May 14th, 2026
4:00pm - 6:00pm
East Side Coastal Resiliency Project
Eric Ilijevich is Director of the Coastal Resiliency Design team at New York City’s Department of Design and Construction. Eric has over 10 years of professional experience in engineering. He joined NYC DDC in 2015 to work on post-Hurricane Sandy disaster recovery projects and particularly the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project, advancing the project through final design as well as a multitude of local, state, and federal public review and engagement processes, including CEQR, SEQRA and NEPA Environmental Review, NYC Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), NYS DEC / USACE Joint Permit Application (JPA), and FEMA Accreditation of the 100-year flood insurance rate maps.
Bobby Issac, P.E., ENV SP, currently serves as the Assistant Commissioner of Coastal Resiliency Construction at NYC DDC, overseeing the delivery of coastal protection projects across New York City. With a career spanning over two decades, he brings deep expertise in geotechnical and environmental engineering, having worked on major infrastructure projects, including bridges, dams, and flood protection systems. His leadership in the DDC coastal resiliency portfolio exemplifies his ability to manage complex technical challenges, stakeholder coordination, and regulatory compliance.
Matthew T. Carmody, PE, RSP1, is a Vice President at AKRF, Inc. specializing in traffic engineering and transportation planning throughout New York City. He has presented at the Walk-Bike New York Symposium, Walk Bike Long Island Summit, and many other industry events. Matt conducted transportation engineering studies for East Side Coastal Resiliency with a focus on bicycle/pedestrian access, safety, and connectivity.
Martin Hartmann, PE, ENV SP, is an Associate at AKRF, Inc. and an experienced civil engineer specializing in transportation design throughout New York City. His project experience includes streets, highways, bridges, airports, and public transportation as well as site design for public plazas, streetscapes, and buildings and facilities. He has provided extensive civil engineering, roadway design, and construction-phase services for East Side Coastal Resiliency.
Join us for a walk-and-talk tour of the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project (ESCR) with AKRF and New York City Department of Design and Construction.
The East Side Coastal Resiliency Project is New York City’s $1.45 billion climate defense effort, protecting the East Side waterfront against flooding, storm surges, and rising seas. With major phases now open, the project has transformed the waterfront into a vibrant public space — weaving together elevated parkland, native plantings, new pedestrian bridges, and redesigned gathering areas built for both resilience and everyday life.
Representatives from the ESCR project team will reflect on how design and engineering decisions are shaping cyclist and pedestrian use today. The tour will conclude with an informal picnic in the park to continue the conversation among members.
How does infrastructure designed for a future storm become part of everyday life?
Guest & Accessibility Policies
Urban Design Forum promotes conversations between invited civic leaders, designers, developers, and advocates. This event is open to Forum Members. Members may also invite a guest to join them.
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully.
- This event includes a tour and requires walking.
- If you’re not feeling well, please stay home. Face masks are encouraged, particularly if you have been recently exposed to colds, flus, or other illness. If you have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days, a high-quality, well-fitting face covering is required at all times.
- Please refrain from wearing strong fragrances to accommodate guests with allergies or environmental sensitivities.
- If you have additional needs, we will do our best to accommodate. Please contact rsvp@urbandesignforum.org.
Continuing Education
This event has been approved for 1 AIA CES LU.
About Public Works
Public Works is a discussion series to drive civic dialogue around new and forthcoming built environment projects in New York City. Throughout the year, we invite government officials and private sector leaders to present design and development initiatives that shape the public good. Our goal is to create an open and collegial venue for deeper conversation between the public sector and our network of civic leaders building, caring for, and maintaining our city.
Support Our Work
Public Works is made possible through the support of our Board of Directors, Director’s Circle, Company Members, and our Campaign for Courageous Leadership, and company and individual members. Our programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
To learn more about supporting Public Works, please contact Miranda Bellizia, miranda@urbandesignforum.org.
Image Credit: AKRF
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