When Hurricane Sandy cut across the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, it left death and destruction from Puerto Rico to Canada. Lessons learned from the storm carry implications for coastal cities everywhere. AECOM professionals share insights from a dozen of the many perspectives needed to build urban resiliency.

1. 12 LESSONS
FROM SANDY
1
Image credit: istockphoto

2. What Did We Learn
from Sandy?
When Hurricane Sandy cut across the
Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, it left death
and destruction from Puerto Rico to Canada.
Lessons learned from the storm carry
implications for coastal cities everywhere.
AECOM professionals share insights from a
dozen of the many perspectives needed to build
urban resiliency.
2
Image credit: istockphoto

3. LESSON 1:
TURN PLANS INTO ACTION
3
Image credit: istockphoto

4. Sandy was an eye opener.
In a very real way, the storm demonstrated
the devastating effects that coastal storms
will have on our shoreline in the future.
As a result, what were discussions on
climate change and adaptation have turned
into plans for action.
Andrew Cairns,
US Northeast Ports and
Marine Lead at AECOM
4
Image credit: istockphoto

5. Sandy was an eye opener.
In a very real way, the storm demonstrated
the devastating effects that coastal storms
will have on our shoreline in the future.
As a result, what were discussions on
climate change and adaptation have turned
into plans for action.
Action:
Develop coastal protection plans that account for
sea level rise and increased storm intensity.
Andrew Cairns,
US Northeast Ports and
Marine Lead at AECOM
5
Image credit: istockphoto

6. LESSON 2:
THERE’S A NEW REALITY
6
Image credit: istockphoto

7. Sandy points to new realities
we’re likely to face every day.
More frequent storms lead to standing water,
wet conditions, mold growth and disease;
changes in the zones of flora and fauna bring
new stressors —the progression of climate
change and increased climate variability will
have far reaching consequences on daily life,
which requires public participation in climate
change planning.
Diane Dale, director of AECOM sustainable planning, has
guided a cross-jurisdictional effort to develop the Cleaner
Greener Long Island Regional Sustainability Plan.
7
Image credit: istockphoto

8. Sandy points to new realities
we’re likely to face every day.
More frequent storms lead to standing water,
wet conditions, mold growth and disease;
changes in the zones of flora and fauna bring
new stressors —the progression of climate
change and increased climate variability will
have far reaching consequences on daily life,
which requires public participation in climate
change planning.
Action:
Adopt a comprehensive, integrated planning
approach that engages the public.
Diane Dale, director of AECOM sustainable planning, has
guided a cross-jurisdictional effort to develop the Cleaner
Greener Long Island Regional Sustainability Plan.
8
Image credit: istockphoto

9. LESSON 3:
ACCOUNT FOR HUMAN BEHAVIOR
9
Image credit: istockphoto

10. With Sandy, people knew that
there were few structural
protection measures so most
followed authorities’
evacuation orders.
Design standards for structural solutions
must take into account human behavior —
people expect flood protection measures
to protect them—and the fact is we cannot
design and build flood protection that has
no chance of being exceeded.
Scott Edelman, an AECOM senior vice president, worked on
the first comprehensive climate study for FEMA, and recently
spoke at the UN on flood mitigation in developing nations.
10
Image credit: istockphoto

11. With Sandy, people knew that
there were few structural
protection measures so most
followed authorities’
evacuation orders.
Design standards for structural solutions
must take into account human behavior —
people expect flood protection measures
to protect them—and the fact is we cannot
design and build flood protection that has
no chance of being exceeded.
Action:
Establish regional evacuation protocols and emergency
procedures — and make sure people know what they are.
Scott Edelman, an AECOM senior vice president, worked on
the first comprehensive climate study for FEMA, and recently
spoke at the UN on flood mitigation in developing nations.
11
Image credit: istockphoto

12. LESSON 4:
WORK WITH NATURE
12
Image credit: istockphoto

13. We cannot defeat nature
through engineering…
…but have to work with nature’s built-in
resiliency to protect people and assets in
highly vulnerable coastal areas.
We must think creatively about
constructed natural systems that
enhance flood management, protect
against storm surge, adapt to rising
sea levels, improve air quality, and
reduce urban heat islands—both for
mitigation and adaptation.
Jeff Goldman, principal with AECOM, worked on a
FEMA program to integrate recovery planning with
disaster response.
13
Image credit: istockphoto

