South Norwalk

Project Consultant: AECOM

Location:

South Norwalk is a diverse and vibrant neighborhood along the Norwalk River and harbor in Norwalk, CT. The South Norwalk area contains a major railroad station with regional connections (South Norwalk Metro North station), numerous critical facilities, historic resources, and regional tourist attractions. Flood risks from storm surge and tidal flooding, as well as precipitation and stormwater induced flooding, present public safety challenges to residents as nuisance flooding as well as impeding access to lifelines, and evacuation during storms. Much of the South Norwalk area is also vulnerable to extreme heat with dense commercial/industrial coverage along the waterfront with high amounts of impervious surfaces, and dense but somewhat vegetated residential development west of the railroad, as well as relatively high social vulnerability among community residents.

Additional South Norwalk Resources

Resilience Opportunity Area Map Portfolio

Descripción del Proyecto

Meetings & Documents

Final Report

Situation: 

This project focuses on developing project designs that will help mitigate the impacts of climate induced flooding to key neighborhood and community assets while also mitigating the impacts of extreme heat for the community. Adaptation options and implementation planning that are identified and carried forward to conceptual design will incorporate the Resilient Connecticut PERSISTS criteria.pdf.

Specific areas of focus include:

  • Assess flood mitigation options along Water Street (Route 136) and Day Street between Washington Street to the north, and Burritt Avenue to the south. Building on the City’s recent efforts to elevate the intersection of Day Street at Soundview Landing, develop flood mitigation options for adapting critical transportation corridors in the neighborhood that contribute to town planning and urban design, and anticipate the projected impacts of sea-level rise on future flood conditions. Include an assessment of options to manage flood risks from both storm surge and precipitation/stormwater induced flooding to perpendicular roads that connect these corridors to the South Norwalk TOD area to the west. Assess and develop strategies for maintaining dry egress during flooding events, as well as strategies for site scale flood mitigation of critical community assets under current and future conditions.
  • Assess and develop strategies to maintain egress and evacuation corridors that connect the South Norwalk TOD area with neighborhoods to the south and west. This includes Woodward Avenue from Concord Street south to Longshore Avenue, as well as, Meadow Street from the intersection with Woodward Avenue south to Wilson Avenue. Assess options for establishing “resilient corridors” that would maintain access and egress for residents, emergency vehicles, and critical services during storm events under current and future flood conditions.
  • Assess adaptation options to reduce the impact of extreme temperatures and alleviate heat islands within South Norwalk. Assess and develop potential land use, built, and nature-based adaptation strategies, with particular emphasis on the locations of vulnerable populations in the neighborhood.