Boston has enacted new rules to help buildings withstand climate change.
The Boston Planning & Development Agency approved the new rules recently with the aims of helping to minimize flooding, keep the lights on in more buildings during power outages, and make it easier to upgrade street lights and other public works. Developments of 1.5 million sf or larger will need to assess installing an on-site power plant, and would have to build one if it’s financially feasible.
The largest developments will also have to consolidate all wiring for cable, Internet, and other telecom services into one underground tube to minimize disruption to streets and sidewalks during repairs. Any new development greater than 100,000 sf will have to retain more rainfall than currently required to help prevent runoff during storms from contributing to floods.
Developers of projects greater than 50,000 sf would need to install extra wiring and technology for smart traffic signals and street lights if the projects require new or improved signals or lights. The rules will undergo a two-year testing period.
Related Stories
| Aug 27, 2014
Napa Valley assesses impact of structural retrofits on buildings after earthquake
About 30 inspection teams of two inspectors each have conducted at least quick exterior inspections of downtown Napa, Calif., buildings since a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the region.
| Aug 27, 2014
Liberty Building Forensics cautions hotel building teams on moisture, mold issues
Liberty Building Forensics Group, a building forensics firm warned building teams working on hotel projects to be on guard against moisture intrusion and mold.
| Aug 27, 2014
Requirement for site safety inspectors hampering construction in New York City
New York City’s regulation that requires contractors to hire independent safety inspectors for job sites is holding up projects worth millions of dollars, contractors say.
| Aug 27, 2014
Turkish government orders demolition of residential towers in Istanbul
Citing negative effects to a world heritage site, the Turkish central government has ruled that the recently completed OnaltiDokuz Residence towers must be demolished.
| Aug 21, 2014
Industry groups agree to streamline green building tool coordination and development
Major building industry groups the International Code Council (ICC), ASHRAE, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES), and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) have agreed to collaborate on the development of Standard 189.1, the International Green Construction Code (IgCC), and the LEED green building program.
| Aug 21, 2014
Performance-based zoning: U.S. cities starting to loosen zoning regulations
Driven by New Urbanism, more than two dozen communities in the U.S. have loosened zoning restrictions in recent years.
| Aug 21, 2014
Meeting to finalize amendments to green property underwriting standard
The National Public Meeting for Resiliency + Infrastructure Consensus Underwriting Standard Amendments will take place September 16, from 9 a.m.-12p.m. at Perkins+Will, 1250 24th St. NW, Washington, DC in the World Wildlife Fund Building.
| Aug 21, 2014
American Iron and Steel Institute revises 14 test standards
The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) published 14 revised test standards in its S900-series.
| Aug 14, 2014
Mississippi county rejects adoption of state building code
The county board of supervisors voted unanimously to opt out of the state building code.
| Aug 14, 2014
Boards at odds over North Carolina county’s CM-at-Risk policy
Some local small contractors are not pleased with the school board’s CM-at-Risk policy that was instituted in 2007. The county’s board of commissioners has offered a sympathetic ear to their complaints
