Policy Recommendations for a More Resilient NYC - Spring

Team Members: Alex Rudnicki, Rebecca Hopkins, Dafna Bareket, Caitlin Boas, Joseph DeMarco, Devika Kaul, James Lin, Philip Malley, Julie Manoharan, Daniel Wohl, Ella Wynn

Urban agriculture plays a critical role in strengthening environmental resilience, improving food security, and supporting community development in New York City. However, the sector faces structural challenges, including fragmented governance, inconsistent land access, limited funding, and insufficient integration into broader city planning efforts. Despite its proven benefits—including stormwater management, urban heat island mitigation, and increased access to fresh food—urban agriculture has not been systematically incorporated into resilience and sustainability policies. These limitations constrain the sector’s ability to expand and contribute to climate adaptation and social equity goals. The analysis highlights the potential for urban agriculture to function as essential green infrastructure while simultaneously supporting community cohesion, public health, and local economic development.

Strengthening urban agriculture requires a coordinated policy framework that integrates land use planning, interagency collaboration, and targeted investment. Key strategies include establishing a comprehensive citywide urban agriculture plan, improving access to publicly owned land, expanding funding mechanisms, and enhancing technical assistance for growers. Incorporating urban agriculture into resilience planning would enable the city to maximize environmental and social co-benefits while supporting vulnerable communities. Improved coordination among city agencies and stakeholders would reduce inefficiencies and ensure long-term program sustainability. Expanding urban agriculture presents a cost-effective opportunity to advance climate resilience, reduce environmental inequities, and strengthen New York City’s capacity to address future environmental and public health challenges.

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