BIG-U Project’s disaster reduction design implementation process and framework

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the implementation process and framework of disaster risk reduction （DRR） design through BIG-U Project’s Rebuild by Design （RBD） competition phase and implementation phase in the City of New York, USA. Background of this research challenges creating a new type of holistic framework towards strategic implementation of DRR design. Research methods include detailed literature review and interviews with RBD organizer, the City of New York Park and Recreation Department, and design consultant BIG to understand the framework of BIG-U’s DRR design. Research results are as follows. We analyzed BIG-U’s framework in strategies and clarified clear DRR strategies sustained and influenced to projects. For organizational structures, government bodies, design team and citizens or stakeholders worked together to realize DRR targets. For project implementation and methods, one BIG-U project divided into ESCR and LMCR in order to implement incrementally in coordination with appropriate parties. Both projects tried to hybridize designing functional spaces to reduce impact of climate change risks and creating social, connecting places at the same time. Further investigation required for clarifying relationship between RBD projects and policies related to DRR as well as detailed analysis on space to achieve DRR design.