastewater flows can
Alternating Current (AC) - mA current that flows alternately in one direction and then in
exceed the capacity of the sewer collection systems and/or treatment facilities. When this
the reverse direction. In North America, the standard for alternating current is 60 complete
occurs, the combined sewer system is designed to overflow directly to nearby streams,
cycles each second. Such electricity is said to have a frequency of 60 hertz. Alternating
lakes, and harbors, discharging untreated sewage and stormwater.
current is used in power systems because it can be transmitted and distributed more
economically than direct current. Combined Heat and Power - Trigeneration or combined cooling, heat and power(CCHP)
refers to the simultaneous generation of electricity and useful heating and cooling from the
Anthropocene - Is a proposed epoch dating from when human activities started to have a
combustion of a fuel or a solar heat collector. Cogeneration is a thermodynamically efficient
significant global impact on Earth’s geology and ecosystems. The Anthropocence concept
use of fuel.
thus includes, but also transcends, the idea of anthropogenic climate change.
Common Resource - a resource, such as water or open land, that provides users with
Anthropogenic Climate Change - A change or disturbance in the climate caused by humans
tangible benefits. A major concern with common resources is overuse, especially when
Base Load - The minimum continuous load over a given period of time. Base load there is discmination by powerful forces and land/people are exploited.
generating stations operate essentially at full output whenever possible.
Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) - a system allowing municipalities to aggregate
Capacity - In the electric power industry, capacity has two meanings: 1. System Capacity: the buying power of individual customers to secure alternative energy supply contracts on a
The maximum power capability of a system. For example, a utility system might have a community-wide basis. CCAs now serve nearly 5% of Americans in over 1300 municipalities
rated capacity of 5000 megawatts, or might sell 50 megawatts of capacity. 2. Equipment as of 2014.
Capacity: The maximum power capability of piece of equipment. For example, a generating
Composting - A mixture of decayed or decaying organic matter used to fertilize soil.
unit might have a rated capacity of 50 megawatts.
Compost is usually made by gathering plant material, such as leaves, grass clippings,
Capital Project - A Capital Project is a project that helps maintain or improve a City asset, and vegetable peels, into a pile or bin and letting it decompose as a result of the action of
often called infrastructure. To be included in the Capital Budget, a project must meet ONE aerobic bacteria, fungi, and other organisms.
of the following requirements (criteria): It is a new construction, expansion, renovation, or
Consumer Cooperative - enterprises owned by consumers and managed democratically
replacement project for an existing facility or facilities.
which aim at fulfilling the needs and aspirations of their members. They operate within the
Carbon Footprint - The amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted market system, independently of the state, as a form of mutual aid, oriented toward service
due to the consumption of fossil fuels by a particular person, group, etc. rather than pecuniary profit. There are many types of consumers’ cooperative. There are
health care, insurance, and housing cooperatives as well as credit unions, agricultural and
Climate Change Adaptation - A process of adapting of ecosystem to the new circumstances
utility cooperatives. The major difference between consumers’ cooperatives and other forms
caused by the climate changes and implementing activities for limiting the future effects
of business is that the purpose of a consumers’ cooperative association is to provide quality
Climate Change Mitigation - Process of reducing the impact of the climate change (in focus goods and services at the lowest cost to the consumer/owners rather than to sell goods and
– limiting the level of green gas emissions) by various tools such as installing new eco friendly services at the highest price above cost that the consumer is willing to pay.
technologies, raising awareness among citizens for rational use of energy or via green urban
Conference of Parties (COP) - Supreme decision-making body of the Convention on
planning.
Climate Change which reviews the implementation of the Convention and takes decisions
Climate Justice - Recognition of climate change’s disproportionate impacts on historically necessary to promote the effective implementation of the Convention, including institutional
marginalized communities, who benefit the least from fossil fuels consumption both and administrative arrangements.
locally and around the world. Climate justice work aims to level these impacts and foster
Demand Response (DR) - Demand Response is a resource for controlling electricity
comprehensive solutions outlined by affected groups.
consumption at times of peak demand. Consumers reduce or shift their electricity usage
Climate Resilience - A constant process of recognizing and highlighting the implications of during peak periods in response to price signals and financial incentives.
the climate change over the biodiversity, adapting to the new circumstances and providing/
Democratic socialism - A political ideology that advocates political democracy alongside control over the food production chain (planting, gardening, collecting and distributing) in
social ownership of the means of production, often with an emphasis on democratic order to promote and protect people’s right to healthy wood and healthy environment.
management of enterprises within a socialist economic system.
Gender Rights - The struggle for justice in the treatment of women and members of the
Direct Current (DC) - Current that flows continuously in the same direction (as opposed to LGBTQ community. This includes a more respectful discourse in our culture about gender
alternating current). The current supplied from a battery is direct current roles and systems (i.e. patriarchy and matriarchy, among other things), and changes in how
power is exercised in society from the family level to the highest levels of power.
Disaster Capitalism - The practice (by a government, regime, etc) of taking advantage of
a major disaster to adopt liberal economic policies that the population would be less likely Gentrification - The process of urban redevelopment that is implemented by partnerships
to accept under normal circumstances between government and business, and that creates demographic changes by displacing
low-income communities of color for the benefit of affluent communities that have more
Electrical Energy - The quantity of electricity delivered over a period of time. The commonly
economic and political capital than the community they are displacing.
used unit of electrical energy is the kilowatt-hour (kWh).
Gigawatt (GW) - One billion watts. (see Watt)
Electrical Power - The rate of delivery of electrical energy and the most frequently used
measure of capacity. The basic unit is the kilowatt (kW). Green Economy - It is an economy does not cause any consequences to the environment and the
nature, but at the same time is sustainable and produces growth and employment prospects.
Electrical Cooperative - A cooperative owned by community members which distributes
electricity to the respective community. In case the cooperative makes margin profit, the Green Infrastructure - Process of preserving the ecosystems by increasing the amount
amount is reinvested for infrastructure maintenance or renovation; in some cases even and number of greenery in a respective area. Most usually, the green infrastructure is
dividenda is shared among the members. related to treating and managing storm water by installing environmental features, usually
trees and plants. Green roof tops and reed beds are some of the examples for green
Environmental Democracy - To give individuals and communities meaningful decision-
infrastructure. They absorb the storm water and positively affect the capacity of the sewage
making power over how this transition is carried out and how it affect us.
collection system during heavy rain falls.
Environmental Resiliency - The ability of ecosystems to respond to periodic disruptions
Grid - A network of electric power lines and connections.
and adapt to gradual change.
HDFC Coops - It stands for Housing Development Fund Corporation cooperatives. This
Energy Efficiency (EE) - Energy efficiency, or efficient energy use, is a way of managing and
is NYC’s affordable housing measure by which renters or buyers receive tax breaks and
restraining growth in energy consumption. Its goal is to reduce and/or maximize the amount
subsidies under specific rules and conditions mainly focusing on their income and financial
of energy required to deliver services. managing and restraining the consumption of energy.
capability.
It can be achieved by installing energy efficiency measures such as outer wall insulation or
by using energy efficient home appliances labeled with “energy star”. Hard Infrastructure - Hard infrastructure encompasses networks necessary for the functioning of
a modern industrial nation. This article delineates both the fixed assets, and the control systems,
Energy Poverty - Lack of meeting the daily basic needs such as cooking, heating or/and
software required to operate, manage and monitor the systems, as well as any accessory buildings,
personal hygiene as a result to limited access to energy. It also stands for phenomena in
plants, or vehicles that are an essential part of the system. Also included are fleets of vehicles
which people as a result of sufficient income, use dirty or polluting fuels.
operating according to schedules such as public transit buses and garbage collection, as well as
Environmental Justice - Recognition of the increased likelihood for low-income basic energy or communications facilities that are not usually part of a physical network, such as oil
communities of color to live with greater environmental risks than other communities, refineries, radio, and television broadcasting facilities.
especially in high-density urban contexts. Environmental justice work engages these
Heatwave - A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which may be
communities to define problems and solutions for flattening this disparity.
accompanied by high humidity, especially in oceanic climate countries. While definitions
Evapotranspiration - The process by which water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere vary, a heat wave is measured relative to the usual weather in the area and relative to
by evaporation from the soil and other surfaces and by transpiration from plants. normal temperatures for the season.
Floodplain - A flat area which is close to a river or other water stream and is under risked Hertz (Hz) - The unit of frequency for alternating current. Formerly called cycles per second.
of being flooded during heavy rain falls. The standard frequency for power supply in North America is 60 Hz.
Fossil Fuels - A natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the Hurricane evacuation zone - New York City’s hurricane contingency plans are based on six
remains of living organisms. evacuation zones. Hurricane evacuation zones are areas of the city that may be inundated
Food Sovereignty - Idea/mission which strives for people to have full engagement and by storm surge or isolated by storm surge waters. There are six zones, ranked by the risk of
storm surge impact, with Zone 1 being the most likely to flood. In the event of a hurricane or
tropical storm, residents in these zones may be ordered to evacuate. Social Housing - Social housing is affordable housing. A key function of social housing
is to provide accommodation that is affordable to people on low incomes. Limits to rent
Just Transition - a framework that has been developed by the trade union movement to
increases set by law mean that rents are kept affordable.
encompass a range of social interventions needed to secure workers’ jobs and livelihoods
when economies are shifting to sustainable production, including avoiding climate change, Social Justice - Equal access to liberties, opportunities, and rights for all people in a
protecting biodiversity, among other challenges. society; protection and support for its members according to need; and celebration of
diversity among its members
Kilowatt hour (kWh) - The commercial unit of electric energy; 1000 watt hours. A kilowatt
hour can best be visualized as the amount of electricity consumed by ten 100-watt light Social Movement - Social movements are a type of group action. They are large, sometimes
bulbs burning for an hour. One kilowatt hour is equal to 3.6 million joules. informal, groupings of individuals or organizations which focus on specific political or social issues.
They resist and/or carry out a social change based on a set of values and ideologies held within
Load - The total amount of electricity required to meet customer demand at any moment.
and across communities and seek to be revolutionary in outcome. Social movements have been
The load equation fluctuates depending on electricity use throughout any given day.
ciritcal to many if not all contemporary instances of vast improvements in civil and human rights.
Microgrids - Local energy sources which distribute energy. They are connected to the
Soft Infrastructure - Refers to all the institutions which are required to maintain the
central grid, but can operate and distribute energy independently from it. Microgrids have
economic, health, and cultural and social standards of a country, such as the financial
own power resources, generations and loads and can be used as a back –up option in case
system, the education system, the health care system, the system of government, and law
of blackouts.
enforcement, as well as emergency services Soft infrastructure includes both physical
Neoliberalism - A policy model of social studies and economics that transfers control of assets such as highly specialised buildings and equipment, as well as non-physical assets
economic factors to the private sector from the public sector. It takes from the basic principles such as the body of rules and regulations governing the various systems, the financing
of neoclassical economics, suggesting that governments must limit subsidies, make reforms to of these systems, as well as the systems and organizations by which highly skilled and
tax law in order to expand the tax base, reduce deficit spending, limit protectionism, and open specialized professionals are trained, advance in their careers by acquiring experience,
markets up to trade. It also seeks to abolish fixed exchange rates, back deregulation, permit and are disciplined if required by professional associations.
private property, and privatize businesses run by the state.
Socio-economic inequality - Uneven distribution of resources and wealth among
Net-metering - A system in which solar panels or other renewable energy generators are different groups in a society. This is tied to histories of mitigated access including redlining,
connected to a public-utility power grid and surplus power is transferred onto the grid, discriminatory hiring practices, and unfairly written laws
allowing customers to offset the cost of power drawn from the utility.
Sustainable development - Economic development with concerns for equitable distribution
New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) - Operates competitive wholesale of benefits among people both presently and intergenerationally.
markets to manage the flow of electricity across New York—from the power producers who
Transmission - The process of transporting electric energy in bulk on high voltage lines from
generate it to the local utilities that deliver it to residents and businesses.
the generating facility to the local distribution company for delivery to retail customers.
Non-profit Industrial Complex - The non-profit industrial complex (or the NPIC) is a system
Urban Heat Island - A metropolitan area which is way warmer compared to the rest of the
of relationships between, the State (or local and federal governments), the owning classes,
areas in the city or to the rural regions. The local heat is produced due to the concentration of
foundations, and non-profit/NGO social service & social justice organizations that results
buildings, cars, streets and people as well as a result of lack of greenery.
in the surveillance, control, derailment, and everyday management of political movements.
Worker Cooperative - Worker-owned cooperatives are business enterprises that are owned
The prison industrial complex (PIC) - Is a term we use to describe the overlapping
and governed by their employees. All worker cooperatives have two common characteristics:
interests of government and industry that use surveillance, policing, and imprisonment as
1) member-owners invest in and own the business together, and share the enterprise’s
solutions to economic, social and political problems.
profits, and 2) decision-making is democratic, with each member having one vote. Currently,
Renewable Energy - Energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind there are over 300 worker-owned cooperatives in the U.S. operating in a diverse range of
or solar power. industries. While the majority are small businesses, with fewer than 50 workers, there are
Remote net-metering - Remote net metering rules allow for solar power to be installed also notable larger enterprises.
anywhere and sold onto the grid in order to foster clean energy development. 100-year floodplain - The geographical area with a 1 percent or greater chance of flooding
in any given year
Social Cohesion - The measure by which a society fosters social inclusion and mobility,
and resists marginalization of any members. A society with strong social cohesion is 500-year floodplain - The geographical area with a 0.2 percent chance of flooding in any
given year
collectively more capable of adapting to changing social and environmental conditions.
140 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 4B: Bibliography \\\ 141
Sources: NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, 2011. NYC Department of

