This page provides quick links to projects that have explicitly addressed climate change issues through mitigation or adaptation. In the future we would like this to be a forum for sharing approaches and results from existing landscape architectural projects, which can provide ideas for other practitioners concerned about if or how to address climate change in their work. Our hope is that this may become a database of projects and plans, including sections for student work and sortable by project type.
We are always looking for additional projects to share, and we invite you to submit projects for review. We are looking for projects that explicitly consider either mitigation or adaptation to climate change in their scoping, design, or implementation. To submit a project, please email details about the project to: mikevolk@ufl.edu.
In addition to the projects shown below, practitioners and companies have begun to publish information about climate change adaptation. Some of these include OLIN, SWA Group, and Scape Studio. Others surely are doing so as well, and we would welcome any additional information.
Perez Art Museum Miami, Miami, Florida
The design of the Perez Art Museum Miami by a team led by ArquitechtonicaGEO and Herzog & de Meuron integrates the design of the landscape and building to address local sustainability issues related to climate and water. These include using reclaimed water for irrigation in anticipation of potential water shortages, and pervious paving to maximize onsite infiltration. The design of the building and site address storm surge concerns and future sea level rise, and use passive cooling and ventilation to minimize energy use. Firm project website. Image source: ASLA/Robin Hill
Governors Island, New York, New York
This project by West 8 for Governors Island in New York Harbor addresses resiliency in the face of rising sea levels by elevating the landscape above the flood zone, and using seat walls to protect from wave action during storm events. Firm project website. Image source: West 8
Treasure Island, San Francisco, California
The Treasure Island project in California is transforming a former island military base into a community with extensive open spaces and parks. The project design includes adaptive approaches for sea level rise, including areas for tidal flooding in recreational zones, elevated development, and modified coastal edge designs in areas that require protection. Firm project website. Image source: CMG
Sava Promenade, Belgrade, Serbia
The master plan and design for Belgrade’s Sava River waterfront is intended to revitalize the waterfront, while addressing future resilience to climate change and storms through locally sourced, water resilient materials and the design of floodable areas which are useable when water is at normal levels. Image source: SWA Group
Galveston Island State Park, Galveston, Texas
This redevelopment master plan for Galveston Island State Park incorporates predictive models to anticipate future changes and provide for continued use, while reducing impermeable surfaces, and addressing habitat fragmentation and conservation. Image source: Studio Outside
Public Sediment: Resilient by Design Challenge, San Francisco, California
This project uses sediment management within the San Francisco Bay Area to address subsidence and sea level rise issues, while creating ecological and community infrastructure and educational opportunities regarding climate change, water, and sediment management. Image source: SCAPE
Oyster-tecture, Brooklyn, New York
This project proposed a living reef for the New York Harbor to help address risks from sea level rise and future storms. The proposed reef would clean the water, slow waves, and support marine life. It was included in a 2009 Museum of Modern Art exhibition titled Rising Currents, as part of an initiative to develop adaptation strategies for New York City in the face of climate change and sea level rise. Image source: SCAPE
Hunters Point South Waterfront Park, Queens, New York
This is an 11 acre waterfront park designed to withstand storms and sea level rise in New York City. Wetlands make up the perimeter of the site, which buffers the playground, sport fields, and restaurant also located in the park. This wetland corridor mimics the historic waterfront ecosystem. Image Source: SWA Group
Rotterdam Water Square, Rotterdam, Netherlands
This project works as a recreational park and water storage space. The square contains 3 basins where rainwater is collected. This capture of rain water ensures steady ground water levels, helps reduce urban heat island effects, and supplies the park’s irrigation and water fountains. Image Source: De Urbanisten