ARCADIS (EURONEXT: ARCAD), the leading pure play global engineering and consultancy firm, announced today it will perform a feasibility study for New York City Economic Development Corporation's (NYC EDC) Seaport City, a resiliency project following Hurricane Sandy. The project is designed to explore options to climate-proof Lower Manhattan from coastal flooding and provide opportunities for economic development and funding for future projects. Seaport City would be built as part of a multi-purpose levee to protect a 1.5-mile area along the eastern edge of Lower Manhattan from the Battery to just north of the Manhattan Bridge.

As part of the feasibility study, ARCADIS will identify and evaluate options for resiliency and take into account physical, infrastructure, environmental, legal, and implementation considerations. ARCADIS will issue an executive summary of work performed, findings, and recommendations as part of the project.

The Seaport City concept will emulate the successful Battery Park City development on the west side of lower Manhattan.

"Climate change and sea level rise are impacting coastal cities like New York every day," said Eleanor Allen, Global Business Line Director of Water for ARCADIS. "Through our Dutch heritage we have a very deep knowledge of integrated water management solutions. We are eager to bring our unparalleled global experience in the design of levee systems and coastal protection measures to New York City's waterways to help protect the city for both the short- and long-term."

ARCADIS recently participated in the NYC EDC's Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency (SIRR), where it developed, analyzed, and recommended coastal protection interventions for the New York City area. As market leader, ARCADIS in recent years has designed approximately 110 miles of levees in New Orleans and worked on numerous similar projects across the world.

"In Arcadis, City Hall believes it has found the perfect partner to figure this all out", Matt Chaban reported on October 2nd in the New York Daily News.