IDEAS FOR RECOVERY
and flooding may be one reason that residents tended to prefer engineered approaches over “soft” infrastructural approaches. One resident felt particularly strongly that a wall should be built, regardless of how it would affect the community’s relationship to the beach, stating that she “didn’t care about the beach anymore.” Residents also felt strongly that building codes needed to be changed and some noted a lack of leadership in not addressing these issues previously. In addition, suggestions were made to elevate the homes, to consider relocating the bungalows to a safer location, and to lengthen the beach to provide a larger buffer at the waterfront.
It was evident during the team’s field visit that there was a strong sense of self-reflection within Midland Beach, as well as a diversity of opinions and ideas about the future of the neighborhood. The following suggestions were offered:
COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS Some thought that the community would benefit from additional preparedness, suggesting that training be offered to help residents get ready for future disasters and develop coping skills. They felt that this could help save lives in the future, help residents learn to prepare their home or business before a storm, and to address damages and losses afterwards.
SUMMER STREET MARKETS The owner of the wine and liquor store suggested that a summer-long street market be organized on Midland Avenue to encourage foot traffic and promote community and business renewal.
PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS When discussing how shortcomings in the buildings and infrastructure could be addressed to provide resiliency for future storms, residents in Midland Beach focused primarily on engineered approaches to keeping water out, repeatedly citing the need for a sea wall and/or levees. Many felt that the Blue Belt was not effective, and in some cases, may have acted as a conduit bringing more water into the neighborhood. The inability of the Blue Belt to strategically redirect storm surge
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ARCHITECTURE FOR HUMANITY NEW YORK