Johanna R. Lovecchio

Director, Impact Programs, Office of Engagement and Impact, Columbia Climate School

Adjunct , M.A. in Climate and Society

Columbia Climate School

Hogan Hall
2910 Broadway
MC 3277
New York, NY 10025

BIOGRAPHY:

Johanna Lovecchio is Director of Impact Programs at Columbia Climate School, where she leads interdisciplinary programs to drive climate action and collaboration. She co-directs the Coastal Resilience and Earth Network, sits on the Steering Committee for the Environmental and Climate Justice Project at Columbia and teaches as Adjunct Faculty of Climate. She leads the Earth Studio in partnership with GSAPP’s Urban Design Program, which brings together design, policy, and climate to explore action in communities facing the most severe impacts of climate change and well as the Adaptation Accelerator Initiative. 

Her work focuses on climate adaptation, environmental justice, and resilience planning across socio-ecological systems and the built environment. Previously, she served as Associate Director of the Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, where she led the Resilience Accelerator with global partners like the Resilient Reefs Initiative and 100 Resilient Cities. Earlier roles at HR&A Advisors and NYC’s Department of City Planning advanced major coastal infrastructure and recovery efforts in New York City, across the US, and internationally.

Johanna holds a Master of Urban Planning and dual B.A.s from NYU. She serves on the Climigration Network Leadership Council and is happiest near the ocean or learning alongside her students.

PUBLICATIONS

Marques, C., de Sherbinin, A., Lovecchio, J., Briggs, A., Fontes, L.. Understanding the Impacts of Climate Change on Vulnerable Populations and Promoting Climate Resilience in Rio de Janeiro - Workshop Report and Findings. 2024. [Forthcoming] \

Lovecchio, J., Sahay, S., Economics and Valuation of Nature Based Solutions. in Rosenzweig, C., W. Solecki, Pathak, M., Barata, M., Salisu Barau, A., Dombrov, M., Climate Change and Cities: Third Assessment Report of the Urban Climate Change Research Network. Cambridge University Press. New York. 2024. [Forthcoming] 

Orff, K., Lovecchio, J., Pawlowski, T., Chavez, A., Da Cunha, D., Mehta, G., Herasme, C. Earth Studio: Climate Adaptation from Ridge to Reef in the Caribbean. 2024. Columbia Climate School Climate and Society Program, Columbia GSAPP Urban Design Program Water Urbanisms Studio. [Forthcoming] 

Climigration Network. Who owns the land? Exploring possibilities and limitations of collective land and housing models to respond to climate driven displacement and relocation. 2024. [Forthcoming] 

Lovecchio, J., Madero, M.,  Tochterman, J.,  Zack, K. More than a Roof and Four Walls: Exploring Principles, Process, and Possibilities for Climate Justice and Resilience through Housing and Land Rights in Cartagena in Karunaratne, G., Resilient Urbanisms. Routledge Books. London. 2024. 

Lovecchio, J., Cintron, I., Girithian, A. Coastal Resilience Earth Network: Harnessing Columbia’s Resources to Drive COP28 Breakthroughs. Coastal Resilience Earth Network, Columbia University. 19 Feb. 2024. https://bit.ly/3yIexuz

Envisioning a Regenerative, Resilient, and Just East Portland, Jamaica: A Collaborative Strategy Workshop.  Columbia University Climate School, Alligator Head Foundation, TBA21 Academy. Jan. 2024.  https://bit.ly/3SVPD1o

2023 

Lovecchio, J., Cintron, I., Girithian, A. Blue Economy and Ocean Justice? What Can We Expect from COP28? Coastal Resilience Earth Network, Columbia University. 29 Nov. 2023. https://bit.ly/46Mo4gR

Columbia Climate School Releases Carbon Markets, Nature, Rights, and Climate Justice Roundtable Report Ahead of COP28. State of the Planet, Columbia Climate School, 28 Nov. 2023. https://bit.ly/3M64xP3 

