2021 Theses Master's

Envision Spring Creek: Resilience Assessment and Recommendations for Addressing Layered Risks

Yin, Angel

New York City and many other cities around the world are experiencing increasing risks to climate change and its related climate problems. Hurricane Sandy exposed the vulnerability of NYC’s communities with devastating consequences, in which many of them are will come back in the future. Meanwhile, affordable housing as an important component for both the community and city, need to respond to various urban needs and the increasing risks of climate change. As the city looks to be a global leader in fighting against climate change while strive to provide affordable housings to more New Yorkers, it is imperative that city agencies work with communities to plan for a resilient and affordable future.

Spring Creek is a waterfront neighborhood in the East New York portion of Brooklyn in New York City, within Brooklyn Community District 5. It is named after Spring Creek, a creek that runs through the area and goes into the Jamaica Bay. Like many other communities in New York City, Spring Creek experienced various kinds of climate and environmental hazards in the last few decades. For example, Industrial activities and lack of tree canopies worsen the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect and outdoor air pollution. However, similar to all out-lying communities in NYC, Spring Creek is physically isolated from most central city resources. This physical isolation exacerbates resident’s ability to cope with climate hazards if happening, as well as highlights the challenge of limited access to resilient and affordable services and amenities such as housing and healthcare.

Partnering with HPD, this capstone project conducted a comprehensive analysis on the level of resilience of an identified study area in the neighborhood of Spring Creek, Brooklyn. By conducting an initial study and an indicator-based resiliency assessment, the project identifies existing risks and hazards prone to the neighborhood, and provides a concept plan with recommended mitigation measures that would help increase the level of resiliency. The purpose of this project is to help HPD envision a livable, sustainable, and affordable future for Spring Creek.