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Sea Change: Boston, detailed overview

The document discusses the projected rise in sea levels, expected to reach 2 feet by 2050 and 6 feet by 2100, highlighting Boston's vulnerability to these changes. The city must consider strategies for resilience, including barriers against flooding and adapting urban planning, as nearly 200,000 residents and significant infrastructure are at risk. Additionally, the report emphasizes the need for a multidimensional response involving community planning, ecological considerations, and innovative design to mitigate the impact of climate change on the region.

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It is projected that sea levels will rise 2 feet by mid-century and 6 feet by 2100. This new tideline will transform our coast. Sea Change: Boston examines the city’s vulnerabilities to sea level rise and demonstrates design strategies for resilience. Curated by Sasaki Associates in partnership with the Boston Architectural College, the City of Boston, and The Boston Harbor Association, this exhibition has become the framework for a larger conversation regarding planning and design for resilience in the Greater Boston area. *Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2014 sea change noun ( c. 1612 ) { see • cheynj } :a marked change:transformation*
sea level rise explained Global sea levels have fluctuated for thousands of years. Tectonic conditions and climatic cycles have caused vacilating ocean levels. But because of current climate change, the rate of change has accelerated dramatically. There is general consensus among scientists regarding the projections for global sea level rise; however, glacial melt rates are still largely unknown. If warming global temperatures continue to melt our major glaciers, this will have an additional—and catastrophic—impact on our coastlines beyond current sea level rise projections. Global sea levels are projected to rise 1–2 feet by 2050 and 3–6 feet by 2100. Projections for sea level rise vary regionally due to local geologic conditions. The Northeast is especially vulnerable to sea level rise with observed rates 3-4 times higher than the global average. In addition to the global projections, the warming of the Gulf Stream could add 6–9 inches of sea level rise by 2100. In Boston, sea level rise is already occuring. Over the past century, the relative sea level rise in Boston has been 12 inches. Of that total, 4 inches is due to land subsidence.
9000 YEARS AGO 6000 YEARS AGO 3000 YEARS AGO 9,000 YEARS AGO 6,000 YEARS AGO 3,000 YEARS AGO 1630 18521795 1934 TODAY 2050 2100 1630 1795 1852 1934 TODAY 2050: 2 FT OF SEA LEVEL RISE 2100: 6 FT OF SEA LEVEL RISE BOSTON HARBOR HAS EVOLVED SINCE THE ICE AGES
CAUSES OF SEA LEVEL RISE Warming Waters Glacial Melting Land Subsidence
If all the ice sheets melted here, sea levels would rise ANTARCTICA 89 ft If all the ice sheets melted here, sea levels would rise GREENLAND 25 ft MELTING ICE SHEETS ARE A LARGE CONTRIBUTOR TO Sea level rise
GLOBAL SEA LEVELS ARE PROJECTED TO RISE 1—2 FEET BY 2050 and 3—6 FEET BY 2100.
THE RESEARCH. CAUSES AND PROJECTIONS BOSTON SOMERVILLE CHELSEA WINTHROP QUINCY HULL EVERETT REVERE MILTON CAMBRIDGE 2 ft sea level rise in 2050 SEA LEVEL RISE PROJECTIONS MapSources:SealevelriseprojectionsfortheregionarebasedoncontoursfromMassachusettsOfficeofGeographic Informationand3DiTechnologies/SpectrumMappingLLCLiDARdataset(2002);SeaLevelRiseprojectionsforBostonare basedoncontoursfromCityofBoston,BostonRedevelopmentAuthority,andSanbornMapCompanyLiDARdataset(2009). north 1 mile
THE RESEARCH. CAUSES AND PROJECTIONS BOSTON CAMBRIDGE SOMERVILLE CHELSEA WINTHROP QUINCY HULL EVERETT REVERE MILTON 6 ft sea level rise in 2100 2 ft sea level rise in 2050 SEA LEVEL RISE PROJECTIONS MapSources:SealevelriseprojectionsfortheregionarebasedoncontoursfromMassachusettsOfficeofGeographic Informationand3DiTechnologies/SpectrumMappingLLCLiDARdataset(2002);SeaLevelRiseprojectionsforBostonare basedoncontoursfromCityofBoston,BostonRedevelopmentAuthority,andSanbornMapCompanyLiDARdataset(2009). north 1 mile
THE PERFECT STORM The Boston region is no stranger to devastating storms. Although Boston is sheltered geographically by Cape Cod and the Harbor Islands, the city has experienced several major hurricanes and Nor’easters. These storms bring severe winds, massive amounts of precipitation, and extreme storm surge which, combined, cause immense damage. Due to rising sea levels and the increased frequency and intensity of storms, Boston is more vulnerable than ever. Storm impacts will be intensified as sea levels rise. Due to climate change, storm events are predicted to occur more frequently and with greater intensity. When storms are coupled with elevated sea levels, impacts will be exacerbated. If a major storm were to hit Boston during high tide, the region could experience impacts similar to those in New York and New Jersey during Hurricane Sandy.
