Reminder: Event Tonight

Designing the City after Superstorm Sandy: Fundraiser & Discussion

Photo by andjelicaaa via the architect's newspaper

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Klaus Jacob - Geophysicist, Urban Environmental Disaster Expert, Columbia University (SIPA, EI/LDEO)
Rob Rogers, FAIA - Principal, Rogers Marvel Architects
Stephen Cassell, AIA, LEED AP - Principal, Co-Founder, Architecture Research Office (ARO)
Cynthia Barton - Disaster Housing Recovery Plan Manager, NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
Moderator: Michael Kimmelman - Chief Architecture Critic, The New York Times

DETAILS

Thursday, November 15, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM  — RSVP
At the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place [Directions] 

DONATION

Suggested Donation: $10
All contributions will be donated to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City to support Superstorm Sandy relief efforts. The Mayor’s Fund retains no administrative fee, and one hundred percent of donations are being dispersed to relief efforts and organizations. Funds will support immediate aid needs – including, food, water and hygiene supplies – as well as long-term relief and restoration.
RSVP

NYC Construction Work Suspended At Noon Tomorrow Due To Potential Impacts Of Possible Nor'easter

Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri today ordered all exterior work at construction sites in New York City suspended as of noon, Wednesday, November 7 until 7 am, Thursday, November 8, due to a potential Nor’easter that may impact the area, according to the National Weather Service. All previously issued construction permits for exterior work, including crane permits, scaffold and sidewalk shed permits and after-hours variances, are suspended during this time period. This excludes work related to safeguarding construction sites or damage repair work related to the storm. The National Weather Service is forecasting impacts from the Nor'easter will bring potential flooding of coastal areas, rivers and streams, and high winds with gusts up to 60 mph.

In preparation for the stormy weather, the Department of Buildings is reminding all contractors and property owners to secure their construction sites and buildings. If construction sites are not safely secured in preparation for the inclement weather, the Department will take immediate enforcement action with the issuance of violations and Stop Work Orders if necessary.

These winds during the storm may reach higher speeds than forecast depending on the area of New York City. All contractors and property owners must take steps to secure their construction sites and buildings, which includes cranes, suspended and supported scaffolding, hoists and any other building appurtenances that may come loose under heavy winds and rain. Structures that have been subject to deferred maintenance or in delicate condition could be at greater risk. The Department strongly suggests consulting a professional to advise how to safely secure construction sites and buildings.

           

Architects and Engineers Needed for Post-Hurricane Building Evaluations

Dear AIA New York Members:

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, city, state, and federal agencies have formed a Disaster Housing Task Force ("Task Force"). This Task Force has asked architects and engineers to help with the evaluation of damage to the estimated 35,000 buildings affected by the storm. Damage assessment of these buildings is essential for families to return to their homes and for businesses to reopen.

AIA New York and its Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee ("DfRR") are therefore looking for registered architects and professional engineers interested in helping.

There are two ways you can become involved:

(1) If you are already trained or certified for such damage assessment by an approved agency, please send us your name, address, AIA member number, and date of certification, or;

(2) If, in order to help, you wish to receive damage assessment training through the New York City Department of Buildings ("NYC DOB"), please send us your name, address, and AIA member number.

Please send responses to dfrr@aiany.org. In your emails, indicate which way (1 or 2) you are interested in becoming involved.

AIA New York will then submit a list of interested professionals to the Mayor's Office and the NYC DOB to advance this effort.

Interested participants should note that training is the first step to becoming involved. AIA New York and DfRR will be working closely with governing officials and response organizers to address liability issues and identify the agencies for which volunteers will work.

Thank you for your interest and support of recovery efforts,

Lance Jay Brown, FAIA, and Illya Azaroff, AIA
Co-chairs, AIANY Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee

 

Post-Sandy Recovery: Power Failures & Flooding

Hurricane Sandy struck the tri-state area on October 29, 2012, leaving many dead, millions without power and/or water, and countless homes unoccupiable. Fires have been widespread, notably in Breezy Point, Queens, where 80-100 homes have been destroyed by fire during the storm.

Breezy Point, post-storm fires via Atlantic Wire/Photo: Frank Franklin II, AP)

Hurricane Sandy is on its way to being one of the most expensive disasters in history. Costs, expected in the billions, will come in the form of direct recovery expenses, such as the projected $8 million in damages to the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, NJ, as well as costs associated with the disruption to business and services. As of Tuesday morning, the Wall Street Journal reports that all four NYC area airports remain closed. Transit is disrupted throughout New York City and the tri-state area. New York public schools remain closed. The New York Stock Exchange will be closed until Wednesday, the first time since 1888 that the NYSE has closed two days in a row due to weather.

In a press conference appearance, Governor Cuomo said that New York is relatively well prepared for disasters, but that much of our infrastructure was designed without an understanding of  many of the current risks. Some argue that these risks are increasing. In an October 6, 2011 presentation to the DFRR Committee, Klaus Jacob, of Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory & School of International and Public Affairs, predicted that the economic impact of storms to the city may increase dramatically when future storm surges are compounded by climate change-related sea level rise.

The New York Times has extensive coverage of the Hurricane Sandy aftermath, including the spread of power failures in the Northeast:

via the New York Times

Upcoming 2012 Conferences: Disaster Planning, Urban Resilience, Adaptation & Mitigation

This list is a sampling of 2012 upcoming conferences in the fields of design, planning, building, science, government, business, and finance, and their overlapping need for disaster planning, risk analysis, urban resilience, and adaptation and mitigation.

Most are still open to attendees and some are still accepting abstracts. Let's get the DFRR community involved. Click "read more" to see conferences through September 2012.

January 2012

January 17-19, 2012
International Disaster Conference
International Disaster Conference and Expo
New Orleans, Louisiana
Cost and Registration: $200 before November 17, open until filled
This conference presents public- and private-sector best practices in emergency management, homeland security, and disaster preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation. Session topics include business continuity planning, national security, global emergency preparedness, and private sector emergency management resources. Independent training courses in business continuity and emergency management will also be offered.

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January 18-20, 2012
Public Health Law Research Annual Meeting
Public Health Law Research
New Orleans, Louisiana
Cost and Registration: $125, open until filled
This conference will discuss how laws can prevent and mitigate public health issues and ensure a healthier population. Topics include communicable and non-communicable diseases, injury prevention, future public health law research priorities, and the effects of regulation on public health.
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January 22-25, 2012
Seventh Gulf Seismic Forum
Saudi Geological Survey
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Cost and Registration: Free, open until filled
This conference will address earthquake risk in Saudi Arabia where increased infrastructure and development in quake zones are issues. Cooperation in monitoring and mitigation strategies will also be discussed. Topics include seismological data management, earthquake engineering, induced seismicity, volcanic hazards, and seismic zoning.
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January 25, 2012
ULI – Real Estate & Economic Impacts of Sea Level Rise in Connecticut
Urban Land Institute
New Haven, Connecticut
This conference will focus on adaptation and mitigation strategies needed to protect Connecticut's shoreline, economy, property and infrastructure from sea level rise.
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January 31 to February 3, 2012
Connections in the Climate System
Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society
Sydney, Australia
Cost and Registration: $500, open until filled
This conference examines the physical components of climate systems, the evolution of climate systems over time, and the connections between climate change and extreme events. Topics include coastal erosion and storm surge impacts, increased hazard intensity and frequency, and the effects of climate change on renewable resources.