ULI Southeast Florida/Caribbean has a long history of working with communities around the region to convene technical assistance panels (TAPs) on thorny development issues, with recommendations grounded in ULI best practices.  This June project was funded by the City of Fort Lauderdale, the ULI Foundation and the Kresge Foundation specifically to address climate resiliency issues related to the built environment and the rising water impacts along the important New River corridor.  Recommendations include general advice on how to better activate the linear ribbon along both sides of the New River, as well as adaptation strategies for the climate changes already occurring and anticipated. Check out the District Council’s latest TAP Report on corridor activation and climate adaptation here.

The impressive panel was chaired by Dr. Charles Bohl of UM’s School of Architecture, and panelists included Muayad Abbas of Urbanis Advisors, Anthony Abbate of FAU, Esteban L. Biondi of ATM, Inc., Marcela Camblor-Cutsaimanis of Marcela Camblor & Assoc., Marta Canaves of FIU,Robert Dugan of EDSA, and Jamie Telchin of Luxury Resorts & Hotels.  The report was presented to the Fort Lauderdale City Commission on August 19^th, and received an enthusiastic reception from both elected officials and staff.

Resiliency has become a major subject of interest for both Fort Lauderdale and ULI.  As mentioned, the Riverwalk TAP focused on climate adaptation along Riverwalk.  A second resiliency-focused TAP, organized to study the Uptown area around the city’s Cypress Creek Road and Andrews Avenue corridors, was held in early August.  How to drive growth to this is more climate resilient area was the main issue for this panel, and its report will be completed in early October.  For more information, call the District Council office at 954-916-7329