NORMAL TIDE STORM SURGE STORM TIDE STORM SURGE WILL INCREASE FLOOD IMPACT
low tide with sea level risewith storm surge with storm surge + sea level rise high tide astronomical high tide CHARLES RIVER DAM TIDE HEIGHT COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A STORM AND A DISASTER
flooding from a major storm in 2100 BOSTON CAMBRIDGE SOMERVILLE CHELSEA WINTHROP QUINCY HULL EVERETT REVERE MILTON flooding from a major storm in 2050 SEA LEVEL RISE + STORM SURGE PROJECTIONS MapSources:SealevelriseprojectionsfortheregionarebasedoncontoursfromMassachusettsOfficeofGeographic Informationand3DiTechnologies/SpectrumMappingLLCLiDARdataset(2002);SeaLevelRiseprojectionsforBostonare basedoncontoursfromCityofBoston,BostonRedevelopmentAuthority,andSanbornMapCompanyLiDARdataset(2009). north 1 mile
this is Where high tide could be during a storm in 2050 char l es r i v er cambridge boston b o st o n har b o r charlestown winthrop quincy SEA LEVEL RISE + STORM SURGE PROJECTIONS Map Sources: Sea level rise projections for the region are based on contours from Massachusetts Office of Geographic Information and 3Di Technologies / Spectrum Mapping LLC LiDAR dataset (2002); Sea Level Rise projections for Boston are based on contours from City of Boston, Boston Redevelopment Authority, and Sanborn Map Company LiDAR dataset (2009). Base image from Google Earth 2014
The Great Northeast Blizzard of 1978 Hurricane Nor’easter The Great New England Hurricane of 1938 BOSTON HAS A HISTORY OF DEVASTATING STORMS “Blizzard of 1978” on Flickr by That Hartford Guy is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection
1885 1954EDNA 1869 1896 1869 1858 1894 1893 1924 1878 1960DONNA 1991BOB 1944 TH E G REAT ATLAN TIC H UR 1879 1888 1969GERDA 1938THEGREATNE BOSTON 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 WINDSPEED 1850 10 30 20 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 SANDY,CAT.3,$68billion IRENE,CAT.3,$15billion BOB,CAT.2,$2.5million GLORIA,CAT.4,$900million DONNA,CAT.5,$500million DIANE,CAT.3,$832million EDNA,CAT.3,$40million CAROL,CAT.3,$460million DOG,CAT.5,$3million GREATATLANTIC,CAT.4,$100million SEPTEMBERGALE,CAT.3,$N/A Historic Hurricane Intensity & Damage in New England Most devastating hurricanes in New EnglandHurricanes hitting New Enlgand GREATHURRICANEOF1938,CAT.5,$306million MapSources:NationalOceanographicandAtmosphericAdministration(NOAA),AtlanticHurricaneDatabase(2013). BOSTON HAS A HISTORY OF DEVASTATING STORMS
WHAT’S AT RISK? Our neighborhoods and cultural icons are at risk. Rising water levels and storm surge will hit close to home, quite literally. Nearly 200,000 residents live in homes at risk of flooding. Entire neighborhoods like East Boston and Back Bay are vulnerable—as are landmarks like Fenway Park. Losing homes, neighborhoods, and cultural assets will threaten our sense of security and our unique identity—and impact tax revenue for the cities of Metropolitan Boston. Sea level rise will have a ripple effect within and beyond Boston. Sea level rise and storm-related flooding in the Boston Metropolitan area will have an impact well beyond the boundaries of the flood zone. A major flood will place many key facilities, infrastructure networks, and economies at risk. The resulting impacts will ripple across multiple scales from the city to the state, and even the entire northeast region.
Massachusetts New England Boston sea level rise will have a ripple effect within and beyond boston
Flooding during a major storm in 2050 Residential parcels at risk BOSTON BROOKLINE CAMBRIDGE SOMERVILLE CHELSEA WINTHROP QUINCY HULL EVERETT REVERE MILTON residential populations at risk MapSources:Parcelsfortheregion:Municipalassessors,various(2013),compiled byMassGIS.ParcelsforBoston:CityofBostonAssessorsOffice(2013). north 1 mile
% residential land % population total population & property value 123,620 residents 35,452 residents 4,215 residents 433 residents 14,035 residents 3,588 residents 5,077 residents Boston 19 % 20 % Cambridge 29 % 34 % Chelsea 41 % 12 % Hull 14 % 4 % Quincy 17 % 15 % Somerville 17 % 5 % Winthrop 48 % 29 % $2.02 billion $2.90 billion $170 million $80 million $1.42 billion $390 million $550 million 20% of boston and 34% of cambridge residents are at risk residential populations at risk
industrial, commercial, & institutional properties at risk Boston Convention & Exhibition Center UMass Boston MIT Conley Container Terminal Mystic Generating Station Black Falcon Terminal Suffolk Downs Industrial Commercial Institutional PARCELS at Risk Flooding during a major storm in 2050 MapSources:Parcelsfortheregion:Municipalassessors,various(2013), compiledbyMassGIS.ParcelsforBoston:CityofBostonAssessorsOffice(2013). BOSTON BROOKLINE CAMBRIDGE SOMERVILLE CHELSEA WINTHROP QUINCY HULL EVERETT REVERE MILTON north 1 mile
industrial, commercial, & institutional properties at risk Boston % commercial land % industrial land $ assessed value Cambridge Chelsea Everett Quincy Somerville Winthrop $4.83 billion $3.41 billion $2.63 billion $860 million $240 million $210 million $420 million $330 million $170 million $70 million Less than $1 million $40 million $540 million $100 million 50 % 72 % 44 % 61 % 81 % 93 % 79 % 87 % 41 % 66 % 49 % 63 % 90 % 52 % $14 billion in property value is at risk
