Data & Privacy Pilot
Project overview
UrbanSense, in partnership with the Center for Governmental Research (CGR), the Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC), and the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP), is conducting a comprehensive study of community vitality in the West of Hudson Watershed region. This project examines the economic, social, and environmental health of watershed towns and provides actionable insights to strengthen both community well-being and long-term water quality protection.
Client:
Location: Arkville, New York
Services:
Segment: Government
Industry:
Background
New York City and surrounding towns and counties depend on its upstate watershed system to deliver over one billion gallons of clean drinking water each day to nearly 9 million residents. The success of this system is built on a delicate balance: ensuring water quality while supporting the vitality of rural watershed communities.
The West of Hudson Watershed spans five counties—Delaware, Schoharie, Ulster, Sullivan, and Greene—home to dozens of towns and villages that play a crucial role in safeguarding this natural resource. The Catskill Watershed Corporation was established to invest in programs that protect water quality while fostering community and economic development.
Recognizing that water quality protection cannot be separated from community health, CWC engaged CGR and UrbanSense to assess current “vitality” conditions and provide recommendations. This study focuses on economic opportunities, social resilience, and environmental sustainability, ensuring that watershed towns thrive while continuing their vital stewardship role.
UrbanSense Approach
UrbanSense, working closely with CGR and local partners, is applying a data-driven and community-centered approach to this study. Key components include:
Vitality Assessment: Measuring economic health, employment, social and physical well-being, and environmental indicators across watershed towns.
Comparative Analysis: Benchmarking watershed communities against similar towns and Counties outside the watershed to identify unique strengths and challenges.
Regulatory and Development Review: Evaluating land-use regulations, development opportunities, and barriers that impact both community growth and water protection.
Funding and Opportunity Mapping: Identifying funding sources, employment opportunities, and recreation assets that can support long-term vitality.
Community Engagement: Incorporating voices from local stakeholders to ensure recommendations align with community needs and values.
Outcomes
The outcomes from this study will be a baseline report against which future generations of watershed communities can benchmark themselves, and recommendations for how to maintain and grow strong, vital communities within the West of Hudson Watershed.
See Also:
NYC Proptech Pilot
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INSIGHTS
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