B. Bibliography City Planning, LANDSAT 7 ETM+, July 2011.
* Political Boundaries Map by: Aurash Khawarzad, Mateo Fernandez-Muro and
Maps: Zlatko Simonovski, November 2016. Source: Charter of the City of New York,
Chapter 2 §25(a)
* Basemap Map by: Aurash Khawarzad and Mateo Fernandez-Muro, November * % Rent Stabilized Map by: Aurash Khawarzad and Mateo Fernandez-Muro,
2016. Sources: New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). Department of November 2016. Sources: http://blog.johnkrauss.com/, 2016. NYS Homes and
City Planning (DCP). Office of Emergency Management (OEM). WE ACT for Community Renewal (NYSHCR); NYC Department of Finance (DoF). WE ACT
Environmental Justice, 2016. FEMA Preliminary Work Maps for New York for Environmental Justice, 2016. See basemap for flood and housing sources.
City 100-year flood, June 2013. Mayor’s Office of Long Term Planning and * Food and Waste Map by: Aurash Khawarzad and Mateo Fernandez-Muro,
Sustainability (OLTPS), CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities (CISC), New November 2016. Sources: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
York Panel on Climate Change (NPCC). (DOHMH). WE ACT for Environmental Justice, 2016. NYC Department of
* Demographics Map by: Aurash Khawarzad and Mateo Fernandez-Muro, Environmental Protection. https://livinglotsnyc.org, 2016. See Basemap for
November 2016. Sources: US Census Bureau, 2010 Census, SF1 - Population flood and housing data.
Division - New York City Department of City Planning; U.S. Census American
Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2014. WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Articles cited:
2016. NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, 2011. New York City Housing
Authority (NYCHA). See Basemap for flood data and housing sources. 1. About NYCEM. (2016). https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/em/downloads/pdf/
* Income Map by: Aurash Khawarzad and Mateo Fernandez-Muro, November press_kit/mediakit_final.pdf
2016. Source: U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2. About PBNYC. (n.d.). http://labs.council.nyc/pb/
2014. WE ACT for Environmental Justice, 2016. MIT Living Wage Calculator. 3. American Metrological society - Glossary. (2015, July 28). http://glossary.
Department of City Planning (DCP). See Basemap for flood and housing ametsoc.org/?id=urban-heat-island1
sources. 4. Assembly Passes “New York State Climate and Community Protection Act” to
* Rent Burden Map by: Aurash Khawarzad and Mateo Fernandez-Muro, Enhance Anti-Climate Change Efforts. (2016, June 02). http://assembly.state.
November 2016. Source: NYC Department of City Planning (DCP); U.S. ny.us/Press/20160602//
Census American Community Survey estimates, 2014; New York City Housing 5. Barone, V. (2016, October 27). Superstorm Sandy NYC: MTA continues to
and Vacancy Survey (HVS). NYC Department of Housing Preservation and rebuild four years later. http://www.amny.com/transit/superstorm-sandy-nyc-
Development (DHPD). NYC Industrial Development Agency (IDA). WE ACT for mta-continues-to-rebuild-four-years-later-1.12516779
Environmental Justice, 2016. See Basemap for flood and housing data. 6. Beat the heat. (n.d.). http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/em/html/beat-the-heat/
* Solar Shade + Energy Map by: Aurash Khawarzad and Mateo Fernandez- beattheheat.html
Muro, November 2016. Sources: Google Project Sunroof. See basemap for 7. Bell, M. (2015, February 15). Bringing Shared Solar to Scale [Web log post].
flood and other data sources. http://blog.rmi.org/blog_2015_02_12_bringing_shared_solar_to_scale
* Emergency Planning Map by: Aurash Khawarzad and Mateo Fernandez- 8. Benthemplein Water Square: An innovative way to prevent urban flooding in
Muro, November 2016. Sources: Department of City Planning (DCP). NYC Rotterdam. (2014, August 27). http://www.c40.org/case_studies/benthemplein-
Department of Information Technology & Telecommunications (DoITT). WE ACT water-square-an-innovative-way-to-prevent-urban-flooding-in-rotterdam
for Environmental Justice, 2016. See basemap for flood and housing sources. 9. Bergin, B. (2014, September 29). Solar Schools: NYC Invests $28m in Rooftop
* Land Cover Map by: Aurash Khawarzad and Mateo Fernandez-Muro, with Panels. http://www.wnyc.org/story/here-comes-sun-nyc-invests-28m-rooftop-
contributions from Zoe Hamstead, University of Buffalo, April 2016. solar-panels/
* Sources: NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, 2011. NYC Department of 10. Brenn, M. (2016, October 28). Iceland’s crowd-sourced constitution: Hope for
City Planning, 2011. disillusioned voters everywhere. http://theconversation.com/icelands-crowd-
* Temperature Map courtesy of Zoe Hamstead, University of Buffalo, April 2016. sourced-constitution-hope-for-disillusioned-voters-everywhere-67803
11. Bywater Statistical Area. (2015, December 15). http://www.datacenterresearch. http://www.pnas.org/content/112/52/15827

