The flooding condition that caused havoc last week was a metaphor for city planning spiraling out of control. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has initiated a full frontal assault on any build able space in New York City. With Dan Doctoroff as his muse, the building construction explosion has not moved in tandem with an aging city infrastructure. There are major water mains throughout the city that were built in the late 1800's. The lack of viable support systems is compounded by a labor shortage to remedy the situation.
For the first time in decades, our available workforce is straining to meet the intense demand for new construction -- from high rise office towers to schools and housing," said Louis J. Coletti, Chairman of the Building Trades Employers' Association (BTEA).
"Many skilled trade workers already are putting in unprecedented amounts of overtime," added Edward J. Malloy, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council. "We need to get young New Yorkers interested in construction careers in order to meet these growing demands as well as to replace current workers who are nearing retirement."
With the exception of the Bronx, every borough in New York City is surrounded by water. As the sea levels continue to rise due to global warming, these mini islands come precariously close to flooding vulnerability. The sewage systems are strained from an increase in population density resultant of the building boom and the ill prepared MTA showed that it's contingency plan needed refurbishing. And although Bloomberg touts "green" as the new buzz word, he has authorized an awful lot of it's removal. Trees that would have provided a proper drainage system have been sacrificed for skyscrapers. To the Mayor's credit, he has taken measures to
replace them but it will take several years for them to mature. Perhaps by that time we will all be in an ark somewhere full of animals.
For the first time in decades, our available workforce is straining to meet the intense demand for new construction -- from high rise office towers to schools and housing," said Louis J. Coletti, Chairman of the Building Trades Employers' Association (BTEA).
"Many skilled trade workers already are putting in unprecedented amounts of overtime," added Edward J. Malloy, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council. "We need to get young New Yorkers interested in construction careers in order to meet these growing demands as well as to replace current workers who are nearing retirement."
With the exception of the Bronx, every borough in New York City is surrounded by water. As the sea levels continue to rise due to global warming, these mini islands come precariously close to flooding vulnerability. The sewage systems are strained from an increase in population density resultant of the building boom and the ill prepared MTA showed that it's contingency plan needed refurbishing. And although Bloomberg touts "green" as the new buzz word, he has authorized an awful lot of it's removal. Trees that would have provided a proper drainage system have been sacrificed for skyscrapers. To the Mayor's credit, he has taken measures to
replace them but it will take several years for them to mature. Perhaps by that time we will all be in an ark somewhere full of animals.
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