As a coastal city, Stamford, Connecticut is especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The city has already begun to notice more episodes of extreme weather and natural disasters, and will only continue to experience more as climate change progresses. In order to stay afloat, the people of Stamford have to make their city as resilient as possible.
Threats
In the past decade, the effects of climate change have already changed the landscape of Stamford. Heavy events of rain and snow, floods, droughts, and even tropical storms have become more prevalent. The most severe case being record storm surge Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The storm 70 mph winds left over 60 percent of the city without power for a week. Clean up and repair costs from the hurricane cost the city an estimated $7 million. If improvements are not made to the infrastructure and landscape of the city, these costs could become all too common.
These maps were created using data gathered by NOAA Technical Report (2017). This data was assembled as part of a larger project, the U.S. National Climate Assessment.
Getting Started
After the devastating repair costs in 2012, the city realized how vulnerable they are to climate change, and have been pushing resilient actions ever since. Many of their efforts have gone through the Stamford 2030 District. The districts aim to reduce water and energy use within cities, specifically through transportation systems and commercial businesses. Stamford was the 13th city to join the districts, and many more have affiliated since.
This interactive map shows a snapshot of the work each 2030 District city is doing.
“Stamford is one of 12 cities to join a North American network of 2030 Districts. Each district is a public-private partnership of property owners, managers, and developers with local governments, businesses, and community stakeholders to provide a business model for urban sustainability through collaboration, leveraged financing, and shared resources. The 2030 Districts are charged with the long-term effort of achievable and measurable goals for renovating hundreds of millions of square feet of existing urban and suburban areas and infrastructure, as well as for infill development and redevelopment.”
–“Collaboration for Climate Resilience in Stamford, Connecticut”
This news clip aired in 2013 when Stamford first began to understand the importance of resilience. –“Conn. DEEP Deputy Speaks in Stamford.”
The first step that Stamford took to increase resilience was to find a baseline of how the city was already doing. They began leveraging public-private partnerships to access vulnerability. The real action started in March of 2015 when Stamford partnered with city departments, AECOM and IBM to see how the city was graded on the City Disaster Resilience Scorecard.
This scorecard provides a way for cities and governments to understand how resilient their city is to natural disasters. The questionnaire was created to help guide cities on how to adapt and become better prepared for natural disasters as climate change affects cause more damage. The goal of the scorecard is to challenge cities, and to let them know there is always more that can be done.
“The need for cities and companies to address climate resilience is growing. Stamford 2030 serves as an innovative model for cities and companies interested in developing and advancing their resilience strategy.”
–“Collaboration for Climate Resilience in Stamford, Connecticut”
Stamford also held a workshop in 2015 to brainstorm new ways that the city could increase their resilience. Those in attendance were diverse stakeholders from all over the city, including: city officials, non-government organizations, the Business Council of Fairfield County, utilities and hospitality sector, and representatives from the regional planning agency. The workshop made it clear that although Stamford has many strengths, they also have weaknesses.
The city’s strengths include excellent emergency response and overall safety, good engagement of electric and utility companies in disaster planning, and a strong hazard plan. It was determined that Stamfords key areas to focus on to become more resilient to climate change were: creation of a long-term resilience strategy, establishing better recovery plans, improving existing infrastructure within the city, and increasing involvement and awareness of citizens and business in the use of local climate change data.
“Stamford is going a step further by making resilience a unique focus for the Stamford 2030 District.”
–“Collaboration for Climate Resilience in Stamford, Connecticut”
The City Disaster Resilience Scorecard and workshop were vital in identifying the key problems that face Stamford if climate change damage continues to affect their city. By accessing the city’s vulnerabilities, officials became better prepared to help businesses and other stakeholders to create positive modifications in Stamford.
What They’re Doing
After identifying Stamfords weaknesses, the city began to plan and adapt for climate change symptoms. Programs were put in place, grants were applied for, citizens and business communities were pushed to enact change. Below are just a few of the transformations that have begun to take place in Stamford.
Stormwater
“Connecticut Gutter, LLC.”
One exciting approach that Stamford is taking to combat climate change is evaluating and modifying their stormwater systems. Improved stormwater management systems will become extremely important to coastal cities as more effects of climate change are seen. Heavier rains, floods, and intense storms could cause damage to many different parts of the city if not managed in the best ways possible. The city has been adapting a methodology created in Seattle to promote property owners to implement on-site stormwater practices.
The main idea behind it all is that small changes add up to create a big difference. To help make these goals a reality, Stamford 2030 received a grant that will aid communities in the planning and adapting of best management practices. These adaptations look at the extreme effects that could be heading towards Stamford due to climate change, and how to best prepare for it. They were able to map out predictions of climate change effects such as increased precipitation and sea-level-rise, and hope to start enacting change soon. Stamford 2030 hopes that these evaluations and process will also soon be able to help cities all over Connecticut.
Promotional and informational video of how the stormwater management systems are installed.
Infrastructure: Mill River Park
Originally a huge risk in the city, which developed into a major green infrastructure and restoration project, Mill River Park has become a huge success for Stamford. Mill River runs through Stamford, and for years frequently flooded the downtown and other areas of the city due to issues created by dams, pollution, debris, and channelizing. The design team (lead by OLIN) tasked with the project had the challenge of designing a master plan that would both restore the river, and reconnect the city with nature.
