MoMA Rising Currents Exhibition: A New Urban Ground

The incremental rise in the world’s sea level and increased frequency of stronger storms caused by climate change put low-lying coastal areas at risk from inundation and flooding. Taking into account rapid polar ice cap melt, scientists predict a six foot sea level rise by the year 2100. This projection would inundate 21% of Lower Manhattan at high tide as the water passes over the existing sea wall. The need to address this urgent challenge is the focus of Rising Currents.

dlandstudio and ARO’s holistic proposal unites harbor ecologies and urban infrastructure to create a flexible and adaptive future for Lower Manhattan to manage sea level rise, flooding, and surface water runoff. By aligning the advantages of naturally-occurring and engineered systems, this new urban paradigm transforms the city in both performance and experience. Over time, currents, tides, and storms cause an evolution of the morphology of the coastline and the local flora and fauna that it supports. Climate change and increasing population are now challenging us to be an active part of this morphology as well. A rich varying ecological succession is set in motion for generations of New Yorkers to experience. In essence, Manhattan will re-invent itself yet again by developing in tandem with natural systems.

dlandstudio and ARO are currently meeting with city and private agencies such as the New York City Department of City Planning and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation to develop a feasibility study to implement the project strategies.

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.