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The Urban Sponge

Updated: Jun 28


The Friends of Barnett Newman Triangle are working hard behind the scenes to make things happen for the Triangle. Recently we learned we unfortunately did not win a grant from RainProof NYC.

While we are all excited about greening this Triangle in lower Manhattan, a real and impactful issue related to climate change is managing storm-water during large water events. In our mission, the design and implementation of the Triangle should address these concerns in our neighborhood.

We believe that some of the primary principles include:


Flood Mitigation and Stormwater Management

▪ Create a functional, living demonstration of urban flood prevention

▪ Develop a replicable model for managing stormwater in high-risk flood plain areas

▪ Reduce neighborhood flooding potential through nature-based solutions

Ecological Enhancement

▪ Introduce native trees, shrubs, and grasses to create a vibrant urban ecosystem

▪ Establish a habitat for local pollinators

▪ Reduce urban heat island effect through strategic landscaping

Climate Change Adaptation

▪ Showcase how small-scale, community-driven interventions can address large-scale environmental challenges

▪ Provide a tangible example of innovative urban design responding to climate vulnerabilities

▪ Demonstrate how green infrastructure can enhance urban resilience

▪ Develop a transferable model for green infrastructure implementation

▪ Influence urban design and climate adaptation strategies across New York City

▪ Provide empirical data and practical insights for future environmental projects

Community Education and Engagement

▪ Create an visually appealing public space that educates residents about sustainable urban design

▪ Demonstrate a collaborative model of inter-agency cooperation in urban resilience projects

Policy Design and Inspiration

▪ Develop a transferable model for green infrastructure implementation

▪ Influence urban design and climate adaptation strategies across New York City

▪ Provide empirical data and practical insights for future environmental projects


We are committed to transforming urban resilience through innovative green infrastructure, with a focused approach to addressing climate change challenges in lower Manhattan's most vulnerable areas.


The ultimate vision of FoBNT is to transform this traffic triangle into a powerful symbol of urban environmental innovation—proving that thoughtful, community-driven design can be a critical tool in addressing the complex challenges of climate change.


If you know of other grants or funding opportunities that align with our mission, please share them with us at info@barnettnewmantriangle.org


You can read the full Grant Submission here:


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