More New Amsterdam: innovative flood protection for New York after superstorm Sandy
"We just can’t rebuild it the way it was. The worst thing to do is to have this experience and not learn from it", says Stephen M. Sweeney, president of the
New Jersey Senate in an article on the website of New York Daily News on November 15th. In the article city architects and officals reflect on the question how to protect New York from another storm of Sandy's magnitude.
New York-based architect Haiko Cornelissen who grew up below sea level in Amsterdam, suggests innovative concepts proven in the Netherlands, like amphibious houses and anti-flood systems around bridges.
Rebuilding in flood-prone areas
Acting fast after Sandy, Cornelissen has set up the website NL4US.com for the organization of volunteering professionals that help to develop Dutch flood-proof housing solutions for the storm-damaged areas in the US. The organization reaches out to combine the knowledge and production capabilities of companies in the US and the Netherlands, including ABC Arkenbouw, consultancy firm Arcadis, construction firm Dura Vermeer,
City architect Haiko Cornelissen: "The ideas are here for New York, but the themes also can help in New Orleans, Florida and the West Coast such as Seattle and San Francisco. This is a platform for solutions."
Amphibious houses
According to Conelissen, an amphibious house acts like any other typical house, except in times of flooding. "When the area floods, the amphibious house floats on the water, held in place by guides, and continues to function thanks to the flexible utilities. The amphibious house is more a new type of construction than a new type of house."
Amazing city views
"Floating communities in Amsterdam activate the waterfront with prime location apartments that have the most amazing views in the city while they remain safe from flooding," Cornelissen continues. He made images of floating houses built in Amsterdam near Battery Park to demonstrate how the concept might work locally.
Recently realized new district Waterbuurt West in Amsterdam with 55 floating houses.
Read the full article on the website of New York Daily News.
Other news items on superstorm Sandy on this website:
● Adoption Dutch-based flood protection would require radical change US safety approach, 18 November 2012
● NRP live radio debate: barricading New York against a rising sea, November 9, 2012
● Aftermath superstorm Sandy: How to reduce flood risk on US and Dutch barrier islands? - November 7, 2012
● Flood experts discuss need for storm surge barriers for coastal cities in aftermath of superstorm Sandy - November 2, 2012
● Dutch based flood protection plan for New York to revive in aftermath of superstorm Sandy - November 1, 2012
● Netherlands, US intensify cooperation on water management, climate resilience and flood preparedness, 5 March 2013
More information
NL4US
www.nl4us.com
info@nl4us.com