36 Hours in the Hudson Valley by the NYTimes
14 Apr 2025

#1 Recommendation in the Hudson Valley by the NYTimes

We’re thrilled that the very first recommendation in the New York Times’ recent article “36 Hours in the Hudson Valley” is visiting Sojourner Truth State Park! eDesign Dynamics led the habitat restoration component on this 520-acre Kingston park on the west bank of the Hudson River. For this work, we received an American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Honor Award for Analysis and Planning last year.
 
The Times is right: you should visit!
 
eDD, in cooperation with two partners — the lead designer, The Olin Studio, and Hudsonia — conducted an ecological and hydrological site survey to determine the role that site hydrology and subsurface conditions play in supporting existing habitats. eDD mapped habitats, soil, and surface water observations and prepared a natural resource inventory to inform priority recommendations for habitat preservation and restoration. eDD completed an FQA (Floristic Quality Assessment) for the final master plan which included recommendations for a range of interventions to enhance ecological, recreational, and educational benefits on a local scale while also addressing the site’s larger role in the Hudson River Estuary and negotiating park maintenance, cost, and various site users.
 
The Runway at YZD Design Competition
28 Mar 2025

YZD Design Competition

We at eDesign Dynamics are very excited to have been approached by the landscape architecture firm, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc (mvvainc.com), to join their team for Toronto’s “Runway at YZD” Design Competition (yzd.ca/runwaydesign). The MVVA team is one of just five to be selected for the shortlist and invited to take part in a closed RFP (Request for Proposal) to transform the runway of the former Downsview Airport into a linear, publicly accessible space animated with community uses, public amenities, and year-round cultural programming. The winner will be announced mid-2025.

Learn more about the design competition HERE >

Hoboken, NJ, mayor Ravi S. Bhalla speaking at the second community meeting on Maritime Park Phase I.
26 Jan 2025

Our Work on a “Living Shoreline” in NJ

eDesign Dynamics attended the second community meeting on Maritime Park Phase I this week in Hoboken, NJ. EDD team members Amanda Bayley and Nicholas Parisi spoke with Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla and community members, discussing the benefits of living shorelines, how they better adapt to sea-level rise, and how to successfully integrate ecology-driven designs into public waterfront projects.
 
With landscape architecture firm SCAPE, and engineering team Colliers, EDD is leading the design of one of the first living shorelines on New Jersey’s Hudson shore. The design currently includes a substantial salt marsh and tidal pool complex, resilient shoreline stabilization with a planted riprap edge, and native transitional upland zones.
 
EDD is also leading the design of a temporary learning nursery where herbaceous and woody material will be grown to acclimate to the site’s microclimates, and ultimately be planted in the second phase of the park’s construction.
Rendering of the Manresa Island Project
7 Jan 2025

More Details About Our Manresa Island Project

Rendering here — provided by SCAPE and Bjarke Ingels Group — is of the marsh and waterfront on Manresa Island, currently a brownfield site. A Norwalk, Conn., couple is planning to transform the tract into ecological park for the city.

As mentioned before, EDD is proud to be leading the Natural Resources design for the Manresa Island Masterplan, focusing on preservation, enhancement, and restoration of the saltmarsh, terrestrial forests, and shoreline habitats.

A few more details: EDD performed detailed existing conditions and habitat surveys of the site and organized the restoration and habitat design strategies for the future park, including the creation of a vital Atlantic white cedar swamp in the remnants of a post-industrial landscape. EDD’s design interventions and restoration strategies seek to bolster vital habitats for key regional migratory bird- and intertidal-species while creating opportunities to strengthen community stewardship of essential saltmarsh habitats. These efforts will also provide new partnerships within the scientific community to study methods for habitat resiliency to sea level rise and climate change.

Read the NYT article here>

Rendering of completed proposed community resilience project in Puerto Rico by eDesign Dynamics
6 Dec 2024

eDD Part of Ideas Exchange

We’re thrilled to be included in this Visual Storybook of Community Climate Resilience Design Ideas organized by the EPA Contractor Team comprised of Climate Resilience Consulting, ONE Architecture & Urbanism, and Adaptation International.
 
Different organizations shared community-led projects and project concepts in the hopes of inspiring ideas and action to improve livelihoods and save lives in the face of climate change disruption.
 
The eDD projects we shared included: Culebra, Puerto Rico (min. 3:00), the South Bronx (min. 5:04), and St. Croix USVI (min. 6:00).
 
 
19 Nov 2024

eDD Founder Participates in Rainproofing NYC Project

As a member of Rainproof NYC Working Group #1, eDD’s founder, Franco Montalto, is proud to announce the release of the “Rainproofing New York City: Recommendations from the Working Groups” report, outlining collaborative strategies developed by NYC agency staff and community leaders to address the growing challenges of heavy rainfall.
 
To continue this vital work, @rebuildbydesign is launching the “Rainproof [Your Community’s Name]” grant! This opportunity offers $10,000 to support organizations whose activities align with the recommendations in the report.
 
Together, we can rainproof New York City!
 
 
Rainy city street with the text "eDD's Montalto Named NPCC5 Co-Chair"
11 Nov 2024

eDD’s Founder Appointed Co-Chair to NPCC5

eDD’s Founder, Franco Montalto, was named one of three co-chairs on the esteemed panel of nineteen to help address New York City’s resilience in the face of climate emergencies. The fifth NYC Panel on Climate Change (NPCC5) is an independent advisory body that synthesizes scientific information on climate change and advises city policymakers on local resiliency and adaptation strategies that protect against extreme heat, heavy rain, coastal storm surge, and other climate hazards. Their research and findings will continue to inform the Adams administration’s ongoing efforts to ensure that New York City is prepared for the impacts of climate change.

Read the full Press Release from the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice here>

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