Rohit T. Aggarwala: New York's Climate Future

In this episode of The Century of Cities, Rohit T. Aggarwala, Commissioner of NYC Environmental Protection and former Chief Climate Officer, reflects on a century of urban change through the lens of New York's environmental, infrastructural, and governance evolution. He traces the city's trajectory from the fiscal and environmental crises of the late twentieth century to its present condition, marked by cleaner air and water, renewed waterfronts, and the pressures that accompany urban demand. He argues that climate change will eclipse affordability and growth as the defining urban challenge. He outlines a pragmatic understanding of resilience, one that prioritizes protection of life, housing, and core systems over the pursuit of uninterrupted normalcy. From stormwater and coastal defences to mobility and water management, the discussion emphasizes the need for long-term investment, institutional flexibility, and political leadership capable of navigating disruption. The future of cities, he suggests, will depend on the capacity to make difficult choices early, at scale, and with a clear understanding of risk.