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 7, 2018

Dept. of Energy says 2016 ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 would save 8.2% of energy costs

Favorable comparison to 2013 standard for commercial buildings.

Codes and Standards | Mar 6, 2018

Well Living Lab launches extensive study on how indoor environments affect people’s lives

Factors that impact health, performance, stress and resiliency, sleep, and comfort to be scrutinized.

Codes and Standards | Mar 5, 2018

New guide helps planners assess innovation districts

The document is designed to aid in targeting resources toward innovative and inclusive economic development based on an area’s unique strengths and challenges.

Codes and Standards | Mar 1, 2018

Net zero commercial building trend shows strong momentum

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

Codes and Standards | Feb 27, 2018

Smart surface solutions can improve disaster resilience, health and comfort in cities

Stormwater management, water quality, and heat island effect could all be impacted.

Codes and Standards | Feb 26, 2018

Bolstering energy efficiency would produce significant health benefits, ACEEE study says

Reducing energy consumption by 15% would save six lives a day.

Codes and Standards | Feb 22, 2018

GBCI will certify underwriting standard for energy efficiency projects

Investor Ready Energy Efficiency (IREE) certification aims to boost confidence in predicted energy and financial savings.

Codes and Standards | Feb 21, 2018

FEMA document provides simplified seismic design provisions for low-hazard regions

Forty four states have areas defined as low-hazard.

Codes and Standards | Feb 20, 2018

Federal budget includes disaster mitigation provisions

Bipartisan bill encourages states to adopt latest building codes.

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