org/data-resources/neighborhood-data/district-7/bywater/#income---poverty 27. DS-Reforming the Energy Vision. (2016, January 28). http://www3.dps.ny.gov/W/
12. City of New York, New York City Housing Authority. (2016). NextGeneration: PSCWeb.nsf/All/CC4F2EFA3A23551585257DEA007DCFE2?OpenDocument
NYCHA Sustainability Agenda [Brochure]. https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/nycha/ 28. Energy retrofit for NYCHA building. https://www.behance.net/gallery/18804789/
downloads/pdf/NGN-Sustainability.pdf Energy-retrofit-for-NYCHA-building
13. City of New York, New York City Housing Authority. (2016, April 21). NYCHA 29. Feds Allocate $3 Billion for 33 Sandy-Damaged NYCHA Developments. (2015,
Announces First-ever Comprehensive Sustainability Agenda for Healthy April 1). from http://www.nyenvironmentreport.com/feds-allocate-3-billion-for-
& Energy-Efficient Public Housing [Press release].Www1.nyc.gov. https:// 33-sandy-damaged-nycha-developments/
www1.nyc.gov/site/nycha/about/press/pr-2016/NYCHA-Announces-First- 30. Food Access. (n.d.). http://www1.nyc.gov/site/foodpolicy/initiatives/food-
Sustainability-Agenda-20160421.page access.page
14. City of New York. ONE NYC 2016 Progress Report (pp. 103-104, Publication). 31. Foster, S, Laione, C. (2015, August 29). The City as Commons. https://papers.
(2016). New York, NY: The City of New York. ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2653084
15. City of New York. ONE NYC 2016 Progress Report (pp. 145, Publication). 32. Franco, J. T. (2015, December 11). This Clay Brick Disperses Heat to Keep
(2016). Ney York, NY: The City of New York. Buildings Cool. Retrieved July 11, 2016, from http://www.archdaily.com/778158/
16. City-owned and Leased Property (Local Law 48 of 2011). (2016). https://data. in-detail-heat-dispersing-brick-developed-in-colombia
cityofnewyork.us/City-Government/City-owned-and-Leased-Property-Local- 33. Funes, Y. (2016, October 28). Four Years Later, How NYC Public Housing
Law-48-of-201/4e2n-s75z#column-menu Survived Hurricane Sandy. https://www.colorlines.com/articles/four-years-
17. Clark, D. (2016, August 5). City Inks $135M Harlem Affordable Housing Deal later-how-nyc-public-housing-survived-hurricane-sandy
with Developers. https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160805/central-harlem/ 34. Gerken, J. (2015, April 10). California Is In The Middle Of Its Worst
city-inks-135m-harlem-affordable-housing-deal-with-developers Drought In 1,200 Years, And These People Are Doing Something About
18. Clark, D. (2016, September 9). $400K in Columbia Cash to Renovate It. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/09/doing-something-about-the-
Grant and Manhattanville Houses. DNA Info. https://www.dnainfo.com/ drought_n_7000126.html
new-york/20160909/west-harlem/400k-columbia-cash-renovate-grant- 35. Get Prepared. (n.d.). https://www1.nyc.gov/site/em/ready/get-prepared.page
manhattanville-houses 36. Glick, D. (2016). Sings from Earth: The Big Thaw. http://environment.
19. Climate & Energy – 80 X 50. (n.d.). http://www1.nyc.gov/site/sustainability/ nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/big-thaw/#page=2
codes/80x50.page 37. Gonzalez, S. (2016, July 28). Without AC, Public Housing Residents Swelter
20. Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss. (2016). http://www.chgeharvard.org/ Through the Summer. http://www.wnyc.org/story/life-new-york-public-housing-
topic/climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss. no-air-conditioning/
21. Coastal Storms & Hurricanes. (2016). http://www1.nyc.gov/site/em/ready/ 38. Governing by obeying: Code of Ethics. Guanyem Barcelona. https://
coastal-storms-hurricanes.page guanyembarcelona.cat/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/codietic-eng.pdf
22. Cole, McPhearson, Herzog, Kudryavtsev. (2016, July 3). Accessing Urban 39. Governor Cuomo Announces New Energy Affordability Policy to Deliver Relief
Environmental Education Opportunities via Green Infrastructure. http://www. to Nearly 2 Million Low-Income New Yorkers. (2016, May 19). https://www.
thenatureofcities.com/2016/07/03/accessing-urban-environmental-education- governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-new-energy-affordability-
opportunities-via-green-infrastructure/ policy-deliver-relief-nearly-2-million-low\
23. Community Emergency Readiness Plan: The critical 72 hours before and after 40. Graham, L. Debucquoy, W, Anguelovski, I. (2016, September). The influence
the emergency. (n.d.). http://tatjanagalldesign.wixsite.com/ready-red-hook of urban development dynamics on community resilience practice in New
24. Community Land Trust. (n.d.). http://www.ehebclt.org/resources/ York City after Superstorm Sandy: Experiences from the Lower East Side
25. Compare: LED Lights vs CFL vs Incandescent Lighting Chart. (n.d.). http:// and the Rockaways. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/
www.designrecycleinc.com/led comp chart.html S0959378016301017
26. Dennig, F, Budolfsona, M, Fleurbaeya, M, Asher S, and Socolowc, R. (2015, 41. Hamstead, Z, McPherson, T, Glenn, A. (2016, December 7). Climate Resilience
November 4). Inequality, climate impacts on the future poor, and carbon prices. Means Meaningfully Engaging Vulnerable Communities in Urban Planning
Processes. https://www.thenatureofcities.com/2016/12/07/climate-resilience- 54. Li, Y., & Zhao, X. (2012). An empirical study of the impact of human activity
means-meaningfully-engaging-vulnerable-communities-urban-planning- on long-term temperature change in China: A perspective from energy
processes/ consumption. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 117(D17).
42. Harvey, C. (2015, December 8). Climate change is going to make inequality doi:10.1029/2012jd018132
even worse than it already is. The Washington Post. Retrieved October 11, 55. Lopez, M. H., & Dockterman, D. (2011, May 26). U.S. Hispanic Country of
2016, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/ Origin Counts for Nation, Top 30 Metropolitan Areas. Retrieved October 27,
wp/2015/12/07/climate-change-is-going-to-make-inequality-even-worse-than- 2016, from http://www.pewhispanic.org/2011/05/26/appendix-5/
it-already-is/ 56. Madrigano, J., Ito, K., Johnson, S., Kinney, P. L., & Matte, T. (2015). A Case-
43. How Better Battery Storage Will Expedite Renewable Energy. (2015, September Only Study of Vulnerability to Heat Wave–Related Mortality in New York City
21). Retrieved August 23, 2016, from http://www.ecowatch.com/how-better- (2000–2011). Environmental Health Perspectives. doi:10.1289/ehp.1408178
battery-storage-will-expedite-renewable-energy-1882097909.html 57. Manley, E. (2016, February 05). Hallets Point Development in Queens Will Go
44. Hu, W. (2015, June 19). Hot Peppers Becoming a Cash Crop for Bronx Off-Grid. Retrieved July 12, 2016, from http://www.nyenvironmentreport.com/
Community Gardens. The New York Times. Retrieved October 11, 2016, from hallets-point-development-in-queens-will-go-off-grid/
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/20/nyregion/hot-peppers-becoming-a-cash- 58. McGeehan, P. (2016, October 30). Con Ed Says Plan to Install Rooftop Solar
crop-for-bronx-community-gardens.html?_r=0 Panels Will Aid Poor New Yorkers. The New York Times. Retrieved September
45. Hurricane Evacuation Centers | NYC Open Data. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 4, 2016, from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/31/nyregion/con-ed-says-plan-
2016, from https://data.cityofnewyork.us/Public-Safety/Hurricane-Evacuation- to-install-rooftop-solar-panels-will-aid-poor-new-yorkers.html
Centers/ayer-cga7/data 59. Merguerian, C. (1983). Geological Map of Manhattan [Map]. In Http://people.
46. Hurricane Evacuation. (2016). Retrieved November 02, 2016, from http:// hofstra.edu/. Retrieved November 29, 2016, from http://people.hofstra.edu/
www1.nyc.gov/site/em/ready/hurricane-evacuation.page charles_merguerian/ImagesGifs/0809DFINYCGeology01.jpg
47. Hurricane Inundation Zones - Worst Case I NYC Open Data. (n.d.). Retrieved 60. Methodology for Estimated Energy Savings from Cost-Effective Air Sealing and
