The Rebuild By Design – Hudson River (RBDH) Program emerged from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Rebuild by Design Competition, which promoted development of innovative resilience projects in Hurricane Sandy-affected regions. New Jersey’s communities of Jersey City, Hoboken and Weehawken are susceptible to both flash flood and storm surge from events like Superstorm Sandy.

A comprehensive planning and design approach to addressing these challenges that acknowledge the density and complexity of its context, galvanizes diverse stakeholder support, and defends communities from future storm impacts. A multi-layered and comprehensive water management strategy will Resist future storm surge, Delay rainwater runoff, Store excess rainwater, and Discharge water after storm events.

The RBDH Resist proposal was selected as a winner of the Rebuild by Design Competition and HUD awarded the State of New Jersey $230 million for the implementation of the first phase of the Program focused on the planning, design and implementation of the Resist component. Hoboken, Jersey City, and Weehawken are simultaneously developing other projects and programs to provide the Delay, Store, and Discharge components of the overarching resiliency planning concept. Our team was awarded the planning, design and implementation of the RBDH Resist program which currently has multiple components under construction. The Resist Structure alignment, approximately 11,380 linear feet, includes hard improvements for resilient coastal defense (floodwalls and floodgates) integrated with landscape infrastructure elements and public realm improvements.

All components of the RBDH program were planned and designed in conjunction with input from the study area municipalities, Citizen Advisory Groups, community members, and a wide array of stakeholder groups. Community input was a vital component in the planning and design of the Resist Structure and lead to the development of three planned approaches for the program:

• RAILYARD INFRASTRUCTURE: Where possible, the flood risk reduction elements were located within areas that are not publicly accessible and incorporate visual features that celebrate the history of the neighborhood.
• STREETSCAPE INFRASTRUCTURE: Where the alignment is required within the historic neighborhood, it is seamlessly woven into the context providing a multi-purpose alignment with integrated community amenities.
• LANDSCAPE INFRASTRUCTURE: To maintain and increase waterfront access as prioritized by the community, this approach provides unique waterfront spaces and experiences.