Ted Williams Tunnel Sumner Tunnel North Station South Station Back Bay Station I-93 Morrisey Boulevard Major roads Subway Rail MBTA stations Rail stations Tunnel entrances Transportation at RiskLogan Airport RedLine BlueHillAve.Colum bus Ave. Route 1 OrangeLine OrangeLine Needham Line Fitchburg Line I-90 Lowell Line I-93 I-93 I-93 Newburyport/ RockportLine FairmountLineGreen Line Memorial Dr. Storrow Dr. BlueLine Silver Line Red Line Flooding during a major storm in 2050 transit networks at risk • 11 TUNNEL ENTRANCES • 50 MBTA STATIONS • 7 MAJOR TRAIN STATIONS MapSources:MajorRoads:MassachusettsDepartmentofTransportation(2012),accessedat MassGIS;TrainLinesandStations:CentralTransportationPlanningStaff(2013),accessedat MassGIS. BOSTON BROOKLINE CAMBRIDGE SOMERVILLE CHELSEA WINTHROP QUINCY HULL EVERETT REVERE MILTON north 1 mile
Mass General Hospital Boston Medical Center Conley Container Terminal Distrigas LNG Terminal Logan Airport Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant Mystic Generating Station Police station Power plant Sub station Other critical facility Hospital Facilities at Risk Flooding during a major storm in 2050 • 8 POWER PLANTS • 6 FUEL TERMINALS • 9 HOSPITALS MapSources:PoliceStations:MassachusettsEmergencyManagementAgency(2009);Hospitals: MassachusettsDepartmentofPublicHealth(2009);PowerPlants:Municipalassessors,various (2013);CityofBostonAssessorsOffice(2013) BOSTON BROOKLINE CAMBRIDGE SOMERVILLE CHELSEA WINTHROP QUINCY HULL EVERETT REVERE MILTON critical systems at risk north 1 mile
TOUGH QUESTIONS We need to weigh the costs and benefits of all our options. In the face of rising waters and increased storm- related flooding, communities will have to decide what to do with their flood-prone areas. Continually repairing storm damages and providing services to these vulnerable neighborhoods demands significant government resources. For these areas, cities have three major options to consider: keep water out, adapt to live with water, or move to higher ground. Unfortunately, there are no clear answers when it comes to these options—they all have pros and significant cons. Storm barriers can be effective, but at a great cost. To protect the Boston Metropolitan Region from increased storm flooding, one strategy is to construct a storm barrier within Boston Harbor. Storm barriers cannot protect the city from permanent sea level rise, but they can be effective in protecting key areas during a major storm. Unfortunately, storm barriers can be expensive and time intensive, and can have negative impacts on the local ecology. With both significant pros and cons, building a barrier would require a rigorous cost-benefit analysis.
1 Fortify (Keep Water Out) 2 Adapt (Live with Water) 3 Retreat (move to higher ground) what are the options?
retreat may be necessary for the most vulnerable areas CEDAR RAPIDS FLOOD RECOVERY PLAN POST-SANDY FLOODPLAIN BUYOUT INITIATIVES IN NY & NJ “BuyOutWanted”onFlickrbyMattGreenislicensedunderCCBY-NC-SA2.0©SasakiAssociates
what are alternative uses for flood-prone neighborhoods? 2open space & recreation • Floodable parks • Cultural amenities 3new economic opportunities • Aquaculture • Maritime industry 1ecological function • Increased habitat • Wave attenuation • Pollutant filtration
2 1 3 a storm barrier is possible in boston There are three options for a storm barrier in Boston—each has its pros and cons. 1 3 Outer Harbor Barrier Potential Cost: $10 Billion Design Components: 11,000 FT barrier + 7,500 FT barrier + ~70,000 FT of shoreline reinforcement Bonus: Roadway connecting North Shore and South Shore Protects: All areas protected in Options 1 and 2 + Quincy + Hingham + Weymouth Inner Harbor Barrier Potential Cost: $2 Billion Design Components: 3,000 FT barrier + ~50,000 FT of shoreline reinforcement Protects: Innovation District, Downtown Boston, Charlestown, East Boston, Chelsea, Everett, Cambridge 2 Harbor Island Barrier Potential Cost: $8 Billion Design Components: 5,000 FT barrier + 3,000 FT barrier + ~60,000 FT of shoreline reinforcement Bonus: Roadway connecting North Shore and South Shore Protects: All from Option 1 + Dorchester + Winthrop to dam or not to dam?
DESIGN STRATEGIES We need to design for rising seas at multiple scales. From floating apartment buildings to floodable parks, designers and engineers around the world are imagining and constructing resilient solutions to rising sea levels. Flexability and adaptability are at the core of resilient design. This thinking will allow our buildings and infrastructure to bounce back from a storm or adjust to rising tides. Boston is home to several examples of resilient design in anticipation of sea level rise, including the Deer Island Waste Water Treatment Plant, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, and the Boston Architectural College’s “green alley.” But our city and region are still vulnerable. The strategies and case studies exhibited here illustrate an array of tangible solutions for how the Boston region can protect its edge while introducing greater vibrancy, connectivity, and economic opportunities along the water. Layered together, all of these strategies provide more holistic opportunities for protection.
