The River Campus is one of the most unique educational landscapes in New York City. The Riverdale area of the Bronx is one of the few sections that was not completely bulldozed and filled in to make way for outward urban expansion. As a result, the neighborhood is known for its signature meandering hills and valleys, the sort of topography that existed on the island of Manhattan before New York City was ever a thing.

With long vies out over the Hudson River and ample space to spill out into a neighboring park, the River Campus offers a special opportunity for youth to engage with and better understand the ecology of their campus. As one of the last relatively flat plateaus of land before meeting the river, the campus also has a special opportunity to highlight the integration of resilient water management strategies.

As part of our work, we explored ways to reorganize the campus to showcase these unique qualities while also offering opportunities to include curriculum and involve students in the development process.