Later this year, following public comments and review by a steering committee of business, government and community leaders, the city of Boston will issue its 2014 Climate Change Action Plan Update, Boston’s blueprint for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming, while ensuring preparedness for the unavoidable impacts of climate change and potential sea level rise.
As reported in Banker & Tradesman, since Superstorm Sandy in 2012, efforts have been underway to design for future flooding scenarios and continue Boston’s economic growth in the face of climate change. Proactive developers are elevating building foundations and entrances, moving mechanicals from basements to higher levels, and flood-proofing buildings.
Next year, the city of Boston, The Boston Harbor Association and the Boston Society of Architects are hosting an international design competition to foster creative design ideas for at-risk waterfront sites. The competition will solicit planning and design solutions that prepare three sites for current coastal flooding and future sea level rise.
Since its 2011 Climate Action Plan Update, the city of Boston has made considerable progress in assessing the vulnerabilities of its own facilities and infrastructure. Moving forward, the 2014 Climate Change Action Plan should emphasize the following:
Facilitate A Regional Approach To Climate Action
Gov. Deval Patrick and state environmental officials have made $50 million available to municipalities for climate action, including support for Boston’s design competition. Because planning for roadways, mass transit and water quality spans numerous municipalities, a strong regional approach is needed. Massport, Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and Boston Water and Sewer Commission are among the entities already assessing their vulnerabilities and planning accordingly.
Building on these efforts, the city of Boston should work with the new governor and the Legislature to ensure ongoing, regional climate change planning and capital funding of regional infrastructure, including mass transit, roadways, water supply and water quality, and energy. This should include providing the city of Boston an appointment on the MBTA Board, similar to the regional governance structure of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.
Following release of the 2014 update, Mayor Martin Walsh, city officials and others plan to host a regional climate change preparedness summit, which we strongly endorse. The Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Greater Boston’s regional planning agency, has been examining ways for municipalities to work together, and is a logical entity to continue to foster regional planning and information sharing.
Continue Efforts To Slow Sea Level Rise
As Boston and other cities look to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, additional efforts should be undertaken to make development projects less dependent on automobiles and truly transit-oriented. In recent years, developers and residents, particularly younger workers and empty-nesters returning to the city, have embraced newer transportation options: use of car-sharing options like Zipcar and bike-sharing programs such as Hubway continue to grow, while ridership on the MBTA’s new late-night weekend service has exceeded expectations. Forward-thinking developers like Related Beal and Berkeley Investments are no longer building parking in their new projects, but rather emphasizing their proximity to transit hubs North and South stations, respectively, and to water transportation.
Re-Think Waterfront ‘Open Space’
State regulations allow waterfront developers to meet 50 percent open space requirements by including all non-lot coverage areas, including sidewalks, streets and roadways, besides traditional “green” open spaces. The 2014 plan should promote greater permeability of all paved surfaces, particularly those considered “open space,” to help manage flood conditions. The city’s Open Space Plan is currently being updated as part of the eligibility process for state funding, and should reinforce the need for greater permeability of paved surfaces and increased tree canopy coverage to help lower temperatures in Boston’s neighborhoods.
The Boston Harbor Association and Sasaki Associates’ newly-released report, “Designing with Water: Creative Examples from Around the Globe,” provides case studies of flood-adaptive development strategies, including examples of successful green infrastructure in an urban environment. These and similar examples can help decrease potential flooding while making open spaces more attractive and usable.
Enhance Citizen Involvement
In May, Walsh kicked off the first-ever “Greenovate Boston Community Summit,” a day-long event empowering Boston residents to help address climate change. Hundreds of citizens, including innovators and community leaders, offered thoughtful, new ideas for how Boston neighborhoods can meet climate challenges. A similar annual community summit, hosted in a different neighborhood each year, will help to ensure an informed and engaged citizenry.
Boston has been a leader in climate action, and with continued involvement from property owners, businesses and residents, is well on its way to being the greenest, most climate-prepared city in the country.
Vivien Li is president of The Boston Harbor Association, www.tbha.org. She may be reached at vli@tbha.org.