Living Shoreline Dune Restoration Multi-Purpose Levee Elevated BuildingDry Flood-Proofing Wet Flood-Proofing Temporary Floodwall Floating Building Floodable Park Absorbent StreetCanal Street Revetment CATALOG OF DESIGN STRATEGIES Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time
this is Where high tide could be during a storm in 2050 underground cistern living shoreline Floating building living shoreline Floodable Park absorbent street storm surge barrier multi-Purpose levee absorbent street dry Flood- Proofing elevated building Wet Flood- Proofing dry Flood- Proofing Floodable Park Floating building raised bulkhead temp Floodwall Floodable Park dune restoration living shoreline Potential location oF Future design strategies Floodable Park char l es r i v er cambridge boston b o st o n har b o r charlestown winthrop quincy We need to design for rising seas at multiple scales
buildings How can we build for rising tides? Boston’s future architecture should build to a new standard of flood protection and flood accommodation. Existing buildings, including historic residences and commercial properties, will need to be retrofitted to keep water out. New buildings will provide the opportunity to take a different approach, built to adapt to changing water levels.
Elevated Building Dry Flood- Proofing Wet Flood- Proofing Temporary Floodwall Floating Building FLOOD SCENARIO BUILDING A NEW STANDARD IN BOSTON BUILDINGS
SETTING THE BAR: Boston, Amsterdam, maasbommel, Brooklyn Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Floating Houses, IJburg Amphibious Homes Rebuild by Design, Coastal Commercial Resiliency CreatedbyCooper,Robertson&PartnersandDewberryConsultants,LLC. calloutcoloradjustedfromoriginal “maasbommel037”onFlickrbyloesvaneck-verhoevenislicensed underCCBY-SA2.0/saturationandskyadjustedfromoriginal ©LuukKramer|MarliesRohmerArchitectsandPlanners ©AntonGrassl/ESTO|Perkins+Will
public space How can we adapt existing open spaces to accommodate water? Public space accounts for one third of land in Boston. Rather than trying to keep water completely out, the city can leverage this existing space by designing areas that periodically accommodate flooding, stormwater, and high tides. These public spaces can be constructed to be absorbent or to withstand submersion when flooding occurs. In dry or wet conditions, they can serve as desirable amenities to the city.
Underground Cistern Floodable Park Absorbent Street Canal Street MAKING ROOM FOR WATER IN THE CITY public space
SETTING THE BAR: New Orleans, Rotterdam, SEoul, Portland Cheonggyecheon Portland Green Streets ©EnvironmentalServices,Portland,Oregon ©EmilyOrpin Watersquare Benthemplein ©pallesh+azarfane|WatersquareBenthempleinbyDEURBANISTEN Client:CityofRotterdam,theNetherlands The Greater New Orleans Urban Water Plan “NewOrleansFlood”onFlickrbySteveSchaafislicensedunderCCBY-SA2.0
How can we adapt Boston’s coast to rising seas? Boston’s coast comprises public space, islands, beaches, backyards, and industrial facilities. The city has traditionally invested in armoring its coastal edge using bulkheads, seawalls, and revetments, but these inflexible structures make it difficult for Boston to gradually adapt to rising sea levels. Alternative edge conditions like terraced public space, floating neighborhoods, floodable open space, and absorbent parks are more responsive to changing water levels—and provide engaging community amenities. coast
Living Shoreline Storm Surge Barrier Dune Restoration Raised Bulkhead Multi- Purpose Levee RETHINKING THE BOSTON HARBOR EDGE coast
SETTING THE BAR: NEW YORK, ASBURY PARK, BALTIMORE Rebuild by Design, Asbury Park Boardwalk + Dunes HafenCity NYC Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency (SIRR) Masonville Cove Urban Refuge ©StephaniePeters|MarylandEnvironmentalService ©SasakiAssociates “HurricaneSandyBlackoutNewYorkSkyline”onFlickrbyDavidShankboneis licensedunderCCBY2.0 “Hafencity”onFlickrbyEichentalislicensedunderCCBY-ND2.0
region Sea level rise crosses political boundaries —so should our plan. Large-scale issues such as sea level rise call for regional decision-making. The impacts of sea level rise will be felt beyond Boston and other waterfront cities. Individual actions and city-level plans may not be enough to mitigate the worst effects. Solutions that cross city boundaries may be needed, which will require municipalities and agencies to work together. A regional planning process can be a forum that brings together political leaders, scientists, economists, and the broader public to discuss tough questions.
Sea level rise CROSSES POLITICAL BOUNDARIES, SO SHOULD OUR PLAN REASONS TO THINK regionally Regional impactsEnhanced collaboration and coordination; the whole is more than the sum of the parts Complex issues and long time frames Cost effectiveness Watershed and landscape issues cross city boundaries Bring multiple agencies and cities together Broadened public participation in key decisions region
FOCUS ON RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF RISING SEA LEVELS AND CLIMATE CHANGE BROAD FOCUS ON GROWTH, HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, JOBS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT BOSTON’S CURRENT REGIONAL PLAN: 20 year time frameSUSTAINABILITY 75+ YEAR TIME FRAME BASED ON SEA LEVEL RISE PROJECTIONS RESILIENCE ABILITY TO CHANGE BASED ON CONTEMPORARY CONSIDERATIONS DECISIONS MADE DURING PLANNING PROCESS A PLAN THAT ADDRESSES SEA LEVEL RISE SHOULD INCLUDE: THE TIME TO BE PROACTIVE IS NOW what should the next generation of planning look like in the boston region? region
ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY Boston residents talk about sea level rise. The Sea Change team conducted interviews across the city to document the public voice and learn about the public’s awareness of sea level rise. These interviews are documented in a series of photos, videos, and written essays.
