Dive Summary:

• Citing the damage to commercial and residential buildings caused by Hurricane Sandy, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg outlined recommendations to implement sweeping changes to the current city building codes.
• The proposed changes would make New York City the flagship city in the challenge to modernize building codes across the nation in an effort to guard against natural disasters. 
• Revisions to the current building codes would initially apply to new construction and large-scale renovations once they are approved by Council.

From the article:

"...Ms. Quinn, who has made the code changes a priority, said legislation was already being drafted to adopt the recommendations of the task force."

"...other cities had strengthened building codes after major storms but that New York’s approach was more comprehensive... New York is also addressing a broader range of issues because of its unique stock of skyscrapers."

"Russell Unger, chairman of the task force, which included more than 200 building experts, property owners and city officials, said the proposals reflected a fundamental change in thinking about how to deal with emergencies."