Buro Happold and urban design nonprofit Hester Street have announced a partnership with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice to establish an environmental justice report and online data portal that will identify the locations across the city where policies, infrastructure, and investments contribute to inequities in vulnerability and risk from environmental hazards. 

The report, coined the Environmental Justice for All Report, and web portal will be accessible to the public and inform the creation of a comprehensive environmental justice plan. The initiative will outline areas of focus for promoting environmental justice in New York City and analyze existing policies, programs, and procedures across the city.

The creation of the report and portal is the result of Local Laws 60 and 64, environmental justice legislation passed by the City Council and signed by former Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2017. Local Law 60 requires that a citywide study of environmental justice is conducted and for the findings to be made public, and Local Law 64 requires the creation of an advisory board to work with the city on developing a citywide environmental justice plan. 

“The Environmental Justice for All report and data portal is a critical step in assessing the cumulative impacts of environmental hazards on communities of color and low-income communities, and identifying the City of New York’s contributions to environmental justice,” said Buro Happold Associate Principal Chris Rhie.

“We are thrilled to work with the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice and Buro Happold to ensure greater transparency and accountability for NYC climate policy that centers environmental justice,” adds Sadra Shahab, Director of Data & Research at Hester Street.

Buro Happold and Hester Street have enlisted HOUSEOFCAKES, Creative Urban Alchemy, Lion Advisors for Community and Environment, UHope Consulting, and Tishman Environment & Design Center at The New School as subcontractors.