“I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS MY WHOLE LIFE. THE INDUSTRY HAS NEVER BEEN MORE vulnerable.” FRANK PATANIA Frank is a lifelong fisherman on Boston’s Fish Pier. The seafood industry has been part of his family for generations. The water defines Frank’s life. Through his years working and living by the coast, he has experienced storm impacts, sea level rise, and fishing regulation that make his industry vulnerable. He understands the importance of our connection to the sea, and hopes for smart development along the coast.
“WE WERE HERE DURING THE BLIZZARD OF 1978. IT WAS A MESS.” SEBASTIAN AND ROSE DI MARE Sebastian and Rose are frequent visitors to the Revere beachfront and lived in the area during the Blizzard of 1978. They view the beach as a vital community resource with historic and cultural value. They have seen the beach change from storm impacts over the years, including a decline in beachfront development and investment. Sebastian and Rose support making the beach more resilient and encourage greater community support for the area.
“PEOPLE NEED RESPECT FOR NATURE AND THE EARTH.” MAURICE RIGAUD On a sunny day, Maurice came to the beach with his nephew Julius to enjoy the good weather. Maurice is a deep thinker with tough questions about our attempts to control nature. He believes in the power of popular consensus to bring about change, but he said too many people are out of touch and unaware. When asked what we can do about our city’s vulnerabilities, Maurice said, “We can’t take care of our roads let alone our beaches.”
academic partnerships The next generation of designers are at the forefront of innovative design thinking. Partnerships between academic institutions and professional design firms have emerged as a productive model for tackling challenging problems. Recently, the topic of resilient design has become a subject of inquiry. With practitioners facilitating academic exercises, the next generation can address these design problems with both pragmatic sensitivity and creative freedom.
Sasaki Summer Intern Charette Sasaki’s annual internship charette is a two-week workshop that focuses on a local issue. In June 2013, as part of the Sea Change research initiative, the interns focused specifically on sea level rise implications and design solutions for South Boston. The group broke into four teams that focused design projects on the diverse economic, demographic, and ecologic impacts of sea level rise. designing for rising seas in south boston
BAC Fall Natural Systems Studio During Fall 2013, the Natural Systems studio at the Boston Architectural College built upon the Sasaki interns’ research and designed resiliency strategies for East Boston. Over the course of the semester, guest critics—including coastal engineers, designers, and Boston Harbor experts—provided insight and expertise. For the final project, the studio was divided into two interdisciplinary design teams. imagining east boston’s future
the exhibition Sea Change: Boston has become a call to action and a platform for partnerships. Sea Change: Boston is intended to catalyze conversations with a broader audience about the tough questions and regional implications of sea level rise. Throughout the process, Sasaki has cultivated partnerships with the Boston Architectural College, the City of Boston, and The Boston Harbor Association. Partnering with District Hall also provided a unique venue to reach a broad audience in the heart of one of Boston’s most vulnerable districts.
the symposium The symposium fostered a discussion about the challenges of preparing for sea level rise. As an extension of the Sea Change: Boston exhibition, the symposium brought together designers, engineers, city leaders, academics, and community members for a day-long conversation about how to make Boston a resilient city in the face of sea level rise.
Design Strategies: Making Change Visible From floating apartment buildings to floodable parks, designers and engineers around the world are imagining and constructing resilient solutions to rising sea levels. This panel explores how resilient design strategies allow Boston’s buildings and infrastructure to bounce back from storms and adjust to rising tides. Tough Questions: Should We Stay or Should We Go? In the face of rising waters and increased storm-related flooding, communities will have to decide what to do with their flood-prone areas. Continually repairing storm damages and providing services to these vulnerable neighborhoods demands significant government resources. This panel examines case studies of flooded communities and delves into the options Boston will have to consider. Thinking Big: The Regional Planning Approach The impacts of sea level rise will be felt beyond Boston and other waterfront cities. Solutions that cross city boundaries may be needed, which will require municipalities and agencies to work together. This panel analyzes how a regional planning process in Boston can be a forum that brings together political leaders, scientists, economists, and the broader public to discuss tough questions related to changing tides. Gina Ford (moderator) SASAKI ASSOCIATES Barbara Wilks W ARCHITECTURE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Walter Meyer LOCAL OFFICE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Robert Nairn BAIRD ASSOCIATES Hubert Murray PARTNERS HEALTHCARE Julie Wormser (moderator) THE BOSTON HARBOR ASSOCIATION Jason Hellendrung SASAKI ASSOCIATES Kristina Ford COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY Robert Culver SASAKI ASSOCIATES Jerold Kayden HARVARD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF DESIGN Ted Landsmark (moderator) BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE Helen Lochhead SYDNEY HARBOUR FORESHORE AUTHORITY James Miner SASAKI ASSOCIATES Robbin Peach MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY Martin Pillsbury METROPOLITAN AREA PLANNING COUNCIL PANELISTS PANELS
Sea Change: Boston, detailed overview

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Sea Change: Boston, detailed overview

  • 1.
