RPA Statement on New York City Council passing OneLIC Neighborhood… – RPA | Regional Plan Association

Report on the OneLIC Neighborhood Plan and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Overview of the Plan

The recently approved OneLIC Neighborhood Plan is a comprehensive land use and zoning initiative for Long Island City. The plan’s primary objectives are to foster a more vibrant, resilient, and inclusive urban environment. Key projected outcomes include:

• The development of approximately 15,000 new homes.
• The provision of up to 4,800 permanently affordable housing units.
• The creation of new employment opportunities.
• Significant community investments.
• The establishment of a resilient waterfront.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The OneLIC Neighborhood Plan directly supports the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   The plan is fundamentally aligned with SDG 11 by promoting inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable urban development.

   • Target 11.1 (Affordable Housing): The commitment to create nearly 15,000 new homes, with a substantial portion (up to 4,800) designated as permanently affordable, directly addresses the need for adequate and affordable housing.
   • Target 11.3 (Inclusive Urbanization): The forward-looking zoning framework is designed to manage urban growth sustainably and enhance participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning.

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities & SDG 1: No Poverty

   By increasing the supply of affordable housing, the plan aims to reduce economic inequality and alleviate poverty.

   • The provision of permanently affordable homes helps to reduce the financial burden on low-income households, contributing to poverty reduction.
   • The initiative fosters a more inclusive community structure, mitigating economic segregation.

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   The plan is projected to stimulate local economic activity and job creation, supporting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.

   • The development and subsequent community investments are expected to generate new jobs within the neighborhood.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   A core component of the plan is enhancing climate resilience, which is central to SDG 13.

   • The development of a resilient waterfront is a direct measure to adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

Stakeholder Endorsement and Implementation

The plan has received positive endorsement from key urban planning organizations and governmental bodies.

• The Regional Plan Association (RPA) has formally applauded the passage of the plan.
• The City Council and the Department of City Planning have been commended for their roles in developing the rezoning initiative.
• Stakeholders anticipate the successful implementation of the plan to deliver on its housing, economic, and resilience goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected

   The article on the OneLIC Neighborhood Plan connects to several Sustainable Development Goals by focusing on urban development that is inclusive, resilient, and provides economic opportunities.

   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

     The plan’s commitment to the “creation of new jobs” directly supports the goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

     This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The plan aims to make Long Island City more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable through several key actions: providing “nearly 15,000 new homes, including up to 4,800 permanently affordable homes,” making “community investments,” and developing a “resilient waterfront.” The entire initiative is described as a “forward-looking land use and zoning plan” to create an “inclusive Long Island City,” which is the core mission of SDG 11.

   • SDG 13: Climate Action

     The article’s emphasis on creating a “resilient waterfront” and a “resilient” city points to climate action. This initiative is a direct measure to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards, such as flooding and sea-level rise, which are critical concerns for waterfront communities.

2. Specific Targets Identified

   Based on the article’s content, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

   • Target 8.5 (under SDG 8)

     “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men…” The plan’s goal for the “creation of new jobs” directly contributes to this target by expanding employment opportunities within the community.

   • Target 11.1 (under SDG 11)

     “By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services…” The plan’s primary deliverable of “nearly 15,000 new homes, including up to 4,800 permanently affordable homes,” is a direct and measurable action toward achieving this target.

   • Target 11.3 (under SDG 11)

     “By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning…” The passage of the “OneLIC Neighborhood Plan,” described as a “forward-looking land use and zoning plan” that promotes an “inclusive Long Island City,” exemplifies the kind of integrated planning this target encourages.

   • Target 13.1 (under SDG 13)

     “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.” The specific mention of creating a “resilient waterfront” is a clear strategy to build adaptive capacity against climate-related hazards like storms and flooding, directly aligning with this target.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

   The article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

   • Indicator for Target 11.1

     A direct, quantitative indicator is mentioned: the number of new housing units created (15,000) and, more specifically, the number of permanently affordable homes delivered (up to 4,800). This directly measures progress on providing access to affordable housing.

   • Indicator for Target 8.5

     An implied indicator is the “number of new jobs created.” While the article does not provide a specific figure, it establishes job creation as a key outcome of the plan, which can be tracked during its implementation.

   • Indicator for Target 11.3

     An implied indicator is the value of “community investments.” The implementation and budget allocated to these investments can be tracked to measure progress towards enhancing inclusive urbanization. The very existence and implementation of the “land use and zoning plan” also serves as a process indicator.

   • Indicator for Target 13.1

     A qualitative and project-based indicator is the successful development of a “resilient waterfront.” Progress could be measured by the completion of infrastructure projects designed to protect the area from climate-related hazards.

4. Summary Table of Findings

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators Identified in the Article
   SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.	Number of new homes created (15,000); Number of permanently affordable homes delivered (up to 4,800).
   SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all.	Number of new jobs created (implied).
   SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for integrated human settlement planning.	Implementation of the “land use and zoning plan”; Value of “community investments” (implied).
   SDG 13: Climate Action	Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.	Development and completion of a “resilient waterfront.”

Source: rpa.org