14. We cannot defeat nature
through engineering…
…but have to work with nature’s built-in
resiliency to protect people and assets in
highly vulnerable coastal areas.
We must think creatively about
constructed natural systems that
enhance flood management, protect
against storm surge, adapt to rising
sea levels, improve air quality, and
reduce urban heat islands—both for
mitigation and adaptation.
Action:
Maximize green and multi-purpose infrastructure
options to enhance resiliency.
Jeff Goldman, principal with AECOM, worked on a
FEMA program to integrate recovery planning with
disaster response.
14
Image credit: istockphoto

15. LESSON 5:
PROTECT THE CORE
15
Image credit: istockphoto

16. Vital infrastructure took a
severe blow with Sandy.
Cities need to ensure that critical elements
of the electric, water, sewer and
transportation grids are strengthened so
people can get basic services, and return to
normal life as quickly as possible. Over the
coming decades, sustainable design and
building codes will be phased in, but the
focus over the next few years is to make the
core strong and resilient enough to handle
blows better.
Kevin Corbett, a vice president with AECOM in
New York City, has worked closely with state, city
and government agencies across a range of interrelated capacities.
16
Image credit: istockphoto

17. Vital infrastructure took a
severe blow with Sandy.
Cities need to ensure that critical elements
of the electric, water, sewer and
transportation grids are strengthened so
people can get basic services, and return to
normal life as quickly as possible. Over the
coming decades, sustainable design and
building codes will be phased in, but the
focus over the next few years is to make the
core strong and resilient enough to handle
blows better.
Action:
Conduct vulnerability assessment for essential services
and infrastructure, including transportation, energy, water
and wastewater.
Kevin Corbett, a vice president with AECOM in
New York City, has worked closely with state, city
and government agencies across a range of interrelated capacities.
17
Image credit: istockphoto

18. LESSON 6:
PREPARE TO RESPOND
18
Image credit: istockphoto

19. Nature has a way of
overruling our plans.
As much as we strengthen protections for
major storms, nature will act in ways we can’t
always predict. That heightens the need for
pre-emergency preparation to secure assets
and infrastructure for system redundancy and
a coordinated post-emergency response
involving key transportation operators and
government agencies.
Atma Sookram, AECOM associate vice president of
transportation planning, has worked extensively with
New York City agencies.
19
Image credit: istockphoto

20. Nature has a way of
overruling our plans.
As much as we strengthen protections for
major storms, nature will act in ways we can’t
always predict. That heightens the need for
pre-emergency preparation to secure assets
and infrastructure for system redundancy and
a coordinated post-emergency response
involving key transportation operators and
government agencies.
Action:
Coordinate interagency regional transportation
plans with multiple modes and redundancy.
Atma Sookram, AECOM associate vice president of
transportation planning, has worked extensively with
New York City agencies.
20
Image credit: istockphoto

21. LESSON 7:
WORK TOGETHER
21
Image credit: istockphoto

22. Climate change impacts
don’t follow jurisdictional
boundaries.
Sandy reinforced the reality that
cooperation and integrated thinking
across municipalities and regional
agencies is essential in planning for
adaptation and resiliency strategies.
Claire Bonham-Carter, AECOM director of sustainable
development, is working on climate focused vulnerability
and risk assessments for multiple agencies.
22
Image credit: istockphoto

23. Climate change impacts
don’t follow jurisdictional
boundaries.
Sandy reinforced the reality that
cooperation and integrated thinking
across municipalities and regional
agencies is essential in planning for
adaptation and resiliency strategies.
Action:
Initiate regional, cross-jurisdictional planning
mechanisms and processes.
Claire Bonham-Carter, AECOM director of sustainable
development, is working on climate focused vulnerability
and risk assessments for multiple agencies.
23
Image credit: istockphoto

24. LESSON 8:
KEEP THE POWER ON
24
Image credit: istockphoto

25. Continuity of power can mean
the difference between a
storm and a disaster.
High-voltage transmission and distribution
systems need storm hardening measures—
elevating equipment, building storm walls,
development of mitigation procedures—to
prevent and minimize outages.
Steve Martocello, PE, AECOM sr. vice president
of energy and power, is guiding the Northeast
Grid Reliability Program which includes storm
hardening of selected PSE&G critical facilities.
25
Image credit: istockphoto

26. Continuity of power can mean
the difference between a
storm and a disaster.
High-voltage transmission and distribution
systems need storm hardening measures—
elevating equipment, building storm walls,
development of mitigation procedures—to
prevent and minimize outages.
Action:
Identify vulnerable gas and electric assets and
implement protections.
Steve Martocello, PE, AECOM sr. vice president
of energy and power, is guiding the Northeast
Grid Reliability Program which includes storm
hardening of selected PSE&G critical facilities.
26
Image credit: istockphoto