    It is projectedthat sea levels will rise 2 feet by mid-century and 6 feet by 2100. This new tideline will transform our coast. Sea Change: Boston examines the city’s vulnerabilities to sea level rise and demonstrates design strategies for resilience. Curated by Sasaki Associates in partnership with the Boston Architectural College, the City of Boston, and The Boston Harbor Association, this exhibition has become the framework for a larger conversation regarding planning and design for resilience in the Greater Boston area. *Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2014 sea change noun ( c. 1612 ) { see • cheynj } :a marked change:transformation*
  • 3.
    sea level rise explained Globalsea levels have fluctuated for thousands of years. Tectonic conditions and climatic cycles have caused vacilating ocean levels. But because of current climate change, the rate of change has accelerated dramatically. There is general consensus among scientists regarding the projections for global sea level rise; however, glacial melt rates are still largely unknown. If warming global temperatures continue to melt our major glaciers, this will have an additional—and catastrophic—impact on our coastlines beyond current sea level rise projections. Global sea levels are projected to rise 1–2 feet by 2050 and 3–6 feet by 2100. Projections for sea level rise vary regionally due to local geologic conditions. The Northeast is especially vulnerable to sea level rise with observed rates 3-4 times higher than the global average. In addition to the global projections, the warming of the Gulf Stream could add 6–9 inches of sea level rise by 2100. In Boston, sea level rise is already occuring. Over the past century, the relative sea level rise in Boston has been 12 inches. Of that total, 4 inches is due to land subsidence.
  • 4.
    9000 YEARS AGO6000 YEARS AGO 3000 YEARS AGO 9,000 YEARS AGO 6,000 YEARS AGO 3,000 YEARS AGO 1630 18521795 1934 TODAY 2050 2100 1630 1795 1852 1934 TODAY 2050: 2 FT OF SEA LEVEL RISE 2100: 6 FT OF SEA LEVEL RISE BOSTON HARBOR HAS EVOLVED SINCE THE ICE AGES
  • 5.
    CAUSES OF SEALEVEL RISE Warming Waters Glacial Melting Land Subsidence
  • 6.
    If all theice sheets melted here, sea levels would rise ANTARCTICA 89 ft If all the ice sheets melted here, sea levels would rise GREENLAND 25 ft MELTING ICE SHEETS ARE A LARGE CONTRIBUTOR TO Sea level rise
  • 7.
    GLOBAL SEA LEVELSARE PROJECTED TO RISE 1—2 FEET BY 2050 and 3—6 FEET BY 2100.
  • 8.
    THE RESEARCH. CAUSES ANDPROJECTIONS BOSTON SOMERVILLE CHELSEA WINTHROP QUINCY HULL EVERETT REVERE MILTON CAMBRIDGE 2 ft sea level rise in 2050 SEA LEVEL RISE PROJECTIONS MapSources:SealevelriseprojectionsfortheregionarebasedoncontoursfromMassachusettsOfficeofGeographic Informationand3DiTechnologies/SpectrumMappingLLCLiDARdataset(2002);SeaLevelRiseprojectionsforBostonare basedoncontoursfromCityofBoston,BostonRedevelopmentAuthority,andSanbornMapCompanyLiDARdataset(2009). north 1 mile
  • 9.
    THE RESEARCH. CAUSES ANDPROJECTIONS BOSTON CAMBRIDGE SOMERVILLE CHELSEA WINTHROP QUINCY HULL EVERETT REVERE MILTON 6 ft sea level rise in 2100 2 ft sea level rise in 2050 SEA LEVEL RISE PROJECTIONS MapSources:SealevelriseprojectionsfortheregionarebasedoncontoursfromMassachusettsOfficeofGeographic Informationand3DiTechnologies/SpectrumMappingLLCLiDARdataset(2002);SeaLevelRiseprojectionsforBostonare basedoncontoursfromCityofBoston,BostonRedevelopmentAuthority,andSanbornMapCompanyLiDARdataset(2009). north 1 mile
  • 10.
    THE PERFECT STORM The Bostonregion is no stranger to devastating storms. Although Boston is sheltered geographically by Cape Cod and the Harbor Islands, the city has experienced several major hurricanes and Nor’easters. These storms bring severe winds, massive amounts of precipitation, and extreme storm surge which, combined, cause immense damage. Due to rising sea levels and the increased frequency and intensity of storms, Boston is more vulnerable than ever. Storm impacts will be intensified as sea levels rise. Due to climate change, storm events are predicted to occur more frequently and with greater intensity. When storms are coupled with elevated sea levels, impacts will be exacerbated. If a major storm were to hit Boston during high tide, the region could experience impacts similar to those in New York and New Jersey during Hurricane Sandy.
  • 11.
