Resilient Connecticut Innovative Design Workshop

Monday, May 15, 2023
9:30 - 3:45 PM
UConn Avery Point, Groton, CT
Lowell P. Weicker Jr. Marine Sciences Building, Room 103

Statewide-Resilience-Roadmap-Image
Through the Resilient Connecticut project, CIRCA is partnering with municipalities, COGs, state agencies, technical planning teams, and community stakeholders to develop innovative solutions to local and regional climate challenges.
The purpose of this workshop will be to collaborate and develop innovative design ideas to resilience typologies that are common across Connecticut.
We will collaborate in-person on different types of adaptation approaches and strategies and how to choose and apply these strategies locally. We will also review case studies from the Resilient Connecticut pilot region (Fairfield & New Haven Counties).

Workshop Agenda

9:30-10:00 Arrival, Registration, Coffee
10:00-10:10 Introduction
10:10-11:55 Review Phase III project case studies from pilot region

(Phase III project teams: AECOM, GZA, Fuss & O’Neill)

  • South Norwalk, Fairfield, Ansonia (AECOM)
  • Stratford (GZA)
  • Danbury, New Haven, Branford (Fuss & O’Neill)
  • Q & A Open Discussion
11:55-12:00 Introduction to Design Charette
12:00-12:45 Lunch
12:45-2:45
  • 12:45 - 1:40: Session 1
  • 5 minutes break in-between
  • 1:45- 2:45: Session 2

Design Charrette

During the breakout sessions in the afternoon, attendees will be divided into teams to develop climate adaptation and resilience strategies and concept designs for different typologies and geographies.  Potential examples may include the Stonington portion of Mystic where significant coastal flood risks are present; a one-way road in Essex that is flooded by the tidal Connecticut River; the town center in Portland where stormwater has flooded critical facilities; and a riverine flood challenge from Jewett City or Norwich.
2:45-3:30 Selected team(s) report back. Group dialogue on trade-offs.
3:30 -3:45 Workshop Closing

Room Assignments for Design Charette:

Room 103: Mystic - Coastal Flood Risk Reduction
Room 122: Portland - Stormwater Flood Damage Reduction
Room 123: Essex - Improving Egress Through Tidal River Flood Management
Room 124: Jewett City - Riverine Flood Risk Reduction

Workshop Purpose

Collaborate and develop innovative design ideas for resilience typologies in Connecticut, including:

  • Different types of adaptation approaches and strategies
  • How to choose and apply these strategies locally
  • Review case-studies from the Resilient Connecticut pilot region (Fairfield & New Haven Counties)

Funding was provided by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Community Block Grant National Disaster Recovery Program, as administered by the State of Connecticut, Department of Housing