Wednesday, September 10, 2025
All the Bits Fit to Print
Proposal to extend Manhattan Island with reclaimed land for housing and climate resilience
A Rutgers professor proposes creating 1,760 acres of reclaimed land called New Mannahatta to extend Manhattan, aiming to provide housing and protect against climate change impacts.
Why it matters: New Mannahatta would offer 180,000 homes and protect NYC from rising sea levels and storm surges.
The big picture: Manhattan has been expanded historically; this project follows a centuries-old tradition of land reclamation.
The stakes: Without bold action, NYC risks worsening flooding disasters and escalating housing affordability problems.
Commenters say: Many appreciate the ambitious vision and economic logic, while some question feasibility and environmental impacts.