Waterfront Alliance And Harbor School: A Splashy Success In Collaboration

The Waterfront Alliance, alongside the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and other partners.

Had the privilege this June to witness a thorough presentation from a cohort of seniors at the New York Harbor School Marine Affairs and Policy Program. This capstone project was the result of an immersive semester-long effort in which the students first attained WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) Associate credentials, then proceeded to evaluate the existing blueprint for the FiDi and Seaport Climate Resilience Plan. 

The New York Harbor School incorporates its students’ relationships with water into every aspect of its curriculum. That unique approach to learning renders it an ideal training ground in which to incorporate WEDG, a national rating system and set of guidelines that establishes elite standards for creating resilient, ecological, and accessible waterfront design.  

“… the first to feature an intensive local development aspect.”

This marked the second collaboration between the Harbor School and Waterfront Alliance (a group of seniors earned the WEDG Associate credential last year), and the first to feature an intensive local development aspect.  

The $7 billion FiDi and Seaport Climate Resilience Plan aims to fortify an area of Lower Manhattan that was devastated during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, by – among many other improvements – raising the shoreline, building new stormwater infrastructure, and strengthening ferry terminals. The plan also promises to create new public spaces dedicated to education and entertainment.  

After receiving an in-depth primer from the NYCEDC, the Harbor School students were tasked with analyzing the Resilience Plan through a WEDG lens, evaluating the effectiveness of its resiliency, sustainability, ecological and community engagement aspects in effort to assess whether they would improve both waterfront access and economic development.  

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“Our latest collaboration with Waterfront Alliance offered students relevant, meaningful, and applicable knowledge of the emerging environmental issues of our time,” said Robert Markuske, a marine policy teacher who leads the Marine Affairs program at Harbor School. “It was a combined educational exercise, career exploration, and real-life application of the skills obtained via the WEDG course.” 

The students were optimistic about the potential of the Resilience Plan. Several cited positively the plan’s commitment to not just preserving existing vegetation, but to actively building trails emphasizing natural marine elements. Others touted the accessibility aspects of the plan, which include bike lanes, ramps and sidewalls interspersed throughout the seaport.  

There were areas where the students found room for improvement, however, based on the rigorous WEDG guidelines. Students suggested that the project incorporate additional nature-based shoreline components, clearly demarcated access to shade, hanging or floating habitats, and the prohibition of chemicals that might leach into the waterbody. (While each of these areas would be critical to the success of the project, it is not uncommon for elements like these to not be fully determined during the master plan stage).  

Students also advised that stakeholders meet with local residents, educators, and elected officials to evaluate any potential deficiencies.  

“It’s rare for anyone under 18 to not just discuss but to propose actual solutions to complex issues facing our coastlines,” said Markuske. “It’s very rewarding to see young people capable of engaging with material normally reserved for seasoned professionals.”

“… teach students best practices …” 

The overarching aim of this collaboration between Harbor School and Waterfront Alliance was to teach students best practices when working in waterfront development and instill in them a drive to pursue careers in climate resilience and waterfront planning. All involved look forward to ushering in a new class of WEDG-certified seniors in 2025. 

“As the inherent recipient of the world we’ve created, it’s beautiful to see this next generation speak eloquently about how they will better that world,” Markuske concludes. 

Photo credit: Waterfront Alliance.