    NORMAL TIDE STORM SURGE STORMTIDE STORM SURGE WILL INCREASE FLOOD IMPACT
  • 12.
    low tide with sealevel risewith storm surge with storm surge + sea level rise high tide astronomical high tide CHARLES RIVER DAM TIDE HEIGHT COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A STORM AND A DISASTER
  • 13.
    flooding from a majorstorm in 2100 BOSTON CAMBRIDGE SOMERVILLE CHELSEA WINTHROP QUINCY HULL EVERETT REVERE MILTON flooding from a major storm in 2050 SEA LEVEL RISE + STORM SURGE PROJECTIONS MapSources:SealevelriseprojectionsfortheregionarebasedoncontoursfromMassachusettsOfficeofGeographic Informationand3DiTechnologies/SpectrumMappingLLCLiDARdataset(2002);SeaLevelRiseprojectionsforBostonare basedoncontoursfromCityofBoston,BostonRedevelopmentAuthority,andSanbornMapCompanyLiDARdataset(2009). north 1 mile
  • 14.
    this is Wherehigh tide could be during a storm in 2050 char l es r i v er cambridge boston b o st o n har b o r charlestown winthrop quincy SEA LEVEL RISE + STORM SURGE PROJECTIONS Map Sources: Sea level rise projections for the region are based on contours from Massachusetts Office of Geographic Information and 3Di Technologies / Spectrum Mapping LLC LiDAR dataset (2002); Sea Level Rise projections for Boston are based on contours from City of Boston, Boston Redevelopment Authority, and Sanborn Map Company LiDAR dataset (2009). Base image from Google Earth 2014
  • 15.
    The Great NortheastBlizzard of 1978 Hurricane Nor’easter The Great New England Hurricane of 1938 BOSTON HAS A HISTORY OF DEVASTATING STORMS “Blizzard of 1978” on Flickr by That Hartford Guy is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection
  • 16.
    1885 1954EDNA 1869 1896 1869 1858 1894 1893 1924 1878 1960DONNA 1991BOB 1944 TH E G REAT ATLAN TIC H UR 1879 1888 1969GERDA 1938THEGREATNE BOSTON 1940 1950 19601970 1980 1990 2000 2010 WINDSPEED 1850 10 30 20 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 SANDY,CAT.3,$68billion IRENE,CAT.3,$15billion BOB,CAT.2,$2.5million GLORIA,CAT.4,$900million DONNA,CAT.5,$500million DIANE,CAT.3,$832million EDNA,CAT.3,$40million CAROL,CAT.3,$460million DOG,CAT.5,$3million GREATATLANTIC,CAT.4,$100million SEPTEMBERGALE,CAT.3,$N/A Historic Hurricane Intensity & Damage in New England Most devastating hurricanes in New EnglandHurricanes hitting New Enlgand GREATHURRICANEOF1938,CAT.5,$306million MapSources:NationalOceanographicandAtmosphericAdministration(NOAA),AtlanticHurricaneDatabase(2013). BOSTON HAS A HISTORY OF DEVASTATING STORMS
  • 17.
    WHAT’S AT RISK? Our neighborhoodsand cultural icons are at risk. Rising water levels and storm surge will hit close to home, quite literally. Nearly 200,000 residents live in homes at risk of flooding. Entire neighborhoods like East Boston and Back Bay are vulnerable—as are landmarks like Fenway Park. Losing homes, neighborhoods, and cultural assets will threaten our sense of security and our unique identity—and impact tax revenue for the cities of Metropolitan Boston. Sea level rise will have a ripple effect within and beyond Boston. Sea level rise and storm-related flooding in the Boston Metropolitan area will have an impact well beyond the boundaries of the flood zone. A major flood will place many key facilities, infrastructure networks, and economies at risk. The resulting impacts will ripple across multiple scales from the city to the state, and even the entire northeast region.
  • 18.
    Massachusetts New England Boston sea levelrise will have a ripple effect within and beyond boston
  • 19.
    Flooding during a majorstorm in 2050 Residential parcels at risk BOSTON BROOKLINE CAMBRIDGE SOMERVILLE CHELSEA WINTHROP QUINCY HULL EVERETT REVERE MILTON residential populations at risk MapSources:Parcelsfortheregion:Municipalassessors,various(2013),compiled byMassGIS.ParcelsforBoston:CityofBostonAssessorsOffice(2013). north 1 mile
  • 20.
    % residential land % population total population &property value 123,620 residents 35,452 residents 4,215 residents 433 residents 14,035 residents 3,588 residents 5,077 residents Boston 19 % 20 % Cambridge 29 % 34 % Chelsea 41 % 12 % Hull 14 % 4 % Quincy 17 % 15 % Somerville 17 % 5 % Winthrop 48 % 29 % $2.02 billion $2.90 billion $170 million $80 million $1.42 billion $390 million $550 million 20% of boston and 34% of cambridge residents are at risk residential populations at risk
  • 21.
    industrial, commercial, & institutionalproperties at risk Boston Convention & Exhibition Center UMass Boston MIT Conley Container Terminal Mystic Generating Station Black Falcon Terminal Suffolk Downs Industrial Commercial Institutional PARCELS at Risk Flooding during a major storm in 2050 MapSources:Parcelsfortheregion:Municipalassessors,various(2013), compiledbyMassGIS.ParcelsforBoston:CityofBostonAssessorsOffice(2013). BOSTON BROOKLINE CAMBRIDGE SOMERVILLE CHELSEA WINTHROP QUINCY HULL EVERETT REVERE MILTON north 1 mile
  • 22.
    industrial, commercial, & institutionalproperties at risk Boston % commercial land % industrial land $ assessed value Cambridge Chelsea Everett Quincy Somerville Winthrop $4.83 billion $3.41 billion $2.63 billion $860 million $240 million $210 million $420 million $330 million $170 million $70 million Less than $1 million $40 million $540 million $100 million 50 % 72 % 44 % 61 % 81 % 93 % 79 % 87 % 41 % 66 % 49 % 63 % 90 % 52 % $14 billion in property value is at risk
  • 23.
