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 | Feb 13, 2017

Calif. commission approves ‘emergency’ balcony code changes

The changes apply to multifamily, hotels, state-owned buildings, and public schools.

Codes and Standards | Feb 9, 2017

Google-initiated program aims to get construction industry to use healthier building materials

Portico platform features a database of products ranked on how they disclose ingredients.

Codes and Standards | Feb 7, 2017

Newer structural standards mitigating earthquake impacts in Oklahoma

Buildings constructed in the last two decades are largely holding up to increased seismic activity.

Codes and Standards | Feb 6, 2017

New York State offers $36 million for energy efficiency on commercial buildings

Programs will provide money for both owners and renters.

Codes and Standards | Feb 6, 2017

New white paper on modular bathroom pods offers insight on best uses

When to use them, cost, and installation are issues that are explored.

Codes and Standards | Feb 3, 2017

Justice in Design initiative to explore how to design a modern jail

The report will inform design principles for New York City jails.

Codes and Standards | Feb 1, 2017

Massachusetts, Colorado, Illinois lead annual Top 10 States for LEED Green Building list

LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance the most popular rating system in top 10 states.

Codes and Standards | Jan 31, 2017

Planning for world’s first floating city underway

New approach to resiliency examined in French Polynesia.

Codes and Standards | Jan 30, 2017

Denser development could reduce emissions more than building energy retrofits

More tightly packed cities would cut building emissions significantly, study says.

Codes and Standards | Jan 27, 2017

Calif. legislator proposes statewide solar mandate for new buildings

It would be the first such requirement in the U.S.

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