New York 2018, Summary of the Urban Climate Lab and Sunnyside Yard Project

The Urban Climate Lab at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) aims to explore integrated urban design and planning strategies that promote sustainable and resilient communities. The lab focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing pedestrian access, preserving open space, and improving urban microclimates through green infrastructure, compact development, and climate-adaptive design.

Sunnyside Yard Project – Context and Goals

• Sunnyside Yard, a 180-acre rail site in Queens, NY, has been identified as a major opportunity for urban redevelopment.

• As NYC’s population is projected to reach 9 million by 2040, the project addresses key urban challenges: infrastructure strain, land scarcity, and climate change.

• The city is evaluating the feasibility of building a new neighborhood above the active railyard, integrating housing, transit, and green public spaces.

Student Design Studio

• Graduate students designed compact, mixed-use housing for a proposed eco-district at Sunnyside Yard.

• Their work emphasizes climate resilience, energy efficiency, natural systems, and urban livability.

• Design strategies include solar energy, urban agriculture, cool materials, and public realm enhancements.

Workshops and Tools

The Urban Design Climate Workshop (UDCW), in collaboration with UCCRN and IAUC, brought together global experts to test evidence-based climate-responsive design.

Tools used:

• ArcGIS and parametric 3D modeling (Grasshopper/Ladybug)
• Weather data and future climate scenarios (especially 2050 projections)
• Urban climate modeling platforms like ENVI-met and SOLWEIG

Scenarios and Analysis

Three design scenarios for Sunnyside Yard were modeled:

1. Baseline 2018 (current conditions)
2. Baseline 2050 (business-as-usual, market-driven development)
3. Best Practice 2050 (climate-adaptive design)

Simulations showed that Best Practice 2050:

• Reduces surface and air temperatures
• Improves urban thermal comfort
• Increases shaded areas
• Enhances resilience to heatwaves and flooding

Outcomes

Strategic urban design can modify local climates by:

• Promoting airflow
• Increasing vegetation
• Using cool and reflective materials
• Reducing mean radiant temperature (MRT)

The project demonstrates how climate-informed urban design can offer public health, environmental, and economic co-benefits, serving as a model for future sustainable urban development.