November 29, 2016, from https://data.cityofnewyork.us/Public-Safety/ Insulating. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2016, from https://www.energystar.
Hurricane-Inund%20*%20ation-Zones-Worst-Case/h3ke-x25q/data gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_methodology
48. Hurricane Safety Tips. (2016). Retrieved September 02, 2016, from http:// 61. Moore, K. (2012, July 06). It’s hip to be (a water) square. Retrieved October
www1.nyc.gov/site/em/ready/hurricane-safety-tips.page 12, 2016, from http://plancharlotte.org/story/stormwater-park-plaza-charlotte-
49. Invest in energy-efficiency measures that have a rapid payback. (n.d.). Retrieved mecklenburg-flood
November 29, 2016, from https://www.energystar.gov/buildings/facility-owners- 62. Navarro, M. (2011, June 16). Mapping Sun’s Potential to Power New York.
and-managers/existing-buildings/save-energy/find-cost-effective-investments The New York Times. Retrieved November 29, 2016, from http://www.nytimes.
50. Jalal Sabur and Ray Figueroa, Jr. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2016, from com/2011/06/16/science/earth/16solar.html
http://www.lauraflanders.com/jalal_sabur_and_ray_figueroa_j 63. New York City Council. About PBNYC. (n.d.). Retrieved October 11, 2016, from
51. Katz, C. (2012, November 26). Mayor Bloomberg To Congress: Superstorm http://labs.council.nyc/pb/
Sandy Did $19 Billion In Damage To NYC. Retrieved September 10, 2016, from 64. New York Independent System Operator. (2015). Power Trends 2015:
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/mayor-bloomberg-congress- Rightsizing the Grid [Brochure]. Retrieved October 12, 2016, from http://
superstorm-sandy-19-billion-damage-nyc-blog-entry-1.1692836 www.nyiso.com/public/webdocs/media_room/press_releases/2015/Child_
52. Krudy, E. (2013, May 2). Bloomberg makes final adjustents to NYC’s PowerTrends_2015/ptrends2015_FINAL.pdf
fiscal year 2014 budget. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-nyc-budget- 65. NYC Community Land Initiative. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2016, from
idUSBRE94115U20130502 https://nyccli.org/
53. Leveson, D. J. (2004). The Geology Map of Manhattan, the Bronx and the 66. NYC Election Atlas. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2016, from http://www.
adjacent of New Jersey [Map]. InHttp://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/. Retrieved electionatlas.nyc/maps.html#!interactive
November 29, 2016, from http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/geology/leveson/ 67. Plan for Hazards - Coastal Storms & Hurricanes. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12,
core/linksa/geologic_maps/bedrock_rollover3/correct_bed.html 2016, from http://www1.nyc.gov/site/em/ready/coastal-storms-hurricanes.page
68. Ready New York: My Emergency Plan. (2016). https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/ 2016 [Web log post]. https://www.zumper.com/blog/2016/11/zumper-national-
em/downloads/pdf/myemergencyplan_english.pdf rent-report-november-2016/
69. Recommendations for New York State Food Hub Task Force. (2015, July 02). 85. Vasilogambros, M. (2016, March 6). Taking the High Ground and Developing It.
https://www.centerforsocialinclusion.org/community-recommendations-for- http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/03/taking-the-high-ground-
new-york-state-food-hub-task-force/ and-developing-it/472326/
70. Resource Guide: Harlem Heat |. (2016, May 23). http://www.adaptny. 86. Venugopal, N. ( 2016, February 9). $438M in FEMA Funds May Build Power
org/2016/05/23/resource-guide-harlem-heat/ Plants at Red Hook Houses. DNA Info. https://www.dnainfo.com/new-
71. Roberts, S. (2005, September 2). Planning the Impossible: New York’s york/20160209/red-hook/438m-fema-funds-may-build-power-plants-at-red-
Evacuation. New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/11/ hook-houses
weekinreview/planning-the-impossible-new-yorks-evacuation.html 87. Venugopal, N., Plagianos, I., Honan, K., & Rizzi, N. (2016, October 31).
72. Sanchez, P. A. (2016, August). Preserving Affordable Housing in East Harlem. 5 Resiliency Projects to Watch 4 Years After Hurricane Sandy. https://www.
Retrieved November 29, 2016, from http://library.rpa.org/pdf/RPA-Preserving- dnainfo.com/new-york/20161029/red-hook/hurricane-sandy-anniversary-
Affordable-Housing-in-East-Harlem.pdf resiliency-flood-protection-nyc
73. Spoon, R. (2015, April 12). 8 Tips For Facilitating Better Meetings. http:// 88. Véron, P. (2015, March 9). Why Paris is Building the World’s Biggest Participatory
archpointgroup.com/8-tips-for-facilitating-better-meetings/ Budget. http://www.newcitiesfoundation.org/why-paris-is-building-the-worlds-
74. Stone, L. G. (2014, April 22). The Rise of Solar Co-ops [Web log post]. http:// biggest-participatory-budget/
blog.rmi.org/blog_2014_04_22_the_rise_of_solar_coops 89. Water Square Benthemplein. (n.d.). http://www.urbanisten.nl/
75. System Overview. (n.d.). https://sftool.gov/explore/green-building/section/76/ wp/?portfolio=waterplein-benthemplein
green-roof/system-overview#green-roof/extensive-green-roofs 90. Wang, Marian (2015, April 7). The Many Failures of the New York City Housing
76. Take the Wheel & Ready Your Vehicle. (2016). http://www1.nyc.gov/site/em/ Authority. https://psmag.com/the-many-failures-of-the-new-york-city-housing-
index.page authority-d63e30dec590#.erh6l7cl4.
77. The City of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. (2016). OneNYC 2016 Progress 91. Williams Companies, Inc. : Williams Partners Seeks FERC Approval to
Report. NYC, NY. Significantly Increase Transco Leidy Line Capacity by 2015 | 4-Traders.
78. The City of New York: office for Emergency Management. (2014). Ready New (2013, September 30). http://www.4-traders.com/WILLIAMS-COMPANIES-
York: Preparing for Emergencies in New York City [Brochure]. Author. http:// INC-14884/news/Williams-Companies-Inc-Williams-Partners-Seeks-FERC-
www.nyc.gov/html/oem/downloads/pdf/household_guide.pdf Approval-to-Significantly-Increase-Transco-L-17309749/
79. The global climate 2011-2015: Hottest five-year period on record. (2016, November 92. Windsor, A. (2015, June 16). Inside Venice’s bid to hold back the tide. Www.
8). https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161108122748.htm theguardian.com. https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/jun/16/inside-
80. Thompson, M; Izaskun, G. (2004). Cuba - Weathering the Storm: Lessons in venice-bid-hold-back-tide-sea-level-rise
Risk Reduction from Cuba. 93. World Meteorological Organization. The Global Climate in 2011–2015 / No.
81. U.S. Census American Community Survey Estimates 2014 I (n.d) Retrieved 1179. (2016). Publications Board.
November 29, 2016, from https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/ 94. Wright, S. (1996, October). Living In The Heart Of The Beast. https://libcom.
pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF org/library/in-shell-old-italy-social-centres-wright
82. US Environmental Protection Agency. (2008). Reducing Urban Heat Islands: 95. Zimmer, A. (2016, November 21). Here’s Where Prices for One-Bedroom
Compendium of Strategies: Urban Heat Island Basics [Brochure]. Author. Apartments are Growing Fastest. https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20161121/
Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-06/documents/ east-harlem/cost-one-bedroom-manhattan-brooklyn
basicscompendium.pdf 96. Zimmer, A. (2016, November 19). New 421-a Tax Break for Developers Could
83. Valdes, N. (2014, February 19). Natural Disasters and Planning: the Cuban Cost City Billions: Study. https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20161119/upper-
State and Popular Participation. http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/02/19/ west-side/421-a-tax-break-nyc-rebny-affordable-housing.
natural-disasters-and-planning-the-cuban-state-and-popular-participation/
84. Vanderhorst, G. (2016, November 1). Zumper National Rent Report: November
148 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 4C: Image Credits \\\ 149
50. Page 83: bkrot.org

