Fast Company’s annual World-Changing Ideas Awards honor innovative ways businesses and organizations are addressing the greatest challenges facing our communities and cities.
HOK planning leader and urban designer Bill Kenworthey worked with the New York studio to propose creative design solutions that address New York City’s projected 6-feet or more sea level rise by 2100. Previously featured in Fast Company, the plan was selected as an urban design finalist in the publication’s 2022 World-Changing Ideas Awards .
The plan focuses on equitable, resilient solutions that proactively address the impacts of climate change. More than 20,000 acres of New York City could be underwater in less than 80 years and 280,000 residents, many of whom are underserved and disenfranchised, could be without housing. Critical infrastructure including public transit, healthcare facilities and public green space are also at risk. The proposed solution focuses on increasing density through mixed-use, amenity rich development in vacant or underbuilt spaces in the city protected from sea level rise.
For the third time in the past four years, Fast Company recently honored HOK as one of its Most Innovative Companies.