Sustainable Infrastructure at the New York City Department of Design and Construction

Department of Design and Construction

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Sustainable Infrastructure at DDC

The NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) is working toward integrating sustainability and resiliency in all our infrastructure projects.
DDC designs, constructs, and repairs infrastructure, from rain gardens to roadways, in every neighborhood of New York City. As the City’s primary capital construction project manager, we share the goals of the City of New York to invest in reliable and resilient infrastructure that improves and strengthens communities.

Through conserving resources, respecting the natural world, reducing risks from climate change, and more, we are helping to build a better city for everyone.
We believe sustainable infrastructure improves daily life in our city. Integrating sustainable measures into our design and construction process ensures that these projects will serve the community for decades while enhancing well-being and quality of life. We consider social equity as part of the sustainable framework.

Starlight Park in the Bronx, managed by DDC for NYC Parks, received an Envision Gold Award in 2021. The $41 million, multi-staged project is closing a critical gap in the Bronx River Greenway and linking communities that had been isolated by highways and train lines. Phase 2 of the project was cited by ISI for restoring balance and reuniting communities, restoring the environment, and stimulating economic prosperity and development. Learn more here.

Our projects have been honored for substantially integrating sustainable measures.
From the Bronx to Staten Island, our agency’s work for the City of New York and our City partners has been nationally recognized by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI), the leading sustainable infrastructure organization founded by national engineering associations.

A project for Staten Island’s Bluebelt system, managed by DDC for NYC Department of Environmental Protection, received an Envision Silver Award in 2017. The Sweet Brook Bluebelt expansion improves drainage and eliminates almost 600 septic systems in Woodrow area of Staten Island. The work included planting over 700 trees, tens of thousands of plants and wildflowers, and over 100,000 square feet of grass seeding. Learn more here and here.

DDC is a leader is its implementation of sustainable infrastructure.
The agency is among the largest municipal entities in the U.S. supporting and encouraging Envision, the most recognized framework for sustainable infrastructure. Nearly 100 DDC professionals hold the Envision sustainability credential (ENV SP), and all the agency’s infrastructure projects are measured against Envision goals. Our staff members and agency leaders apply sustainable concepts to their daily work for New York City, and the agency’s dedicated Sustainable Infrastructure Program guides consultants and internal teams through a rigorous process to ensure sustainable practices are being integrated on every project. As we design and build infrastructure for New York City, we work hard to integrate sustainable measures and goals into all our projects.

Awards

DDC Infrastructure Division Receives “Sustainability Award” From the New York Water Environment Association

NYC Resources

NYC Climate Resiliency Design Guideline

Climate Change: Mayor’s Office of Climate and Sustainability

Local Law: Sustainability