C. Image Credits 51. Page 87: Maydayspace.org
52. Page 89: Top and Bottom: The New York Times
53. Page 92: geocaching.com
1. over: Aurash Khawarzad and Mateo Fernandez-Muro
C 54. Page 94: Top: youtube.com/channel/UC2198s23hKfoXAkMESYR4hw
2. Inside cover: www.aurashkhawarzad.com (NMCA Volume 1) 55. Page 94: Middle-top: phillywatersheds.org
3. Page 4: James Keivom, New York Daily News 56. Page 94: Middle-bottom: nassauswcd.org
4. Page 6: Aurash Khawarzad 57. Page 94: Bottom: nassauswcd.org
5. Page 11: Diagrams from structuresofcoastalresilience.org 58. Page 95: Top: usda.gov
6. Page 25 Top: New York Times. July 2008 59. Page 95: Middle-top: wri.cals.cornell.edu
7. Page 25 Bottom: therealdeal.com 60. Page 95: Middle-bottom: urbanomnibus.net
8. Page 27 Top: David J. Phillip, Associated Press. April 19, 2016 61. Page 95 Bottom: archdaily.com
9. Page 27 Middle: mic.com 62. Page 97 Top: c40.org
10. Page 27 Bottom: thefreethoughtproject.com 63. Page 97 Middle: rdcrotterdam.com
11. Page 34: Secondavenuesagas.com 64. Page 97 Bottom: urbanisten.nl
12. Page 42: Brooklynsolarworks.com 65. Page 99: swaleny.org
13. Page 46 Top: Iwan Baan, New York Magazine 66. Page 106: pbnyc.org
14. Page 46 Middle: neurodope.com 67. Page 108 Top: Ramsey Orta
15. Page 46 Bottom: NY.Curbed.com 68. Page 108 Bottom: peoplesworld.org
16. Page 47 Top: archdaily.com 69. Page 109 Middle: thunderbirdamericanindiandancers.wordpress.com
17. Page 47 Middle: thegreeneconomy.com 70. Page 109 Bottom: malcolm-x.org
18. Page 47 Bottom: vincent.callebaut.org 71. Page 111 Top: telesurtv.net
19. Page 49 Top-left: engin.umich.edu 72. Page 111 Middle: cronica21.org
20. Page 49 Top-right: assets.roboversity.com 73. Page 111 Bottom: blog.democracyos.org
21. Page 49 Middle: solarcity.com 74. Page 113 Middle and bottom: cooperationjackson.org
22. Page 49 Bottom: solarinstallationpanel.blogspot.com 75. Page 119 Top: NYDailynews.com
23. Page 56 Top: Aurash Khawarzad 76. Page 120 Top: dnainfo.org
24. Page 56 Middle: news.nationalgeographic.com 77. Page 120 Middle: wnyc.org
25. Page 56 Bottom: Elliott Maltby, Thread Collective 78. Page 121 Top: righttothecity.org
26. Page 57 Middle: ecorenovator.org 79. Page 121 Middle: bronxmuseum.org
27. Page 57 Bottom: Cameron Blaylock, Urban Omnibus 80. Page 121 Bottom: takebacktheland.org
28. Page 58 Top: alamy.com 81. Page 122 Top: theguardian.com
29. Page 58 Middle: radioalumbra.com 82. Page 122 Middle: archdaily.com
30. Page 58 Bottom: umc.org 83. Page 122 Bottom: openbuildings.com
31. Page 59 Top: express.co.uk 84. Page 123 Top: blogs.usda.gov
32. Page 59 Middle and bottom: dailyherald.com 85. Page 123 Middle-top: itdp.org
33. Page 61 Top: Red Hook Initiative 86. Page 123 Middle-bottom: mobilicities.com
34. Page 61 Middle-right: Red Hook Initiative 87. Page 123 Bottom: 4allsentientbeings.files.wordpress.com
35. Page 61 Bottom: archpaper.com 88. Page 125 Top: climate.gov
36. Page 63 Top-right: New York Times 89. Page 125 Bottom: rebuildbydesign.org
37. Page 63 Top-left: http://www.met.inf.cu 90. Page 126 Top: wur.nl
38. Page 63 Bottom: Florian Plaucheur, AFP. October 2, 2014 91. Page 126 Middle: spxdaily.com
39. Page 70 Top: architosh.com 92. Page 126 Bottom: toledoblade.com
40. Page 70 Middle: homesbysuncrest.com 93. Page 128 Top and bottom: elcolombiano.com, CoastalCare.org
41. Page 70 Bottom: turas-cities.org 94. Page 128 Bottom: wmf.org
42. Page 71 Top: archdaily.com 95. Page 129 Bottom: dailykos.com
43. Page 71 Middle: inhabitat.com 96. Page 130: Aurash Khawarzad
44. Page 71 Bottom: doggerel.arup.com 97. Page 131 Top: enyacompetitions.org
45. Page 73 Top: greenroofs.com 98. Page 131 Middle: Pratt Institute
46. Page 73 Bottom: newatlas.com 99. Page 131 Bottom: enyacompetitions.org
47. Page 79: The New York Times 100. Page 132: unisdr.org
48. Page 81 Top: corbinhill-foodproject.org 101. Page 133 Top: mosevenezia.eu
49. Page 81 Bottom: corbinhill-foodproject.org 102. Page 133 Bottom: theguardian.com
150 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 4D: Principles for Organizing \\\ 151
D: Principles for Organizing Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing
Principles of Environmental Justice #1 Be Inclusive - If we hope to achieve just societies that include all people in decision-
making and assure that all people have an equitable share of the wealth and the
work of this world, then we must work to build that kind of inclusiveness into our own
Delegates at the First National People of Color participate as equal partners at every level of
Environmental Leadership Summit held on decisionmaking, including needs assessment, movement in order to develop alternative policies and institutions to the treaties policies
October 24-27, 1991, in Washington DC, drafted planning, implementation, enforcement and under neoliberalism. This requires more than tokenism, it cannot be achieved without
and adopted these 17 principles of Environmental evaluation. diversity at the planning table, in staffing, and in coordination. It may delay achievement
Justice. 8) Environmental Justice affirms the right of all of other important goals, it will require discussion, hard work, patience, and advance
workers to a safe and healthy work environment planning. It may involve conflict, but through this conflict, we can learn better ways of
WE, THE PEOPLE OF COLOR, gathered together without being forced to choose between an unsafe working together. It’s about building alternative institutions, movement building, and not
at this multinational People of Color Environmental livelihood and unemployment. It also affirms the
compromising out in order to be accepted into the anti-globalization club.
Leadership Summit, to begin to build a national right of those who work at home to be free from
and international movement of all peoples of color environmental hazards.
to fight the destruction and taking of our lands 9) Environmental Justice protects the right of #2 Emphasis on Bottom-Up Organizing - To succeed, it is important to reach out into
and communities, do hereby re-establish our victims of environmental injustice to receive full new constituencies, and to reach within all levels of leadership and membership base
spiritual interdependence to the sacredness of our compensation and reparations for damages as well of the organizations that are alreadyinvolved in our networks. We must be continually
Mother Earth; to respect and celebrate each of our as quality health care. building and strengthening a base which provides our credibility, ourstrategies,
cultures, languages and beliefs about the natural 10) Environmental Justice considers governmental mobilizations, leadership development, and the energy for the work we must do daily.
world and our roles in healing ourselves; to ensure acts of environmental injustice a violation of
environmental justice; to promote economic international law, the Universal Declaration On
alternatives which would contribute to the Human Rights, and the United Nations Convention #3 Let People Speak for Themselves
development of environmentally safe livelihoods; on Genocide. We must be sure that relevant voices of people directly affected are heard. Ways
and, to secure our political, economic and cultural 11) Environmental Justice must recognize a must be provided for spokespersons to represent and be responsible to the affected
liberation that has been denied for over 500 years special legal and natural relationship of Native constituencies. It is important for organizations to clarify their roles, and who they
of colonization and oppression, resulting in the Peoples to the U.S. government through treaties, represent, and to assure accountability within our structures.
poisoning of our communities and land and the agreements, compacts, and covenants affirming
genocide of our peoples, do affirm and adopt these sovereignty and self-determination.
#4 Work Together In Solidarity and Mutuality - Groups working on similar issues
Principles of Environmental Justice: 12) Environmental Justice affirms the need for
urban and rural ecological policies to clean up and
with compatible visions should consciously act in solidarity, mutuality and support
1) Environmental Justice affirms the sacredness rebuild our each other’s work. In the long run, a more significant step is to incorporate the goals
of Mother Earth, ecological unity and the cities and rural areas in balance with nature, and values of other groups with your own work, in order to build strong relationships.
interdependence of all species, and the right to be honoring the cultural integrity of all our For instance, in the long run, it is more important that labor unions and community
free from ecological destruction. communities, and provided fair access for all to the economic development projects include the issue of environmental sustainability in
2) Environmental Justice demands that public full range of resources. their own strategies, rather than just lending support to theenvironmental organizations.
policy be based on mutual respect and justice for all 13) Environmental Justice calls for the strict enforcement
So communications, strategies and resource sharing is critical, to help us see our
peoples, free from any form of discrimination or bias. of principles of informed consent, and a halt to the
3) Environmental Justice mandates the right to testing of experimental reproductive and medical
connections and build on these.
ethical, balanced and responsible uses of land and procedures and vaccinations on people of color.
renewable resources in the interest of a sustainable 14) Environmental Justice opposes the destructive #5 Build Just Relationships Among Ourselves We need to treat each other with
planet for humans and other living things. operations of multi-national corporations. justice and respect, both on an individual and an organizational level, in this country and
4) Environmental Justice calls for universal 15) Environmental Justice opposes military across borders. Defining and developing “just relationships” will be a process that won’t
protection from nuclear testing, extraction, occupation, repression and exploitation of lands, happen overnight. It must include clarity about decision-making, sharing strategies,
production and disposal of toxic/hazardous wastes peoples and cultures, and other life forms.
and resource distribution. There are clearly many skills necessary to succeed, and
and poisons and nuclear testing that threaten the 16) Environmental Justice calls for the education of
fundamental right to clean air, land, water, and food. present and future generations which emphasizes
we need to determine the ways for those with different skills to coordinate and be
5) Environmental Justice affirms the fundamental social and environmental issues, based on our accountable to one another.
right to political, economic, cultural and experience and an appreciation of our diverse
environmental selfdetermination of all peoples. cultural perspectives. #6 Commitment to Self-Transformation - As we change societies, we must change
6) Environmental Justice demands the cessation 17) Environmental Justice requires that we, as from operating on the mode of individualism to community-centeredness. We must
of the production of all toxins, hazardous wastes, individuals, make personal and consumer choices “walk our talk.” We must be the values that we say we’re struggling for and we must be
and radioactive materials, and that all past and to consume as little of Mother Earth’s resources
justice, be peace, be community.
current producers be held strictly accountable to and to produce as little waste as possible; and
the people for detoxification and the containment make the conscious decision to challenge and
at the point of production. reprioritize our lifestyles to ensure the health of the
7) Environmental Justice demands the right to natural world for present and future generations.
152 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 4E: Emergency Communications \\\ 153
E. Emergency Communications http://www.DialMyCalls.com

