The East River Blueway
The East River Blueway Plan, led by WXY architecture + planning, provides a new vision for Manhattan’s East River waterfront from the Brooklyn Bridge to 38th Street. It addresses issues that were overlooked for the last half century, including waterfront access from the land and water, environmental goals, climate change adaptation and storm resiliency for the waterfront and adjacent neighborhoods.
Completed shortly before Hurricane Sandy, the planning process offered innovations such as structures for storm water capture, saltwater marshes for wave attenuation and water quality, bridges supporting movement along the waterfront, and water recreation including boat launches, pools and fishing.
The East River Blueway Plan is a community-based waterfront initiative that establishes a planning and urban design framework for Manhattan’s East River waterfront, from the Brooklyn Bridge to East 38th Street. The Blueway plan provides a vision for an accessible waterfront and aims to protect critical infrastructure, attenuate storm surges and help manage stormwater issues.
The plan focuses on supporting habitat restoration to enhance biodiversity and improve water quality. It also proposes green infrastructure, such as bioswales and other stormwater management devices to prevent river contamination. To increase opportunities for activity along the waterfront, the plan recommends creating a continuous and connected esplanade along the waterfront, and providing better access points to the esplanade. Pedestrian and bicycle routes along the waterfront would also help decrease emissions from vehicular traffic. The East River Blueway Plan will be the foundation for an interconnected network of waterfront sites. This network will integrate recreational activities and connect neighborhoods to the waterfront.
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Materials provided by WXY architecture + planning