2010 Waterfront Conference -- The Future Waterfront & Funding for the NY-NJ Harbor

To View or Download the Conference Program, Click Here: CONFERENCE PROGRAM

The next 10 years will bring stunning changes to the New York City and New Jersey Waterfront.  Never before have so many opportunities and challenges converged.

There is a new, progressive 10 year plan for our waterfront. There is for the first time a restoration plan for the harbor.  And there is a comprehensive need to generate the resources to implement these visions. 

But change and innovation can only happen if we make plans executing this collective vision. 

The 2010 MWA Waterfront Conference gave powerful insights and best practices from along the East Coast region to illuminate the path, galvanize support, build energy and excitement, and continue the momentum needed to create a world class waterfront and harbor for New York and New Jersey. 

Conference Priorities

We must now embrace three important tasks -- the key themes of the conference:

1)  Put into place the vision of the New York City Comprehensive Waterfront Plan for both New York and New Jersey.

2)  Bring to our region our fair share of regional funds for the harbor for ecological restoration, national parks, commerce, and maritime activity.

3)  Base our waterfront work off of successful fundraising, policy, regulatory, and restoration models and practices from other parts of the country.

Click on Panel Titles Below to View Summaries and Videos

MORNING KEYNOTE AND PLENARY SESSIONS

MORNING PANELS: 11:30am to 12:45pm

• Why is the NY-NJ Harbor Missing the Boat?

Strategies to capture the societal, economic, historic, and educational value of a New York-New Jersey Harbor alive with ships and boats.

• Ecology and Economy – A Workshop

• We have a Plan to Bring Our Harbor Back to Life!

Implementation of the NY-NJ Harbor Comprehensive Restoration Plan

• Future of the Port

• How to Get 2 Million Kids on and in the Water

Models of success for scalable on-the-water education that meets curriculum standards

EARLY AFTERNOON PANELS: 2:30pm to 3:25pm

• Recreation Revolution

The human-powered recreational boating scene is growing. How to design for public access and how to accommodate recreational growth.

• Opportunities for Green Infrastructure in Underserved Neighborhoods

• The Rising Tide from the Bottom Up

Climate resiliency through community organizing, planning, and engagement at the local level and in our neighborhoods

• Everyone Else Gets the Mud Out – Why Can’t We?

Solutions from other parts of the country for dredge materials management

• The Oyster and the Clean Water Act

Is a cleaner harbor possible through oyster restoration? What regulatory constraints and opportunities are there for water quality improvements?

LATE AFTERNOON PANELS: 3:40pm to 4:55pm

• Support for Our Urban National Park

A Fair Share for Our National Park – What can be done to save Gateway?

• Show us the Money

New advocacy and funding mechanisms to bring our share of funds to the harbor.

• Edge Design for the Rising Tide and Aquatic Life

Regulation, design, & barriers to innovation-making visionary waterfront designs real.

• A Green Working Waterfront Works

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs – Air Quality, Water Quality, Job Quality

• Water Mass Transit – A Citywide Plan for our Region