Carbon Markets, Nature, Rights and Climate Justice – Intersectional Roundtable Report and Policy Recommendations. Columbia University Climate School, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Namati, Grassroots Justice Network, Columbia World Projects. Nov. 2023. https://bit.ly/46MOy1P 

Orff, K., Lovecchio, J., Pawlowski, T., Chavez, A., Da Cunha, D., Mehta, G., Imagining Climate Justice and Resilience - Colombia: Double Displacement at the Water’s Edge. Columbia University. Columbia Climate School Climate and Society Program, Columbia GSAPP Urban Design Program Water Urbanisms Studio. May. 2023. https://bit.ly/3MbCNbO

Climate Ready Uptown Plan. WE ACT for Environmental Justice. Feb. 2023. https://bit.ly/3Tg3rnV 

2022

Trialing Reef Restoration for Resilience: A Framework for Experimental Research, Co-Design, and Management in the Case of Ningaloo. Columbia University Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes with Resilient Reefs Initiative, Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Resilient Cities Catalyst, Yirrganydji Traditional Owners, Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).  Jun. 2022. https://bit.ly/3yIjmUG 

Healing Sea Country and Restoring the Reef: Workshop with Traditional Owners. Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, Ningaloo Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions (DBCA), MARS Sustainable Solutions, Minderoo Foundation, Resilient Reefs Initiative. Nov. 2021. https://bit.ly/4fLrIM1 

Defining Resilient Coastal Development in Belize, Resilient Reefs Urban Design Studio and Accelerator Workshop. Columbia University Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, Coastal Zone Management Authority of Belize, National Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation of Belize, Belize National Ministry of Fisheries, Resilient Reefs Initiative, University of Belize, Columbia Center for Climate Systems Research. Mar. 2022.  https://bit.ly/4dMjD7X

Orff, K., Lovecchio, J., Pawlowski, T., Chavez, A., Da Cunha, D., Mehta, G., Resilient  Belize, Resilient Reefs Urban Design Studio. Columbia University Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, Columbia University GSAPP, Coastal Zone Management Authority of Belize, National Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation of Belize, Belize National Ministry of Fisheries, Resilient Reefs Initiative, University of Belize. Mar. 2022. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/dad148563c6041269894fc00ef42d405

 

2021

Orff, K., Lovecchio, J., Pawlowski, T., Basic, G. Redefining Resilience. Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes 2020 Annual Report. 2021. https://bit.ly/4dwhbmn 

Lovecchio, J., Basic, G., Pawlowski, T. "Urban Heat, Vulnerability, and the Public Realm: Lessons from Tel Aviv-Yafo and Implications for COVID-19 Recovery." Geography Research Forum, vol. 40, 2021, p. 108. https://bit.ly/4csr2bx 

2020

Resilient Development Through Urban, Social and Ecological Infrastructure in South Tel Aviv-Yafo, Great Rift Valley. Columbia GSAPP Urban Design Program Water Urbanism Studio. May 2020. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/c5c8a61829b54523bafcb87d575ffd91 

Resilience Accelerator: Tel Aviv-Yafo Urban Heat, Equity, and the Future of the Public Realm. Columbia University Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, Columbia Center for Climate Systems Research, Tel Aviv University Urban Climatology Lab, TLV-Y Resilience Office, TLV-Y Office of the City Architect, Resilient Cities Catalyst. Jan. 2020.  https://bit.ly/46Pej1j 

Urban Heat, Equity, and the Future of the Public Realm. Resilience Accelerator Tel Aviv-Yafo. ESRI Story Map.  Jan. 2020. https://www.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=f713e4b

Heat Vulnerability in Los Angeles County: Resources and Methodology Review. Columbia University Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, Los Angeles County Department of Sustainability, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Mar. 2019. https://bit.ly/46RXMcU 

