First released in 2015, WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) is a national rating system and gold standard for waterfront design. It is the catalyst for ecology, access, and climate resilience at the water’s edge through site verification, policy, and professional training. A decade later, Waterfront Alliance has achieved a significant milestone: over 1,000 individuals have participated in the WEDG Professionals Course and earned their WEDG Associate credential.

The WEDG Professionals Course provides a deep dive into the six categories and 37 credits that make up the WEDG rating system. The course features architects, landscape architects, developers, and engineers who share case studies of WEDG Verified projects that have successfully implemented the standard’s best practices for waterfront design. Participants earn the WEDG Associate credential upon completing the course and passing an open-book exam.

"Waterfront Alliance is proud to celebrate its achievement of surpassing over 1,000 accredited WEDG Associates,” said Waterfront Alliance President and CEO, Cortney Koenig Worrall. “This milestone is a testament to WEDG as an educational tool and the dedicated professionals across the country who are pushing to improve and prepare their local waterfronts for the future of climate change.”

WEDG Associates are leaders of the waterfront – striving to protect environmental resources, foster resilience for generations to come, and create equitable public access. WEDG Associates range from professionals in architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, environmental science, urban planning, real estate, maritime industries, community advocacy, education, local and state agencies, and many more sectors.

 “The WEDG Associate credential is foundational for understanding the climate challenges facing our waterfronts today. It is exciting to see participants continuously come out of the course with design strategies, best practices, and a drive to create positive change on the waterfront,” said Waterfront Alliance Chief Waterfront Design Officer, Joseph Sutkowi. “I look forward to the network growing even stronger and building lasting impact together.”

Following the national expansion of the standard in 2018, the network also extended across the country. Now, WEDG Associates are represented across 33 U.S. states and abroad, with a majority located in New York, Florida, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and California, forming an international network of waterfront leaders. 

WEDG Professionals Course: Training Opportunities

→ Anyone interested in participating in the WEDG Professionals Course can become a certified WEDG Associate. Sign up for our next livestream training on July 30-31, 2025, or on-demand training anytime. The course offers credits for the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and American Institute of Architects (AIA).

→ Waterfront Alliance currently offers three no-cost/reduced-cost training opportunities:  

1. Mississippi River Basin: Individuals working on environmental, flooding, or water-related issues in states along the Mississippi River may qualify to take the WEDG Professionals Course for free or at a reduced cost. Funding provided by the Walton Family Foundation. Check your eligibility here. 

2. New York State M/WBEs & SDVOBs: Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) and/or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOB) working in Disadvantaged Communities in New York State may qualify to take the course for free. Funding provided by Ørsted. Check your eligibility here. 

3. Former Federal Employees: Waterfront Alliance invites those public servants who have been dismissed by the Trump administration to participate in our WEDG (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) Professionals Course at no cost. It is our sincere hope that the WEDG Associate credential, earned by more than 1,000 professionals nationwide, can serve you in your job search. Apply here. 

→ Looking to bring WEDG to your community? Contact Joseph Sutkowi, Chief Waterfront Design Officer, at jsutkowi@waterfrontalliance.org. 

Testimonials 

“In the face of climate change, WEDG has been a crucial resource for the New York City Economic Development Corporation in developing sustainable, equitable, and resilient waterfront communities across New York City,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO, Andrew Kimball. “We are proud to work with WEDG to develop bold projects like Bronx Point, the first affordable housing project to be verified through the national WEDG standard, and future home to the Universal Hip Hop Museum with over 2.3 acres of resilient waterfront park. The WEDG guidelines and principles ensures our waterfronts are designed for future adaptability while supporting rigor and creativity across the board.” 

“As New Yorkers confront more extreme weather events due to climate change, government and our partners need strong data tools to help us reduce flood risk,” said New York City Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice Executive Director, Elijah Hutchinson. “The WEDG system and guidelines are a critical resource in New York City, helping us protect critical infrastructure and residents of affordable and public housing from coastal storms while ensuring waterfront access and open space.” 

"In response to the constantly evolving challenges posed by climate change, the Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines have proven to be an invaluable resource, aiding us in the pursuit of a safer, more inclusive, and sustainable future for our waterfront communities," said Curtis + Rogers Design Studio Principal, Aida Curtis.

“Arup is pleased to be working with Waterfront Alliance to build WEDG’s resilient, ecological, and accessible principles into its projects,” said Arup Associate Principal, Americas East Resilience Leader, Ilana Judah. “We are proud to have worked on sites that earned WEDG Verification and that we can advocate for adherence to WEDG with our clients across the country.” 

“With rapid social and environmental changes, we need waterfront developments to be more inclusive, nature-positive and to thrive economically. As part of our commitment to climate response at Jacobs, we strive to support our clients by developing more resilient waterfront sites. Guidelines such as WEDG represent a critical step forward, expanding the guidelines to inland communities.” said Jacobs Americas Coastal Resilience Director, Luce Bassetti.

“As cities reimagine waterfronts for open space, walkability, and new industries like offshore wind, WEDG is an indispensable tool for ensuring we create resilient, equitable spaces. The WEDG on-demand professionals' course is a crucial training resource for our team, enhancing our community impact analysis for government agencies and developers building along the waterfront,” said Karp Strategies, Founding Principal and CEO, Rebecca Karp.

"The Waterfront Alliance's continued efforts in developing, maintaining and expanding the Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines over the last decade have set the standard for holistic design approaches for resilient waterfront infrastructure, with the release of WEDG 3.0 continuing to provide designers, engineers and waterfront developers a clear path to maximizing the functionality and value of our waterfronts,” said ECOncrete CEO and Cofounder, Dr. Ido Sella. “Our WEDG certified professionals at ECOncrete look forward to the continued use of this pertinent guidance in their engagement with stakeholders as we continue our mission to support the development of our waterfronts." 

“The Waterfront Alliance’s Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines program provides user-friendly, accessible ways to design for climate resilience, public enjoyment, and ecosystems, at our water’s edge,” said Environmental Defense Fund Director of Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds, New York – New Jersey, Kate Boicourt. “With a rapidly changing climate and increasing flood hazards across the nation, we need tools like WEDG to help guide how to design for both today and tomorrow in a way that benefits people and nature.”