As the Walsh administration begins to identify short- and long-term priorities, it is clear that climate change adaptation will need to be a part of Boston’s on-going efforts to ensure a resilient city in the face of rising sea levels and more frequent storm surges.
The January 2014 nor’easter, which flooded segments of the Innovation District and North End HarborWalk, was another near miss for much of Boston. Had the January storm’s surge peaked at high tide midday instead of closer to low tide, the impacts upon waterfront neighborhoods could have been much more devastating. Over the longer term, as outlined in The Boston Harbor Association’s 2013 “Preparing for the Rising Tide” report following Hurricane Sandy, various scenarios of rising sea levels, together with storm surges, indicate potentially vast areas of the waterfront and even inland areas being flooded routinely.
Mayor Marty Walsh’s reappointment of Brian Swett as the city’s chief of environment and energy is an excellent first step towards continued climate change preparedness. During the coming months, as the city drafts its updated 2014 Climate Action Plan, attention will need to focus on accelerated preparedness measures for public and private buildings and infrastructure. The city’s new economic development chief, who will have oversight of the Boston Redevelopment Authority and other agencies, should work closely with Swett and his staff in ensuring that all future development incorporate proactive measures to safeguard coastal assets at risk.
Education Needed
Waterfront property owners and developers would benefit greatly from educational sessions on innovative ways to develop resilient projects. At a recent Boston Conservation Commission meeting, for example, representatives for a waterfront developer presented building plans for an office building with underground parking consistent with a Municipal Harbor Plan Amendment approved in 2000.
The construction documents were prepared by an experienced engineering firm and stamped by a licensed engineer. Upon questioning, however, both the conservation commissioners and the developer’s representatives realized that there may be additional opportunities to ensure a more resilient project combining both green infrastructure and design features to further protect the building and its underground uses. Twice-yearly educational sessions on newest design practices and green infrastructure for climate change preparedness should be offered to public and private sector professionals, as well as to residents who serve on relevant city boards and commissions.
Walsh has a ready ally in Gov. Deval Patrick, who recently announced $50 million in funding to assess and address vulnerabilities related to climate change. Following up on their joint appearance, Walsh should enlist the governor and others in promoting a thoughtful review of the state’s building code to see how best the state code can support climate change preparedness. Such an effort will need to involve numerous stakeholders across the commonwealth and in coastal communities such as Boston, and may result in recommendations will require the leadership of Mayor Walsh and other public officials to ensure implementation. We look forward to Walsh and his administration’s continuing efforts to promote resilient waterfront neighborhoods while protecting critical public infrastructure.
Vivien Li is president of The Boston Harbor Association, www.tbha.org. Email: vli@tbha.org