DialMyCalls is a completely web-based system that sends emergency weather alerts
Emergency Notification Systems via phone call, text message, and email. Weather data is pulled from the NWS &
DialMyCalls is also is an integration partner with IPAWS/ FEMA warning system.
http://www.Accuweather.com/alerts Account can also be accessed from any computer with internet access. Also offers
Provides free email forecast and severe weather alerts. iPhone/Android apps as well as a toll-free number to dial into to send broadcasts in
times where power may be out, or are on the road.
http://www.alertfm.com/
ALERT FM is an aggregator of State and Local emergency information with multiple http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/fax/ftpmail.txt
contact paths for mass notification. Emergency information is delivered via the data This National Weather Service (NWS) FTPMAIL server is intended to allow Internet
subcarrier of existing FM radio stations, SMS (text) and email. This personal alert access for users who do not have direct access to the World Wide Web but who are
and messaging system allows emergency management officials to create and send equipped with an e-mail system. The service is free and no signup is required. Using
digital alerts and messages to recipients such as first responders, school officials, FTPMAIL, users can request files from NWS and have them automatically e-mailed
businesses, and citizens based on geographic or organizational groupings. Such back to them. Note: This service does not provide automated alerts--user request is
alerts and messages might include NOAA weather warnings, evacuation instructions, required to receive products.
homeland security notices, Amber Alerts, or school closings.
http://www.saildocs.com/
http://anythingweatherstore.com/ Saildocs is an email-based document-retrieval system for the delivery of text-based
AnythingWeather provides severe weather alerting services, via email or mobile phone, Internet documents either on request or by subscription. Saildocs can deliver web
of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, flash floods, lightning, winter storms, and even pages (including text weather forecasts, and provides subscriptions for automatic
specific weather variables like extreme heat or cold or maximum wind gusts. Alerts delivery. Saildocs offers text-based document retrieval and subscription services for
are based on NWS issued watches and warnings etc..as well as Real-Time lightning offshore sailors, adventurers, missionaries and others who must somehow live their
notifications. lives without 56k-baud modems or DSL connections. There are currently two services
offered, a document retrieval service which will return documents from the Internet
http://www.boatus.com/hurricanes/signup.asp or our own files, and a subscription service which will send Internet documents (for
Receive Public Advisories from the National Hurricane Center as they are issued, PLUS example weather reports) at scheduled intervals.
detailed maps of the forecast track, wind bands and wind field for each named storm.
Choose to receive alerts from one or more of 5 regions in the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico. SMS Tsunami Warning - http://www.sms-tsunami-warning.com/
Free email and SMS alerts
http://www.callloop.com/
Call Loop makes it easy for schools, organizations, and local government agencies https://www.stormwaterforecast.com/
to send emergency alerts via mass text messages and audio voice broadcasts. Lets Stormwater Forecast - Site-specific forecasts for stormwater professionals. This service
users sign up to receive local weather alerts and updates sent directly to their mobile provides automated notification of US National Weather Service forecasts supporting
phone. Weather Alerts - Just text in WEATHER to 38470. Source of data--NWS. rain event action plans, flow monitoring and stormwater sampling schedules, staffing
decisions, construction management and asset protection. Automated email alerts are
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Weather Radio Systems provided.
http://weatherradios.com/special-needs
WeatherRadios.com focuses on weather radio products and specializes in weather alert
accessories for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals including wireless transmitters/
receivers, pillow vibrators and strobe lights.
Morse Code and Phonetic Alphabet UF Bands, VHF, UHF Bands for Shortwave Radio
A S A - Alpha
B - Bravo
B T C - Charlie
C U D - Delta
D V E - Echo
F - Foxtrot
E W G - Golf
F X H - Hotel
I - India
G Y J - Juliet
H Z K - Kilo
I L - Lima
M - Mike
J 1 N - November
K 2 O - Oscar
P - Papa
L 3 Q - Quebec
M 4 R - Romeo
N 5 S - Sierra
T - Tango
O 6 U - Uniform
P 7 V - Victor
W - Whiskey
Q 8
X - X-ray
R 9 Y - Yankee
10 Z - Zulu
NOAA Emergency Radio Stations