2019

Orff, K., Lovecchio, J., Pawlowski, T., Basic, G. Toward Resilient Cities and Landscapes: Selected Works. Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, 100 Resilient Cities. Apr. 2019. https://bit.ly/3YMtSow 

"Understanding Risk: Coral Reefs Under Stress." Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, 100 Resilient Cities, Great Barrier Reef Foundation. Sept. 2019. https://bit.ly/3SU65zj 

Nature-Based Infrastructure and Policy: Can Tho River Delta. Columbia University Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, 100 Resilient Cities, Can Tho City Resilience Office, The Delta Research and Global Observation Network, Mekong Institute. Jun. 2019. https://bit.ly/3X8b9Tl 

A Step Up: Designing for Regional Resilience, Governance, and Finance. Columbia University Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, 100 Resilient Cities, RiverLA, City of Los Angeles, Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti. Sept. 2019. https://bit.ly/3WREdND 

Designing for Regional Climate Resilience: Southwest Florida Resilience Accelerator, Workshop Report. Columbia University Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, 100 Resilient Cities, The Miami Foundation, Resilient 305, Southeast Florida Climate Change Compact. Aug. 2018. https://bit.ly/3WHj2h2 

2018

Resilient by Design Bay Area Challenge: The Grand Bayway. 

TLS Landscape Architecture , Exploratorium, Guy Nordenson & Assoc, Michael Maltzan Arch, HR&A Advisors, Sitelab Urban Studio, Lotus Water, Rana Creek. Dr. John Oliver, Richard Hindle, UC Berkeley, Fehr & Peers Transportation Consultants.  Jul. 2019. https://rebuildbydesign.org/work/projects/the-grand-bayway/ 

Lower Manhattan Climate Resilience Study. New York City Economic Development Corporation, NYC Mayor’s Office of Resilience.  Mar. 2019. https://edc.nyc/sites/default/files/filemanager/Projects/LMCR/Final_Image/Lower_Manhattan_Climate_Resilience_March_2019.pdf 

Resilient Los Angeles. Office of Mayor Garcetti, City of Los Angeles, 100 Resilient Cities. Mar. 2018. 

https://resilientcitiesnetwork.org/downloadable_resources/Network/Los-Angeles-Resilience-Strategy-English.pdf 

 

Pre- 2018

Preliminary Outcome Evaluation The National Disaster Resilience Competition’s Resilience Academies. The Urban Institute, Rockefeller Foundation. Dec. 2016. https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/88886/ndrc_resilience_academies_evaluation_0.pdf 

City of Boulder Resilience Strategy. City of Boulder, 100 Resilient Cities. 2016.  https://resilientcitiesnetwork.org/downloadable_resources/Network/Boulder-Resilience-Strategy-English.pdf 

Place-Based Community Brownfield Planning Foundation Report on Existing Conditions. Stapleton, Staten Island. NYC Office of Environmental Remediation, NYS Department of State, NYC Department of City Planning. Mar. 2016. https://www.nyc.gov/assets/oer/downloads/pdf/stapleton.pdf 

Place-Based Community Brownfield Planning Foundation Report on Existing Conditions: Red Hook, Brooklyn. NYC Office of Environmental Remediation, NYS Department of State, NYC Department of City Planning. Sept. 2014.  https://www.nyc.gov/assets/oer/downloads/pdf/red-hook-brooklyn.pdf

Place-Based Community Brownfield Planning Foundation Report on Existing Conditions: Harlem Gateway. NYC Office of Environmental Remediation, NYS Department of State, NYC Department of City Planning. Dec. 2015. https://www.nyc.gov/assets/oer/downloads/pdf/harlem-gateway.pdf 

“Step 1 Prenomination Study, Brownfield Opportunity Area Program." NYC Department. of City Planning, NYS Department of State, Northfield Community LDC, 1 Jun. 2013, Port Richmond, NY. Public Presentation. https://www.nyc.gov/assets/planning/download/pdf/plans-studies/port-richmond-boa/presentation_0613.pdf