NEWS

We’re thrilled and honored to receive an ASLA Award! The New York chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects gave Quennell Rothschild & Partners, which includes eDesign Dynamics, an Honor Award in the “General Design – Small Firm” category for Ferry Point Park East Waterfront (pictured). Here are the jury comments on our project:

“Ferry Point Park East Waterfront designed by Quennell Rothschild & Partners demonstrates how landscape architects are leading the way on coastal resiliency and natural solutions to transform urban edges. Focused on habitat creation, the primary goal was restoring wetlands and native maritime grasslands to this brownfield site, previously a garbage dump. The site provides sweeping vistas of the waterfront, the city, and the Whitestone and Throggs Neck bridges. The project not only improves waterfront resiliency but provides an educational and health amenity to a low‐income neighborhood that had suffered decades of pollution from illegal dumping. Landscape Architectural design services were contracted by the New York City Parks Department through their Design Excellence Program.”

The Ferry Point project will be exhibited all this month through April 30th at the Center for Architecture in New York City: centerforarchitecture.org

Read more about all the winners here>

The New York City Panel on Climate Change (NPCC) is a 20-member independent advisory body that synthesizes scientific information on climate change and advises NYC policymakers on local resiliency and adaptation strategies to protect against rising temperatures, increased flooding, and other hazards. eDesignDynamics’ president and founder, Dr. Franco Montalto, is proud to serve on the NPCC, which informs the City’s ongoing efforts to ensure that New York City is prepared to withstand and emerge stronger from the threat of climate change. This includes coastal protections in all five boroughs as well as programs to increase social resiliency, strengthen small businesses, and harden critical infrastructure.

Visit the NPCC page which lists Members and Recent Reports>

After a yearlong design and engagement process with the City of Hudson, the NYSDEC/Hudson River Estuary program, and The Hudson Valley Collaborative (HVC) consultant team (Assemblage, youarethecity, and eDesign Dynamics), Assemblage shared a final climate-adaptive design report for Henry Hudson Riverfront Park. We’re honored to have been a part of it. 

Read the Report here>

eDesign Dynamic’s Franco Montalto went on the hour-long environmental radio show “Planet Philadelphia” to discuss flooding and climate change, both locally and globally. 

Listen to the full show here>

EDD’s ecological restoration design at River Ring, a pair of apartment high-rises on the Brooklyn waterfront, was featured in the New York Times. EDD’s designs will include tidal pools and salt marshes that provide black-crowned night herons and snowy egrets a place to forage.

Read the NY Times article >

Read more about our River Street Ecological Restoration >

In recognition of Black History Month and Women’s History Month, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that a new state park planned for more than 500 acres of former industrial property along the Hudson River shoreline in the City of Kingston and Town of Ulster will be named for 19th century African American abolitionist and suffragist Sojourner Truth who started her life in Ulster County.

Read 2020 press release >

Announcement from NY Governor Hochul >

Scenic Hudson website about the park >

In this peer-reviewed article which explores the many disciplinary definitions, goals, and forms of “green infrastructure,” Franco Montalto makes the top 10 of prominent authors in the field.

Read the full journal article> 

The U.S. Global Change Research Program welcomed Drexel Professor and EDD Founder and President Dr. Franco Montalto, P.E. to serve as an author for the Northeast chapter of the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5). Attached is his official appointment letter welcoming him to the NCA5 team.