The BIG U flood protection system, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in Manhattan, transforms 10 miles of vulnerable waterfront into a multi-functional urban infrastructure. Divided into three compartments, it integrates flood defenses with social infrastructure, offering parks, berms, and deployable walls that protect against storms while enhancing public spaces. Key features include the Lower East Side Bridging Berm, the artistic Deployable Walls under the FDR Drive, and the Battery Berm with its elevated paths and proposed maritime museum. Developed in collaboration with local communities, the BIG U redefines resilience by combining sustainability, inclusivity, and urban livability. Recognized with the Holcim Foundation Award, the project sets a global precedent for addressing climate challenges through innovative design.
The BIG U, also known as the Dryline, is a groundbreaking urban-scale flood protection project designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) to safeguard and revitalize Manhattan’s vulnerable waterfront. Initiated in response to the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, this visionary proposal combines state-of-the-art engineering with community-focused design, creating a protective system that not only shields the city from rising sea levels but also enriches the public realm.
Spanning 10 miles of low-lying areas, from West 57th Street south to The Battery and up to East 42nd Street, the BIG U reimagines flood protection as a network of social and environmental assets. Rather than isolating Manhattan from its waterfront, the project integrates protective infrastructure into the city’s urban fabric, making it accessible, functional, and enjoyable. The design prioritizes inclusivity, addressing the diverse needs of residents from affluent neighborhoods in Tribeca to socially disadvantaged communities in the East Side’s public housing developments.
The BIG U is organized into three independent but interconnected compartments, each tailored to its specific geographic and social context. These compartments function individually as flood protection zones while collectively forming a continuous system. They are designed flexibly, allowing for phased implementation and integration with ongoing waterfront developments. The Lower East Side Bridging Berm offers robust vertical protection while doubling as a public park. Its rolling hills, planted with salt-tolerant vegetation, create spaces for relaxation, recreation, and social interaction, providing not only flood defense but also an enhanced urban habitat.
The Deployable Walls along the East River Esplanade present a more discreet solution, incorporating flood panels attached to the underside of the FDR Drive. These panels, which flip down during storm events, are decorated by local artists and illuminated with integrated lighting, transforming an otherwise neglected area into a safe and inviting space. In addition to flood protection, the walls enable seasonal uses, such as winter markets.
The Battery Berm addresses one of the most flood-prone areas of Manhattan, the Financial District. Here, an elevated path weaves through Battery Park, connecting upland knolls designed for farming, picnicking, and leisure. The proposal also includes a signature building—a maritime museum with a “Reverse Aquarium” that allows visitors to observe tidal changes and rising sea levels while serving as an additional flood barrier.
From its inception, the BIG U emphasized community collaboration. The project team engaged with residents, local organizations, and public stakeholders in iterative workshops. The East Side, home to many public housing developments, presented a challenge due to residents’ concerns about gentrification and displacement. BIG’s approach prioritized trust-building, ensuring that the design addressed not just engineering challenges but also the social and economic needs of the community. By treating residents as key stakeholders and tailoring solutions to their input, the project achieved a balance between resilience and inclusivity.
Bjarke Ingels described the BIG U as an opportunity to redefine how cities approach infrastructure: “Instead of designing a utilitarian flood wall that separates Manhattan from the water, we wanted to create a resilient waterfront that integrates flood protection with public spaces, making the city more livable and enjoyable for its residents.”
The BIG U exemplifies the concept of “social infrastructure,” where functional engineering solutions serve as a foundation for community-focused spaces. By transforming flood defenses into vibrant public amenities, the project sets a precedent for coastal cities worldwide facing the dual challenges of climate change and urbanization.
The project’s innovative integration of sustainability, engineering, and community engagement earned it the Holcim Foundation Award in 2015. The Holcim Foundation, which recognizes excellence in sustainable construction, praised the BIG U for redefining the boundaries of architecture and infrastructure. The project’s inclusion in the Holcim Foundation’s “Words with Winners” film series further underscored its significance as a model for resilient urban design.
Receiving this recognition was a milestone for the project, as it navigated the complexities of multi-stakeholder collaboration, regulatory hurdles, and long-term implementation timelines. Ingels acknowledged the importance of such encouragement, noting that the award validated the project’s innovative approach to blending hard engineering with urbanism, environmental design, and social infrastructure.
By protecting Manhattan from future storms while creating inclusive and enjoyable urban spaces, the BIG U demonstrates how cities can address pressing environmental challenges without sacrificing livability. It is not only a testament to forward-thinking design but also a beacon of hope for other coastal cities seeking resilient and inclusive solutions to climate change.
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