Boston has placed significant aspects of its plan to protect the city from rising sea levels on the actions of private developers. Amid a post-Covid commercial development slump, though, efforts to build protective infrastructure have stalled.
When officials approved major projects, they hoped that infrastructure improvements would both protect new developments and prevent flood waters from penetrating low-lying neighborhoods around them. Projects that include features such as sea walls, berms, and elevated land have been put on hold by a global real estate downturn that has made it difficult to finance large projects.
Inaction on planned coastal resilience infrastructure raises questions about the city’s plan of leaning on the private sector to help pay for an essential public good, according to a report in the Boston Globe. Most of the city’s coastline is privately held or controlled, leaving the city little other option than to partner with private landowners.
Prior to the pandemic, Boston was in the midst of a development boom in the Seaport district and other coastal locations, but the construction climate has cooled recently.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Nov 1, 2019
Resiliency of a community’s housing stock can be measured according to new benchmark
Metric can help municipalities prepare for disasters.
Codes and Standards | Oct 31, 2019
FEMA, ICC release updated guide on integrating I-Codes into floodplain management regulations
Provides advice on satisfying requirements for the National Flood Insurance Program.
Codes and Standards | Oct 30, 2019
ILFI releases new version of Living Building Challenge Framework for Affordable Housing
Document includes updated findings, case studies, new strategies for financing, designing, building affordable housing.
Codes and Standards | Oct 28, 2019
U.S. military demands landlords address health hazards in troop housing
Air Force threatens formal dispute process.
Codes and Standards | Oct 24, 2019
ASHRAE design contest winners demonstrate building resilience
Model building, a city hall, could operate without utility service for two weeks.
Codes and Standards | Oct 22, 2019
Efficient material design, low-carbon concrete are critical to cutting GHG emissions in construction
Enhancing building utilization and reusing materials also aid carbon reduction.
Codes and Standards | Oct 21, 2019
Historic properties not exempt from Americans With Disabilities Act
Some exceptions do apply.
Codes and Standards | Oct 18, 2019
St. Louis could save $61 million per year in energy costs by improved building performance
GHG gases can be reduced by at least 11% with upgrades to public buildings and large private buildings.
Codes and Standards | Oct 17, 2019
Slow payments cost GCs and subs $64 billion annually
Study finds 51-day average payment turnaround.
Codes and Standards | Oct 16, 2019
Cool pavement can make people hotter
Reflective coatings channel sunlight raising temperatures where pedestrians walk.