flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Record storm surge in Boston prompts renewed calls for flood mitigation infrastructure

Codes and Standards

Record storm surge in Boston prompts renewed calls for flood mitigation infrastructure

Newer buildings constructed in flood zone fared well.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | January 18, 2018

A record storm surge caused by a recent winter storm produced significant flooding in downtown Boston and renewed calls for the construction of flood mitigation infrastructure.

Ocean water swamped areas near Boston Harbor and then froze solid. One flood mitigation proposal is a $10 billion sea barrier to be built in the harbor.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh linked the event to global warming, and warned developers to take the possibility of more flooding in the future into account when proposing projects near the waterfront. Recent projects in the city’s booming Seaport area did fare well during the storm, though.

Many were designed with mechanical systems on the roofs instead of basements, and some sites had had been landscaped to sit several feet above the natural ground level.

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Mar 27, 2018

Los Angeles appoints its first chief design officer

Responsibility for enhancing civic architecture and urban design.

Codes and Standards | Mar 26, 2018

National Roofing Contractors Assn., releases updates to its Roof Wind Designer app

Significant changes to online wind-load calculator.

Codes and Standards | Mar 22, 2018

Global construction waste to almost double by 2025

Concerns in Houston, Minnesota over environmental impacts.

Codes and Standards | Mar 21, 2018

Cape Town, South Africa’s dire water supply crisis raises concerns in the U.S.

Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Miami among cities at risk for water shortages.

Codes and Standards | Mar 20, 2018

Report shows how LEED certification supports net zero energy

Whole-building energy simulation, ASHRAE compliance requirement are key factors.

Codes and Standards | Mar 15, 2018

Energy efficiency measures contributing to flat demand for power

Utilities having difficulty adjusting to new business environment.

Codes and Standards | Mar 14, 2018

New parking lighting technology is paying off, Energy Dept. says

Newer products can cut energy costs by as much as 70%.

Codes and Standards | Mar 13, 2018

OSHA delays enforcement of beryllium exposure rule

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) voted to delay new beryllium exposure rules until May 11.

Codes and Standards | Mar 12, 2018

L.A. mayor proposes mandatory seismic retrofits for steel buildings, daycare centers, private schools

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has proposed a seismic retrofit requirement for vulnerable steel buildings built before the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

Codes and Standards | Mar 8, 2018

Net zero commercial building trend shows strong momentum

Almost 50% more zero energy commercial buildings under construction in 2017.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Reconstruction & Renovation

Movement to protect historic buildings raises sharp criticism

While the movement to preserve historic buildings has widespread support, it also has some sharp critics with well-funded opposition groups springing up in recent years. Some opponents are linked to the Stand Together Foundation, founded and bankrolled by the Koch family’s conservative philanthropic organization, according to a column in Governing magazine.




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021