New York Emergency | gianluca milesi

concept the city of new york is asking proposals for provisional houses to be built after the hurricane or a natural disaster happening in the coastal areas. we think that is absolutely necessary to give answers to this increasing and urgent problem and the construction of houses is indispensable. we think, this point standing, that an efficient relief should deal first of all with the correct timing of the whole operation. we are also convinced that in many cases the prevention is better than the cure. so we propose: "do it before not after" what do we mean with that? we meant that we propose to the city of new nork to start to operate before the disaster and not after it. we do mean that we propose to the city to built structures that should be ready when the disaster is approaching. our idea of provisional is not related to the building process but to the use of the structure we are going to propose. so our idea is : built now and use according to the needs of the city. what we want to build? we propose to built structures that can be used in different ways how we want to be? we want to built a structures that are appropriate and convenient to the city. these are the points we want to point out with our project: 1. we use the sea and not the land; land in new york city is limited and expensive; new york city is traditionally a sea port and many ships were crossing its waters 2. we propose a project that is profitable for the city and not a debit without any chance of income; the city can use our structures in a profitable way when the situation is normal; the structure will be used as temporary residence and hotels and, a sometimes, they permanently serve the city with function such as public spaces, events spaces, cultural spaces, commercial spaces, sport and recreation areas. 3. we propose structure that can be easily evacuated and filled and used not structure will be easily built and deconstructed; so we propose to built and use the floating structures immediately in a useful and profitable way for the city and change the use according to the emergency; never the less the structures can be and enlarged or shrunk if it is necessary. 4. the floating structures are thought to be moved and transported where the need is more urgent, connected to the land, agglomerated and connected themselves in other to satisfy the needs of the city in every moment. 5. the floating structures will be a changing permanent presence on the coast contributing significantly to the function, the image and the aesthetic of the city east self. a possible timeline day -730 starting of construction of the floating structures. day -365 the floating structures are in the sea, functioning as supporting infra-structures for the city, such as hotels, public spaces, event spaces, cultural spaces, commercial spaces, sport and recreation areas. day -3 people occupying the floating structures, that is a temporary and daily population, are evacuated because of the approaching of the hurricane. day 0 the floating structures have been transported to a supposed safe place on the coast line. day +2/+7 the floating structures are transported where the emergency is more urgent, anchored and connected to the land. they can be agglomerated with other similar floating structures. the floating structures function as a reception point for first help goods, medicines and what is needed immediately, through the roof heli-port and through the sea. the public spaces of the structures are used as first recover for people, before people are sent to the residential units. day +7/+30 people enter the residential units. the public spaces of the structures are used in order to serve the new population. the vehicular, pedestrian and sky and sea connections are established with the land and between the different floating structures. day +365/+1825 people occupying the residential units are gradually leaving their houses and move to more permanent housing situations on the land. during this period of time the floating structures are functioning in a mixed form spreading from emergency to more every day city functions, private and public. day +1825/+.... the floating structures are functioning again as a public resource for the city, providing temporary permanence of people, reusing the public spaces for leisure, events and recreation. the floating units can be moved from their position and navigate to the more convenient place on the coast.