Manhattan Island extension could provide homes for 250k people
a day ago
- #housing crisis
- #urban development
- #climate resilience
- Jason Barr proposes adding 1,760 acres of reclaimed land, named New Mannahatta, to Manhattan to provide housing and combat climate change.
- The extension would include Governors Island, protect against rising sea levels, and feature wetlands to absorb storm surges.
- New Mannahatta could provide 180,000 new homes, housing approximately 247,000 people.
- The project aims to address two major crises: climate change resilience and housing affordability in New York City.
- Barr argues that large-scale initiatives are necessary, as small steps have proven inadequate against issues like Superstorm Sandy and rising housing prices.
- The proposal is financially feasible due to the high value of real estate in New York, with construction costs offset by housing sales.
- Manhattan has a history of land expansion, with Lower Manhattan expanded by nearly 50% since the 17th century.
- New York government has been exploring climate resilience projects, including a multi-billion dollar plan to redesign Lower Manhattan's shoreline.