MUD Workshop

Design + Planning


Resilient Sullivan




Sullivan County spans a vast landscape of forests, farms, hamlets, and seasonal communities. As aging systems, climate risks, and rising development pressures strain public services, the Resilient Sullivan Plan provides a coordinated framework to guide land use, infrastructure investment, and long-term climate adaptation across the county.

ProjectResilient Sullivan

LocationSullivan County, NY

ClientSullivan County, NYS Department of State

CollaboratorsBFJ Planning, Urbanomics, eDesign Dynamics, thread collective

ServicesClimate-Adaptive Design, Visioning, Outreach and Engagement, Mobility and Streetscapes



Sullivan County faces overlapping challenges: aging infrastructure, flood-prone roadways, underfunded emergency services, and zoning that fails to reflect current needs. As tourism and second-home development intensify, land prices rise and farmland disappear. Utilities are inconsistent, especially in outlying areas, and new housing is often unaffordable or disconnected from village centers. Many residents live far from healthcare, grocery stores, and jobs. Without countywide coordination or place-specific planning tools, local governments struggled to adapt to climate pressures, protect vulnerable residents, or guide sustainable growth.


Natural beauty of Sullivan County


MUD Workshop served as urban design and engagement lead for the Resilient Sullivan Plan. Working alongside BFJ Planning, Urbanomics, eDesign Dynamics, and thread collective, we facilitated direct engagement with officials from all 21 municipalities and conducted focused outreach with farmers, emergency service providers, and local agencies. We established a typology of eight place types - such as hamlets, agricultural corridors, and seasonal resort areas - to structure land use strategies and zoning guidance across the county. Our work emphasized compact, connected growth near existing infrastructure, preservation of productive farmland, and strategies to reduce the cost of essential service delivery.


Adopted in 2025, Resilient Sullivan now serves as the county’s official roadmap for climate adaptation, land use, and sustainable development. Its place-type framework allows individual municipalities to act independently while still contributing to shared countywide goals. The plan has already informed follow-on projects, including the Countywide Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan, launched later that year. With Resilient Sullivan in place, the County has a clear path to guide infrastructure investment, protect natural resources, and support long-term resilience for its residents.


Community Feedback
Sullivan County Mapping and Research



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Natural beauty of Sullivan County
Sullivan County Mapping and Research
Sullivan Municipality Factsheet Factsheet
Community Feedback
Resilient Sullivan Dashboard


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