City-owned land in Boston’s booming Seaport district is vulnerable to flooding, a condition that will only worsen with climate-induced sea-level rise.
To address this threat, city officials have instituted developer fees as a condition to build in the area to help finance a seawall and other protective infrastructure. Cost estimates to protect the 191-acre area are as high as $124 million.
Without any resiliency measures, the area would otherwise be prone to regular flooding as soon as the 2030s, and could be largely under water at high tide by the end of the century. Developers are designing properties to be flood resilient, but a seawall would protect properties from utility outages and flooded roads.
The program, the Climate Resiliency Fund, is modelled on programs that collect developer fees for affordable housing funds or for park space or infrastructure upgrades.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Sep 11, 2018
Smart Surfaces Coalition will help cities reduce urban heat island effect
Surfaces can reflect away heat and help prevent flooding.
Codes and Standards | Sep 7, 2018
Certified Green Buildings may have an advantage in capital markets
Research supports financial case for certification.
Codes and Standards | Sep 7, 2018
NIST releases report outlining steps to bolster disaster resiliency
Offers immediate occupancy building codes and performance standards strategies.
Codes and Standards | Sep 6, 2018
Coalition of mayors around the globe pledge net-zero buildings by 2030
New construction to produce as much energy as it consumes.
Codes and Standards | Sep 5, 2018
New White Paper on Metal Panel Fire Safety Released
Has detailed information for insulation, fire safety requirements in U.S., other countries.
Codes and Standards | Aug 31, 2018
Trade war could make adaptive reuse more attractive
Higher cost of building materials could make rehab a better financial bet.
Codes and Standards | Aug 30, 2018
Metrics should guide strategy for schools seeking LEED certification
Assessing current status helps direct where improvements can have greatest impact.
Codes and Standards | Aug 29, 2018
The 2018 IAPMO solar and swimming pool codes now available
For installation and inspection of public and private swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs.
Codes and Standards | Aug 28, 2018
New York’s green roof program needs reform
Despite incentives, few owners add vegetative roofs.
Codes and Standards | Aug 24, 2018
Resilience, sustainability emphasized in plans for new 23,000-acre city in the Philippines
“A backup for when Manila fails.”