Hobo Symbols
Flag Semaphore
EM
READY NEW YORK EMERGENCY REFERENCE CARD
Name:
1 2 3 4
Date of Birth:
Work/School/Other Number:
Mobile Number:
Work/School/Other Address:
31
158 /// The Upper Manhattan Project
NEW YORKCAR
Emergency Reference Card
Doctor’s Name:
REFERENCE
Doctor’s Phone Number:
Prescriptions:
Allergies/Special Medical Needs:
Insurance Carrier/Policy Number:
Name:
Date of Birth:
Mobile Number:
Doctor’s Name:
Prescriptions:
READY
READY NEW YORK EMERGENCY REFERENCE CARD
Name:
2
1 2 3 4
Date of Birth:
Mobile Number:
1
Doctor’s Name:
Prescriptions:

Name:
Date of Birth:
Mobile Number:
Doctor’s Name:
Prescriptions:
READY NEW YORK EMERGENCY

Section 4E: Emergency Communications \\\ 159
160 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 4F: Weather Forecasting \\\ 161
4F. Weather Forecasting Stare at the moon. Look to see how visible
the moon is. If the moon is easy to see
If you're near the ocean, look for ocean in a clear sky, then it could mean that the
Reading Nature weather is cooling. If the moon is visible,
swells. These swells can be caused by
winds that are blowing a storm system look for a wide halo that spreads out from
Detect the direction of the wind. Wind the moon. A halo suggests coming rain.
from out over the sea. This could mean
is caused when air moves from a high Remember the old saying, “Ring around
that rain is on the way.
pressure area to a low pressure area. the moon? Rain real soon.” A ring around
Since weather moves in from the west, the moon means a warm front is coming,
Look at the shape of the clouds. In
westerly winds indicate good weather which usually brings rain. The ring is
general, clouds that are white and high
because they suggest the bad weather caused by ice crystals that are passing
indicate good weather, and clouds that
is already to your east. Easterly winds over the moon. A double halo around the
are dark and low mean rain or storms are
suggest that the bad weather is coming moon could signal strong winds in the
on the way. White, wispy clouds usually
toward you. coming storm.
mean that the weather will be clear. Flat
clouds mean that the air is stable, while
Watch smoke from a fire. The air pressure Look for high ant mounds. Before a storm,
fluffy clouds mean that it is unstable.
determines what direction the smoke will ants will build up their mounds and create
Smaller puffy clouds may look calm, but
go. In high pressure, the smoke will go steep sides. If you see raised ant beds,
they often build over the course of the day.
directly up into the air. If the pressure is especially if they were lower before, then
If you see these clouds, it could mean a
low, it will spiral back down around the there may be a storm coming.
storm is brewing.
fire. If you see the smoke spiraling back
down, bad weather is likely on the way. Watch for low-flying or roosting birds.
Observe the position of the clouds. Clouds
When smoke spirals downwards, it means When the air pressure falls before a
that look high usually mean that they are
that bad weather is very close. The low storm, birds feel discomfort in their ears.
farther away but could become a weather
pressure system is already in place over This causes them to fly lower toward the
threat up to six hours later. Lower clouds
your area. ground or to perch on lower tree branches
mean that bad weather is closer. As the
weather threat approaches, you will see or power lines. You may also observe
Watch for calm conditions. Before a storm, the birds eating ground insects. This
the clouds move lower in the sky. Black
the low pressure system can push out the behavior suggests that a storm is coming.
clouds mean that there is a coming storm
area’s normal wind patterns. This creates If the birds are flying high in the sky, then
that does not have strong winds. Brown
a temporary calm before the storm begins. there will likely be fair weather. Birds also
clouds mean that there is a coming storm
You’ll notice a lack of wind, which creates become quiet before a storm. Singing and
that does have strong winds. White clouds
a stillness over the area. If you're near chirping birds could indicate good weather.
usually mean good weather, though a
water, it will be calm and still, as well. This Look for bird migrations. Birds can sense
storm could be on its way later in the day.
calm indicates a coming storm. air pressure and will time their migrations
Check for a red sky in the morning. to good weather. If you see flocks of birds
Check for humidity. High humidity often migrating in the sky, then the weather will
Weather moves from west to east, while
precedes a storm, so watch for signs of likely be good that day.
the sun rises in the east and sets in the
high humidity, such as frizzy hair, curling
west. If you see a red sky in the morning, Watch turtles if they are nearby. Turtles
leaves, and swollen wood. These signs Look for snakes. Snakes will leave their
then it means that there is clear weather will seek higher ground before a storm,
can tell you that a storm is on the way. nests before bad weather, even if it’s in
in the east where the sun is rising, but so look for movement to higher locations.
Pine cones can also tell you if it’s humid the middle of winter time. Seeing snakes
bad weather in the west, making the sky You may see them in the road one to two
because they will stay closed if the in unexpected places or at time when the
look red. The bad weather from the west days before a rain.
humidity is high but will open if the air is snake would normally be in its nest can be
will be moving toward you, as that is how
dry. a sign of bad weather.
weather patterns work.
Weather Symbols
166 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Section 4G: Power Map \\\ 167
4G. Power Map Education/Research Investment / Finance
H I A E G A E B F A DC G A H F
A B C D E F G H I
Energy Emergencies Heat Food and Social Green Governance Housing Waterfronts
Waste Hubs Infrastructure A G H C F
A G A B I F A G H E
C A B I
Community City and State Intermediary
A B F A H F
A BC F G H A B C E D I GH F C I F A G H
C B I D G B
A H A H
A C G I B H A D I
B H I A C B H A D G
Climate Change Coalitions
G A E B E G B A D F A F G A G H
Development/Manufacturing/Workforce
A B D I F A B A D G F A F H A H
H A F I A F H
A B A E G ABG ADG F
F D G D
AD H G F A H
A G D H A D I E G H B G A H C
I DG H A H A D H C
E H G B A D G A C F H I
A C I F A C I F A D G
AG E H A F H A D H C
E D B C E F D Healthcare Housing
A B C I
A C B A C B A E H B E A C H
A C F H
A D F I A D G
E A C B I H
D I C E H A B H G H G
A I
B D E A H B
A BC D I C H B A I
E H G F A D E C G
Notes Notes
Notes Notes
Notes Notes
Notes Notes
176 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Future Technology \\\ 177
Future Technology Molecular Biology

