Though the contentious debate on whether or not climate change is perpetuated by the hand of man rages on, the world’s sea levels are slowly but surely rising. As evidenced by the devastation Hurricane Sandy inflicted upon New York City, the Jersey Shore and much of the Eastern seaboard, the overwhelming power of water is impossible to combat when a community is unprepared. That’s why Mayor Marty Walsh is soliciting design ideas so that Boston can continue to thrive while keeping dry.
On Friday morning, August 1, City of Boston officials, the Boston Redevelopment Authority and The Boston Harbor Association (TBHA) took to the Charlestown Navy Yard to announce an international competition, calling for dextrous design solutions that will allow three high-risk areas of Boston’s waterfront to adapt to climate change.
“The City of Boston continues to be a national leader on climate preparedness,” said Mayor Walsh in a statement. “This design competition will bring concepts and ideas from around the world, such as those in the Boston Harbor Association’s new report, to fruition in Boston.”
Design teams comprised of individuals, who specialize in various disciplines, will aim to tackle three issues facing Boston’s waterfront: 1) How existing buildings can adapt to climate change; 2) How space between buildings and connective infrastructure can become more resilient; and 3) How existing infrastructure can be maintained and improved upon.
“Boston is one of the beautiful cities of the world,” remarked Kairos Shen, Director of Planning at the BRA. “We want to continue to be a leader of design and an example for the world. This has an urgency that other urban design don’t have.”
Added Brian Swett, Chief of Environment and Energy for the City of Boston, “This is not a piecemeal approach, this is a comprehensive approach.”
The competition announcement comes alongside a report recently released by TBHA and design firm Sasaki Associates which boasts an arsenal of able-minded staff members who have experience working on projects in post disaster communities subjected to major flood events.
The report, Designing with Water: Creative Examples from Around the Globe (see: below), provides an assessment of Boston’s vulnerability to rising sea levels and subsequent water damage. It also examines various buildings and cities around the world that have implemented best practices and infrastructure that not only reduce flooding damage, but allows for the community to continue to operate alongside the water rather than attempt in vain to keep water out.
According to the report’s executive summary, “Over the last century, sea level in Boston Harbor has increased by approximately one foot. Low lying areas of Boston, including Long Wharf and Morrissey Boulevard, already flood multiple times each year during astronomical high tides (known locally as wicked high tides).”
The sheer strength of storms have increased dramatically as well, so much so that superstorms like Sandy could become an annual occurrence by the year 2100. By that time, one third of Boston is likely to be submerged in the harbor.
In compiling data for the report, researchers found that five key principles emerged that truly ought to be considered when design renderings are submitted: design for resilience, create double-duty solutions, strengthen community resilience, incentivize and institutionalize preparedness, and phase plans over time.
Further details about the competition will be announced by the BRA and partnering organizations this fall. Get your plans ready.
Designing With Water full report
Image via Yours Truly