“This green infrastructure project not only provided habitat rehabilitation and reduced risk of flooding, but an opportunity to develop surrounding park space and unite the downtown with the waterfront, offering revitalization to the area as a whole.”
–“2015 ASLA Professional Awards”
“Collaboration for Climate Resilience in Stamford, Connecticut”
Figure-ground drawing of Stamford and Mill River Park.
Overall, the restoration was an $8 million project. First, the two dams were removed and channelization fixed, allowing the river to flow freely for the first time in centuries. Next, hundreds of new native plants were introduced back into the environment, providing habitat for wildlife. Aquatic and terrestrial habitats were also restored. Pools, riffles, and meanders were created to bring the river back to its natural state. The floodplain was also reintroduced, which has drastically reduced the damaging effects of stormwater in downtown Stamford and surrounding areas. The river that used to be a huge threat to the city can now handle a water volume from almost every type of storm event, which will be critical in the years to come as climate change brings more extreme storms. The design has already helped Stamford during the last two hurricanes; there was no significant damage to the park or the surrounding area because the river was able to naturally flood. In the end, the design team was able to create a 28-acre park and 3-mile greenway that highlights sustainability, culture, research, education, and recreation.
“With a design that emphasizes sustainability, recreation, civic engagement, culture and education within an ecologically diverse and lush environment, the green infrastructure will serve the city for generations to come.”
–“2015 ASLA Professional Awards”
Government
In 2018, the State of Connecticut created the bill, Connecticut SB 7: An Act Concerning Climate Change Planning and Resiliency (Public Act 18-82). This legislature requires all state and federally-funded coastal infrastructure projects to take sea level rise into account during the planning process. Connecticut coastal cities are now required to take into consideration that sea level will rise by two feet by 2050.
This legislature will start affecting Stamford on October 1, 2019.
The main goals are to:
“take into consideration risks associated with increased coastal flooding and erosion, depending on site topography, based on this sea level change scenario
identify the impacts of increased flooding and erosion on infrastructure and natural resources
make recommendations for the siting of future infrastructure and property development to minimize the use of areas prone to such flooding and erosion
take into consideration the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals”
–“Connecticut SB 7”
To further prepare for climate change affects, other legislation is also underway, including one with a goal to decrease greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030.
Youth Involvement
One of Stanford’s most successful climate change initiatives has been the Mill River Stewards program. This is a summer-long program that is available for high school students in the Stamford area. The stewards go through a field-based internship where they learn valuable lessons about environmentalism, urban park stewardship, successful park design, and careers in conservation.
“The hard skills garnered from these projects improve Stewards’ environmental literacy by allowing them to look at a habitat or site and understand the cause and effects of what is happening there.”
-“Mill River Stewards: Exploration”
“These hands-on projects help the Stewards understand and apply design elements that make the park an interesting landscape to enjoy.”
–“Mill River Stewards: Exploration”
Students who participate in the program gain hands-on experience through activities like erosion prevention, soil health improvement, and runoff management projects. One of the goals of the program is that students improve their ability to understand the landscape and its constant changes. Stewards that have completed the program report that they have made a difference in their city and its landscape.
“I’ve definitely gained an appreciation for the environment.”
-Student “Mill River Stewards: Exploration”
Here is another short video about how Stamfod youth are getting involved in their environment. “USA, Nestlé”
References
“2015 ASLA Professional Awards.” Mill River Park and Greenway | 2015 ASLA Professional Awards, 2016, www.asla.org/2015awards/95842.html.
“Connecticut SB 7: An Act Concerning Climate Change Planning and Resiliency (Public Act 18-82).” Connecticut SB 7: An Act Concerning Climate Change Planning and Resiliency (Public Act 18-82) | Adaptation Clearinghouse, 2018, www.adaptationclearinghouse.org/resources/connecticut-sb-7-an-act-concerning-climate-change-planning-and-resiliency-public-act-18-82.html.
“Mill River Park and Greenway.” OLIN, 2016, www.theolinstudio.com/mill-river-park-and-greenway.
“Mill River Stewards: Exploration.” Mill River Park Collaborative, 2019, millriverpark.org/conservation/youth-internships/mill-river-stewards-exploration/.
“See Your Local Sea Level and Coastal Flood Risk.” Climate Central, riskfinder.climatecentral.org/municipality/stamford.ct.us?comparisonType=municipality&forecastName=Basic&forecastType=NOAA2017_extreme_p50&level=6&unit=ft#reducing-your-risk.
“Stormwater Management In Response To Climate Change Impacts: Lessons From The Chesapeake Bay And Great Lakes Regions (Final Report).” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 19 May 2016, cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/global/recordisplay.cfm?deid=310045.
“USA, Nestlé. “#NestléCares National Volunteer Day: Stamford, Connecticut.” YouTube, YouTube, 18 Aug. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s8Anx8kD8k.
Originally a huge risk in the city, which developed into a major green infrastructure and restoration project, Mill River Park has become a huge success for Stamford. Mill River runs through Stamford, and for years frequently flooded the downtown and other areas of the city due to issues created by dams, pollution, debris, and channelizing. The design team (lead by OLIN) tasked with the project had the challenge of designing a master plan that would both restore the river, and reconnect the city with nature. 
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