This project examines flood vulnerability and infrastructure equity in Gowanus, a low-lying, historically industrial neighborhood in Eastern Brooklyn undergoing major transformation under the Gowanus Rezoning Plan. Once a polluted commercial waterway, the Gowanus Canal is now a federal Superfund site undergoing cleanup. Despite remediation, outdated stormwater infrastructure and climate-related sea level rise continue to drive frequent flooding—particularly during storms and heavy rain.
The rezoning initiative envisions a denser, mixed-use community, but this growth raises concerns about whether current infrastructure can support increased demand. Using 311 street flooding complaints from 2010 to the present, the study maps flood-prone areas, especially along 4th Avenue and near the canal’s northern stretch. Department of Environmental Protection responses vary, highlighting uneven service provision.
A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) framework was used to identify priority areas for green infrastructure (GI) based on proximity to existing GI, flood vulnerability, and reliance on public transit. Results show southern Gowanus—particularly corridors like 3rd Avenue and Hoyt Street—faces high flood risk but lacks adequate GI coverage.
