"Post-Sandy: The Effect on the URBAN" Symposium and Workshop

After Superstorm Sandy, it is more apparent than ever before: we are building back for a disaster-prone future. We must adapt our building habits to reflect this future, as rebuilding to existing standards is no longer sufficient. Leaders from AIANY, AIANJ, and AIACT worked together as part of the AIA Regional Recovery Working Group to organize a full-day symposium and workshop to discuss and develop strategies to enable the rapid and smart recovery needed in the region.

On 07.09.13, Post-Sandy: The Effect on the URBAN Symposium and Workshop, hosted by the New Jersey Institute of Technology, addressed pressing issues in Newark, Hoboken, and Jersey City. The program drew interdisciplinary professionals from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to highlight efforts across the region. The day acted as a forum to share local design and policy initiatives, applied strategies and efforts, and lessons learned; to ignite conversation; and to find creative, practical, and far-reaching recovery solutions that communities can implement in their current planning processes.

The morning session featured a total of 23 speakers, including representation from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), New Jersey Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness, and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Codes & Standards. Speakers provided information ranging from best practices in resiliency, sustainability, health, safety, and welfare, to organizational response.  Jill Lerner, FAIA, AIANY 2013 President; Lance Jay Brown, FAIA, DPACSA, AIANY 2013 Vice President, Co-chair AIANY Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee; and Illya Azaroff, AIA, Co-chair AIANY Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee presented on behalf of the AIA New York Chapter.

The afternoon session divided participants into three workshops covering Newark, Hoboken, and Jersey City to discuss existing conditions, additional best practices, and possible solutions in the three main areas of transportation, infrastructure, and housing.

The outcomes of the workshops will be published. Please stay tuned for additional upcoming regional programming.