27. LESSON 9:
DE-RISK THE COASTLINE
27
Image credit: istockphoto

28. As coastal zones around the
world become more urbanized,
people and assets are
increasingly at risk.
Disasters happen. It makes sense to
de-risk the coastline. Quantitative
risk assessment offers potential to
improve development decisionmaking, avoid undue risk to
infrastructure and prevent adverse
impacts on the natural environment.
Dr. Mark Gibbs, AECOM director of
infrastructure and environmental risk
management, is an internationally known
authority on coastal development.
28
Image credit: istockphoto

29. As coastal zones around the
world become more urbanized,
people and assets are
increasingly at risk.
Disasters happen. It makes sense to
de-risk the coastline. Quantitative
risk assessment offers potential to
improve development decisionmaking, avoid undue risk to
infrastructure and prevent adverse
impacts on the natural environment.
Action:
Update coastal planning and development
guidelines to minimize long-term risk.
Dr. Mark Gibbs, AECOM director of
infrastructure and environmental risk
management, is an internationally known
authority on coastal development.
29
Image credit: istockphoto

30. LESSON 10:
SANITATION SAVES LIVES
30
Image credit: istockphoto

31. Evaluate the vulnerability of
wastewater treatment assets.
These assets, which are typically
located adjacent to receiving
waters, play important roles
protecting human health and the
environment and need to be
adapted to and protected against
changes in weather patterns.
Gabriel Giles, AECOM project manager,
has guided award-winning wastewater
treatment plant projects.
31
Image credit: istockphoto

32. Evaluate the vulnerability of
wastewater treatment assets.
These assets, which are typically
located adjacent to receiving
waters, play important roles
protecting human health and the
environment and need to be
adapted to and protected against
changes in weather patterns.
Action:
Develop and implement plans to ensure
protection of essential water distribution
systems, fresh water and sanitation functions.
Gabriel Giles, AECOM project manager,
has guided award-winning wastewater
treatment plant projects.
32
Image credit: istockphoto

33. LESSON 11:
CAPITAL FLEES UNDUE RISK
33
Image credit: istockphoto

34. Regions that identify and
address risks will remain
attractive to investors.
Regions that ignore impacts of climate
change face capital flight, as long-term
investments are jeopardized.
Insurers already consider the consequences
of climate change. Those costs will be
passed onto property owners, ultimately
changing where people invest.
34
Image credit: istockphoto
Alexander Quinn, director of AECOM sustainable
economics, has guided investment and development
projects for cities and private clients throughout
North America.

35. Regions that identify and
address risks will remain
attractive to investors.
Regions that ignore impacts of climate
change face capital flight, as long-term
investments are jeopardized.
Insurers already consider the consequences
of climate change. Those costs will be
passed onto property owners, ultimately
changing where people invest.
Action:
Develop climate action plans to mitigate risk
and protect investment.
35
Image credit: istockphoto
Alexander Quinn, director of AECOM sustainable
economics, has guided investment and development
projects for cities and private clients throughout
North America.

36. LESSON 12:
ADOPT A NEW APPROACH
36
Image credit: istockphoto

37. It’s highly unlikely that there
will be separate funding
available for the adequate
disaster adaptation of our grey
and green infrastructure.
Our challenge is to
incorporate adaptation into
every operational and capital
decision, into the planning,
design and construction of
every project, rather than
treat it as separate from
normal practice.
37
Image credit: istockphoto
Gary Lawrence, chief sustainability officer
for AECOM, is a frequent contributor to
policy discussions at the UN and in major
conferences worldwide.

38. It’s highly unlikely that there
will be separate funding
available for the adequate
disaster adaptation of our grey
and green infrastructure.
Action:
Our challenge is to
incorporate adaptation into
every operational and capital
decision, into the planning,
design and construction of
every project, rather than
treat it as separate from
normal practice.
Add resilience and adaptation measures as
standard protocol for all projects.
38
Image credit: istockphoto
Gary Lawrence, chief sustainability officer
for AECOM, is a frequent contributor to
policy discussions at the UN and in major
conferences worldwide.

39. More information
and related work
Disaster Solutions
FEMA climate change report
Carbon Disclosure Project—2013 global cities report
“Ten ideas that can change the world”
Baltimore climate action plan
Assessing the climate change risk to SF Bay
Garnaut climate change review for Australia
“After Sandy: A ULI report”
(panelist Joe Brown, AECOM chief innovation officer)
Connected Cities blog: Michael Nolan on sea level rise
Environmental Leader: Gary Lawrence on “Finding the Balance
between ‘Green’ and ‘Gray’”
39
Image credit: istockphoto

40. 12 LESSONS
FROM SANDY
40
Image credit: istockphoto