Molecular biology, along with
biochemistry and other genetic
Geoengineering studies, have the ability to protect
Manipulating land and our environment human life and other organisms from
has always been a feature of human increased disease and other predicted
history. Scientists have found evidence health impacts from climate change.
of a sustained and deliberate burning Concerns exist about the equitable
of rain forests as far as 140,000 distribution of gene technology,
years ago. While previous methods such as those that protect crops
of environmental management/ from eradication and humans from
manipulation were practiced sustainably, contagion, and the unknown long-
current methods of climate change term impacts deliberately altering the
related geogengineering (GE) are on a building blocks of life on earth.
much vaster scale and their impacts are
largely unknown. These methods include Autonomous Vehicles
reflecting sunlight from space, adding
huge quantities of lime or iron to oceans, The Intelligent Transportation Society
pumping deep cold nutrient-rich waters of America projects that autonomous
to the surface of oceans and irrigating vehicles could achieve a 2-4%
reduction in oil consumption and
vast swaths of desert to grow trees, all
vehicle greenhouse gas emissions
of which would theoretically deflect heat,
over a 10 year period. Such vehicles
or absorb carbon emissions. According
can also support dangerous aid work.
to one monitoring organization, there are
For example, in New Orleans during a
over 75 active GE projects around the
hurricane buses collect residents who
world. A map can be seen here: https://
can’t otherwise evacuate at designated
map.geoengineeringmonitor.org.
"evacuspots”. A job that autonomous
vehicles could support by running more
Robotics regularly and without putting human
According to some the robotics field is drivers in danger.
at the beginning of a process which will
"transform how we live and work over Artificial Intelligence
the next two decades. The confluence
of robotics, artificial intelligence, social The technological singularity is
network systems and knowledge sharing the hypothesis that the invention
is driving a huge, new revolution." of artificial superintelligence will
Examples of changes we may see are cause a runaway technological
people being able to regain their ability growth, resulting in unpredictable
to walk, such as with the exoskeleton changes to human civilization.
pictured to the right. Concerns include Top image: Ancient practices of land Artificial intelligence will enter
who will have access to advanced management include forest burning for crop a "runaway reaction" of self- Images from top to bottom: 1) Molecular
control, among other things. Middle image: improvement, resulting in a powerful engineering designed to protect human
technology, weaponization, and the
Modern "cloud seeding" geoengineering cells from attack, 2) Autonomous ground
potential for mass unemployment and superintelligence that would surpass vehicle, 3) Autonomous aerial vehicle, 4)
project. Bottom image: Prototype
social alienation due to automation of all human intelligence. Artist depiction of the singularity
exoskeleton that can assist with movement
the workplace.
178 /// The Upper Manhattan Project Credits \\\ 179
The Upper Manhattan Project

All Rights Reserved
2018 AAK Press
Created and published by: Aurash Khawarzad

Research and Design Support: Mateo Fernandez-Muro, Zlatko
Simonovski, Philippe Paul, Cecilia Pineda, and Myles Lenon
Collaborating organizations include: WE ACT for Environmental Justice

staff and members, Kresge Foundation Environment Program, Solar
One, Columbia University, The New School, Buffalo State University,
Fordham Law School, City University of New York, Pratt Institute,
NYS Energy Democracy Alliance, NY Renews, NRDC, Morgan Stanley
Children’s Hospital, Associacion de Mujeres Progresistas, Mount Sinai
Children’s Environmental Health Center, Brotherhood Sister Sol, Center
for Social Inclusion, ALIGN, New Economy Project, WHEELS, Take Back
the Land, Grassroots Global Justice, UHAB, Peoples Climate Movement
NY, Corbin Hill Food Project, Red Hook Initiative, NYC Community
Land Initiative, Picture the Homeless, NASA, Community Voices Heard,
Mayday Space, The Point CDC, Fifth Avenue Committee, American
Institute of Architects - NY Chapter, 32BJ, Manhattan Community Boards
9, 10, 11, and 12, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office
of Emergency Management, Department of City Planning, Mayor’s Office
of Recovery and Resiliency, Department of Environmental Protection, NY
State Energy and Research Development Agency, and many others.
$18.00
W W W. A A K P R E S S . C O M

The Upper Manhatta (N) Project

Încărcat de

Informații document

Titlu original

Drepturi de autor

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

The Upper Manhatta (N) Project

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

BACK THE

UP PER M A N H AT TA N PRO J ECT

A Upper Manhattan Map C Sea Level Rise

2. Climate Change and Social Inequality 17

A Demographics E Indigenous Peoples Rights

3. Upper Manhattan Projects 29

A Energy F Green Infrastructure

The Upper Manhattan Project

The concepts in this manual are

A. Upper Manhattan Map

Critical infrastructure such as Washington Heights

Many communities with

Flood Hazard Lines

m 1500 600 0 1500 3000 4500 6000 ft Evacuation Centers

B. Impacts of Climate Change

In 2016 the greenhouse gases: 405

2016 was the hottest year on record -

the earth could warm 6 degrees

Heat waves will triple by 2080

Himalayan glaciers could disappear by 2035 $480m Rockaway

Arctic sea ice has declined by 10% in the

Climate change threatens more than one

C. Sea Level Rise

Sea levels were 18

In 2016 five states

The New York City Panel on stable employment, among other

2. Climate Change and

Population Growth by 2040 Black African American

Race and ethnicity The number

B. Economic Inequality Average Income

Washington $14,000 - $20,000

Living wage in NYC Federal Poverty Level

The median family income in East

C. Gentrification Rent Burden

Average Rent increase from 2000-2012 30% - 33%

Rents in East To afford a rent of

Climate change dramatically making some groups extremely

D. Climate Justice Residents

E. Indigenous Peoples Rights Wampums

Wampum is a traditional shell bead used by the northeastern indigenous peoples as

F. Gender and Climate Change Equity in Decision-making

G. Differing Abilities Language and Communications

3. The Upper Manhattan

D Food and Waste

Over the next several decades,

Energy Democracy Rooftop Shade

Average cost of Electricity in 2016 26 Sun

Washington National Avg New York Hawaii Shade

66% of NYC’s buildings can support solar

​ ow-income New Yorkers pay up to

5 solar installers were operating in NYC

City and State Policy

​ YC 80 x 50: New York City plan to

​ olar is one of the most abundant,

HDFC Coop *University

Microgrids should include a Areas with a large number

Energy democracy Sustainable Interiors

Building Materials Passive Solar

Combined Heat and Power Terraforming

Case Study: Coop Power

Co-Op Power is a consortium of According to the International

To be prepared for emergencies,

Emergency Evacuations Emergency Evacuations

One report stated that:

Evacuation Procedures Become an Evacuation Center

Community Emergency Preparedness Systems Communications

ow-income New Yorkers pay up to

YC 80 x 50: New York City plan to

olar is one of the most abundant,

he climate change era requires

he NY City Council website

eginning in 2014, a political