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East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) is one of the first large-scale urban resilience projects of its kind in the United States, with major sections now complete and open to the public. Stretching 2.4 miles along the East River, the project includes elevated and reconstructed parks and esplanades, with additional sections of East River Park scheduled to reopen ahead of full completion in 2027. Developed in response to Hurricane Sandy, ESCR is the first built segment of the The Big U—a broader vision for a continuous, 10-mile flood protection system around Lower Manhattan. Emerging from the Rebuild by Design initiative, the $1.45 billion project was led by the New York City Department of Design and Construction in collaboration with a multidisciplinary design team and local residents. It is designed to protect more than 110,000 people from storm-surge flooding. Spanning Montgomery Street to East 25th Street, ESCR reconnects communities to the waterfront by improving pedestrian access across major infrastructure and enhancing recreational spaces. The project integrates FEMA-certified flood protection—including berms, floodwalls, and deployable gates—into public landscapes, allowing the waterfront to function as both a protective system and a vibrant public amenity. East River Park has been raised by 8–10 feet using materials transported by barge, supporting new ballfields, courts, greenway connections, and gathering areas. The project also upgrades sewer systems to better manage stormwater. Beyond its physical design, ESCR establishes a model for interagency coordination and community-driven planning, offering a replicable framework for future coastal resilience projects.