09/04/2026
The proactive planning and regulation of New York City’s physical infrastructure are vital to the city’s functioning and environmental safety. This massive, multidimensional responsibility includes thoroughly evaluating the ground conditions of prospective construction sites for hazardous material risks and managing the built systems that accommodate and transport stormwater—a job that has become increasingly important as rainfall events become more frequent and more intense. Upholding this commitment and adapting to ongoing environmental shifts ensures that DDC’s work modernizes and sustains a thriving, resilient city.
Md Abu Raihan Chowdhury, a Senior Project Manager in DDC’s Office of Environmental and Hazmat Services, is a key staff member executing this work. He conducts rigorous site assessments while also working closely with DDC’s infrastructure team to finalize Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs). These frameworks ensure that construction runoff, loose sediment, and precipitation are managed responsibly before they impact neighborhood drainage or the operational flow of the city’s streets.
Impacted by his lived experiences in Bangladesh, where he frequently witnessed the impact of extreme rainfall and drainage challenges, Raihan’s work is driven by an awareness of the importance of carefully stewarding a city's streets and outfalls.
In 2022, after earning his PhD in Environmental Science from Kent State University and gaining extensive research experience, Raihan began working with DDC, motivated to translate his academic foundation into civil service.
Today, Raihan works in the early stages of the agency’s projects, identifying potential environmental hazards and ensuring SWPPPs are ready for NYC Department of Environmental Protection approval. Coordinating closely with partner agencies, including the NYC Departments of Transportation and Parks & Recreation, Raihan helps keep permitting for infrastructure projects on schedule, while ensuring compliance with NYC’s environmental regulations. His work has supported several major capital initiatives, including the Red Hook Coastal Resiliency Project and Lexington Avenue Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project. Since joining DDC, Raihan has successfully guided more than 35 projects through the SWPPP approval process.
Applying expertise in environmental research and interagency coordination to address complex current-day infrastructural challenges, Raihan’s work is essential to DDC’s mission of modernizing and protecting New York City’s built environment.
