
Image from the stormwater flood map depicting effects in an extreme flooding scenario of combined rising sea levels and severe rainfall. Image Credit: NYC Mayor’s Office of Resiliency
Climate change is projected to have a dramatic effect on rainfall in New York City through 2100; the new plan provides projections for being prepared for these changes. On May 14, 2021, Mayor de Blasio released New York City’s Stormwater Resiliency Plan. The plan provides the City’s first city-wide flood analysis caused by rain which can cause flooding in any part of the city. (more…)

Why did ULURP remain suspended when so many City agencies and public bodies took to virtual operations? On March 16, 2020, the Department of City Planning announced that, pursuant to an executive order from Mayor Bill de Blasio, the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure and all relevant public hearings and votes were suspended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the suspension, Community Boards, Borough Presidents, and the City Council have virtually convened to tend to other matters but have not addressed any new or pending ULURP applications. Meanwhile, City Planning has accepted filings, but has yet to certify any new applications until the suspension is lifted. To read CityLand’s initial coverage of the ULURP suspension, click here.
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In August 2018, City Planning’s Chair Marisa Lago appointed Anita Laremont as the new Executive Director of the Planning Department. Laremont joined the Department as General Counsel in 2014 and has served New York City and State in public positions for over 35 years. (more…)

Children play on the new equipment at Monsignor Kett Playground. Image Credit: Parks.
On July 26, 2023, Parks Department Commissioner Sue Donoghue, NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Assembly Member Manny De Los Santos, Council Member Carmen De La Rosa, and Community Board 12 joined community members to cut the ribbon on the renovated Monsignor Kett Playground in Inwood, Manhattan. The project—which required $9.5 million in funding from the Mayor’s Office—is the largest reinvestment the City has made in this open space. (more…)

The interactive storm water flood map can show New Yorkers what areas are susceptible to flooding during severe rainfall. Image credit: NYC OpenData.
On July 7, 2022, NYC Mayor Eric Adams, along with New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala, and New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol, released the Rainfall Ready NYC action plan. This plan was designed to prepare the City’s government and residents for future extreme rainfall, given current climate changes. (more…)