Combining long-term investment in social infrastructure with practical strategies for climate preparedness, WXY collaborated with ARUP to develop plans for five pilot sites at campuses throughout NYC. These pilot projects reenvisioned NYCHA community centers as year-round resources to build community resilience and trusted anchors during emergencies, with the ability to supply power, cooling and heating, clean water, and communications when residents need it most.

Today, many of NYCHA’s community centers lack reliable backup power, efficient HVAC systems, and the infrastructure needed to remain operational during extreme weather events. Increasing risks from summer heat waves, flooding, and other severe storms are placing new strains on buildings that were never designed to handle such conditions. These vulnerabilities threaten not only the physical stability of the centers but also their ability to serve residents when they are needed most. At the same time, these spaces continue to function as essential social anchors—providing programs, resources, and a sense of connection for thousands of NYCHA residents across the city.

The WXY and ARUP team met with NYCHA staff, community members, and on-site teams to understand their needs and tailor solutions to each site. Through site visits and stakeholder interviews, the team identified both technical constraints and community priorities, shaping responsive, scalable design strategies grounded in local realities. Each recommendation balances feasibility and performance, with a focus on systems that can be maintained within NYCHA’s operational framework. The result goes beyond a singular prototype and creates a contextual approach that can grow across the system.

WXY worked with NYCHA to find pilot sites that ensured a range of typologies and locations throughout the city that were representative of NYCHA assets. 

The pilot sites included freestanding, semi-attached, and ground-floor community centers, selected to represent the full range of NYCHA community center typologies.

Proposed retrofits include installing solar panels and battery energy storage systems to provide 24-hour backup power, along with energy-efficient HVAC systems and upgraded insulation to reduce energy demand. Stormwater strategies—such as rain gardens, permeable paving and deployable barriers—will help manage runoff and reduce flood risks. Reconfigured layouts including at entrances will enhance accessibility and wayfinding, ensuring that all residents can navigate and use the spaces comfortably. Durable, flexible, and reconfigurable furnishings will allow each hub to adapt to a wide range of programs and community needs. The resulting upgraded centers will serve as both welcoming gathering places and vital neighborhood safety nets.

If implemented, the pilot resilience hubs could support thousands of NYCHA residents in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. Each location is within a 10-minute walk and designed to address local climate risks with cooling infrastructure, drainage improvements, and battery systems that provide 24 hours of backup power. Energy upgrades have the potential to reduce usage by up to 50 percent. Programming includes climate education, job training, and financial literacy, reinforcing both everyday use and emergency readiness. With more than 350 community centers in the NYCHA network, the study offers a foundation for citywide transformation.