Preparing for the Future at the Water’s Edge: Resiliency of Lower Manhattan

Learn from experts what is at risk and what is being done to protect Lower Manhattan from daily tidal flooding and coastal storms.

Panel Description
New York City’s identity as a global capital of finance and culture is rooted in its origins as a seaport. At the epicenter of over 520 miles of waterfront is Lower Manhattan where it started 400 years ago with the arrival of the Dutch. Since then, even the boundary of where land meets the water has changed. Learn from experts what is at risk and what is being done to protect Lower Manhattan from daily tidal flooding and coastal storms, to ensure that all New Yorkers continue to have access to the jobs, subways, and infrastructure that thrive in this central hub. With 19 of 28 subway lines, 512,000 riders per day and 10% of all jobs in NYC, resulting in $74 billion in annual GDP (8% of the City’s total), downtown is indispensable to New York’s future. Discussions will also include how changes at NOAA, FEMA and the insurance sector may impact response and recovery to the next climate event, and its impact on the real estate and financial markets. This event will be followed by walking tour.

Panelists:

• Dr. Alexander Mirescu – Head of Extreme Weather & Resilience Solutions, U.S., at Zurich Commercial Insurance
• Patrick Geelan – North/West Project Director, Battery Park City Authority
• Paula Recart – President, The Battery Conservancy
• Alexis Taylor – Vice President of Climate Resilience, NYC Economic Development Corporation
• Moderator: Raju Mann – President, Battery Park City Authority

Co-Sponsors with BPCA, cultureNOW, and Lower Manhattan Historical Association