#parkipelago

"Parkipelago", Copenhagen by Marshall Blecher and Studio Fokstrot,

All images ©  MIR

Transforming the Waterfront into a Chain of Parks

Manhattan has opened the first section of an ambitious urban project to protect its eastern waterfront from flooding. The design turns the riverfront into a chain of elevated parks. Each one connects with the next, forming what designers call a parkipelago a group of green islands that merge nature with flood protection. The project restores the city’s connection to its river

The design integrates elevated green spaces and walkways as part of the Parkipelago project on Manhattan’s East Waterfront A Design that Blends Nature and Protection

Stretching along the East River, the project creates a continuous green landscape that gradually rises above ground level. This elevation functions as a natural barrier against floods while providing public open spaces and resting areas for residents. The new parks feature diverse slopes and pathways, offering visitors a dynamic visual experience and a gentle descent toward the water.

The open spaces encourage direct interaction with the river and expand the public realm for residents Balancing Geography and Urban Life

The redesigned park integrates stone walkways, green slopes, and shaded areas, alongside terraces overlooking the river and open spaces for social and recreational activities. These layers of landscape create fluid movement across multiple ground levels, transforming the waterfront from a rigid floodwall into a lively public realm that invites people closer to the river.

The park extends alongside the bridge, forming a visual connection between the urban fabric and the river An Architectural Vision for a More Resilient City

The project embodies the idea of elevation as a shield, where the rising terrain forms a natural defense while maintaining visual and physical connection with the waterfront. Through this approach, Manhattan becomes a model of urban resilience, combining environmental adaptation with architectural expression.

The new pathways create a layered walking experience between the park and the riverfront Conclusion

The opening of this section marks a new phase in reimagining New York’s waterfront, presenting it as a public landscape that merges ecological protection with human centered design.

Construction view showing the integration of natural elements within the urban design of the East Waterfront

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The article examines the Parkipelago project as an urban transformation merging nature and engineering along Manhattan’s East River. The visuals reveal a layered topography of green terraces and stone walkways, where vegetation operates as both a visual and ecological defense. While the design balances functionality and spatial flow, the dialogue between architecture and the river feels more symbolic than immersive. Still, the project stands as a forward-thinking example of climate-responsive urban design, integrating infrastructure and landscape into a cohesive architectural experience.

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