October 18, 2023

New Leadership Structure for Coastal Resilience Fullfills Promise in PlaNYC to Have One Agency Manage Planning, Implementation and Operation of Projects

Rohit T. Aggarwala, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the City’s Chief Climate Officer, announced today the appointment of Laurian Farrell as Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Coastal Resilience for DEP. Farrell, a water resources engineer with a master’s degree in landscape architecture, most recently worked as the Global Director, Knowledge Transformation and Regional Director for North America at the Resilient Cities Network, where she developed a deep understanding of the challenges facing ultra-urban coastal cities around the world. She began her career in Toronto, where she was a senior manager for flood risk management and infrastructure at the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and then served as senior manager for the environment at the City of Brampton in Ontario.

“This is the first of many steps to fulfill our PlaNYC commitment to create a permanent organizational home for coastal resilience at DEP,” said Rohit T. Aggarwala, DEP Commissioner and New York City’s Chief Climate Officer. “After interviewing more than a dozen candidates from an international pool of applicants, it was clear to us that Laurian’s skills and background make her uniquely qualified for this leadership role. We believe this new role will allow for streamlined decision-making and faster capital project delivery.”

When New York City Mayor Eric Adams released PlaNYC: Getting Sustainability Done in April, one of the initiatives in the long-term strategic climate plan was to establish a dedicated bureau within DEP to lead and coordinate the planning, implementation and operation of the city’s coastal resilience infrastructure.

“The creation of this new division lets New Yorkers from all social and economic backgrounds know we are doing more each and every day to protect them from the extreme rain and other flooding events that are becoming more and more intense,” said Elijah Hutchinson, the executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice. “Adapting to future climate risks will not only improve the lives of New Yorkers, especially those who live or work along our city’s waterfront, it will also save lives.”

“As an urban city surrounded by water, New York is increasingly becoming more vulnerable to the effects of climate change,” said Laurian Farrell. “I look forward to working with my new colleagues at DEP, along with the many agencies with oversight or jurisdiction of waterfront sites, to bolster our existing coastal protection projects while also developing new strategies, initiatives and plans aimed at keeping residents safe and improving the quality of life in New York’s waterfront neighborhoods.”

“Laurian brings an incredible mix of experiences in government, engineering, policy and strategic thinking which is the perfect combination to help coastal communities adapt to climate change,” said Amy Chester, Managing Director of Rebuild by Design, “We are excited to get to work.”

“With 520 miles of shoreline whose waterfront communities serve as home to millions of residents, a diversity of jobs, cherished public spaces, and critical infrastructure, ensuring coastal resilience is imperative for New York City,” said Robert Freudenberg, vice president for energy and environment at the Regional Plan Association. “Today’s announcement marking the launch of a new Bureau of Coastal Resilience within the DEP, skillfully headed up by Laurian Farrell, demonstrates the Adams administration’s strong commitment to protecting all New Yorkers from the worsening impacts of climate change, while setting the stage for additional, better, and more comprehensive coastal adaptation projects and programs. RPA looks forward to working with Laurian to achieve these challenging and necessary goals.”

“I congratulate Mayor Eric Adams and DEP Commissioner Rit Aggarwala with New York City’s global leadership on coastal resilience,” said Henk Ovink, former Netherlands’ Water Ambassador. “Positioning the newly created Bureau of Coastal Resilience in the center in New York City’s climate action priorities, and appointing Laurian Farrell to join DEP as its first Deputy Commissioner for Coastal Resilience, are major steps towards a safe, just and resilient New York City, a true inspiration for the world.”