    Ted Williams Tunnel SumnerTunnel North Station South Station Back Bay Station I-93 Morrisey Boulevard Major roads Subway Rail MBTA stations Rail stations Tunnel entrances Transportation at RiskLogan Airport RedLine BlueHillAve.Colum bus Ave. Route 1 OrangeLine OrangeLine Needham Line Fitchburg Line I-90 Lowell Line I-93 I-93 I-93 Newburyport/ RockportLine FairmountLineGreen Line Memorial Dr. Storrow Dr. BlueLine Silver Line Red Line Flooding during a major storm in 2050 transit networks at risk • 11 TUNNEL ENTRANCES • 50 MBTA STATIONS • 7 MAJOR TRAIN STATIONS MapSources:MajorRoads:MassachusettsDepartmentofTransportation(2012),accessedat MassGIS;TrainLinesandStations:CentralTransportationPlanningStaff(2013),accessedat MassGIS. BOSTON BROOKLINE CAMBRIDGE SOMERVILLE CHELSEA WINTHROP QUINCY HULL EVERETT REVERE MILTON north 1 mile
  • 24.
    Mass General Hospital BostonMedical Center Conley Container Terminal Distrigas LNG Terminal Logan Airport Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant Mystic Generating Station Police station Power plant Sub station Other critical facility Hospital Facilities at Risk Flooding during a major storm in 2050 • 8 POWER PLANTS • 6 FUEL TERMINALS • 9 HOSPITALS MapSources:PoliceStations:MassachusettsEmergencyManagementAgency(2009);Hospitals: MassachusettsDepartmentofPublicHealth(2009);PowerPlants:Municipalassessors,various (2013);CityofBostonAssessorsOffice(2013) BOSTON BROOKLINE CAMBRIDGE SOMERVILLE CHELSEA WINTHROP QUINCY HULL EVERETT REVERE MILTON critical systems at risk north 1 mile
  • 25.
    TOUGH QUESTIONS We need toweigh the costs and benefits of all our options. In the face of rising waters and increased storm- related flooding, communities will have to decide what to do with their flood-prone areas. Continually repairing storm damages and providing services to these vulnerable neighborhoods demands significant government resources. For these areas, cities have three major options to consider: keep water out, adapt to live with water, or move to higher ground. Unfortunately, there are no clear answers when it comes to these options—they all have pros and significant cons. Storm barriers can be effective, but at a great cost. To protect the Boston Metropolitan Region from increased storm flooding, one strategy is to construct a storm barrier within Boston Harbor. Storm barriers cannot protect the city from permanent sea level rise, but they can be effective in protecting key areas during a major storm. Unfortunately, storm barriers can be expensive and time intensive, and can have negative impacts on the local ecology. With both significant pros and cons, building a barrier would require a rigorous cost-benefit analysis.
  • 26.
    1 Fortify (Keep Water Out) 2 Adapt (Livewith Water) 3 Retreat (move to higher ground) what are the options?
  • 27.
    retreat may benecessary for the most vulnerable areas CEDAR RAPIDS FLOOD RECOVERY PLAN POST-SANDY FLOODPLAIN BUYOUT INITIATIVES IN NY & NJ “BuyOutWanted”onFlickrbyMattGreenislicensedunderCCBY-NC-SA2.0©SasakiAssociates
  • 28.
    what are alternativeuses for flood-prone neighborhoods? 2open space & recreation • Floodable parks • Cultural amenities 3new economic opportunities • Aquaculture • Maritime industry 1ecological function • Increased habitat • Wave attenuation • Pollutant filtration
  • 29.
    2 1 3 a storm barrieris possible in boston There are three options for a storm barrier in Boston—each has its pros and cons. 1 3 Outer Harbor Barrier Potential Cost: $10 Billion Design Components: 11,000 FT barrier + 7,500 FT barrier + ~70,000 FT of shoreline reinforcement Bonus: Roadway connecting North Shore and South Shore Protects: All areas protected in Options 1 and 2 + Quincy + Hingham + Weymouth Inner Harbor Barrier Potential Cost: $2 Billion Design Components: 3,000 FT barrier + ~50,000 FT of shoreline reinforcement Protects: Innovation District, Downtown Boston, Charlestown, East Boston, Chelsea, Everett, Cambridge 2 Harbor Island Barrier Potential Cost: $8 Billion Design Components: 5,000 FT barrier + 3,000 FT barrier + ~60,000 FT of shoreline reinforcement Bonus: Roadway connecting North Shore and South Shore Protects: All from Option 1 + Dorchester + Winthrop to dam or not to dam?
  • 30.
    DESIGN STRATEGIES We need todesign for rising seas at multiple scales. From floating apartment buildings to floodable parks, designers and engineers around the world are imagining and constructing resilient solutions to rising sea levels. Flexability and adaptability are at the core of resilient design. This thinking will allow our buildings and infrastructure to bounce back from a storm or adjust to rising tides. Boston is home to several examples of resilient design in anticipation of sea level rise, including the Deer Island Waste Water Treatment Plant, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, and the Boston Architectural College’s “green alley.” But our city and region are still vulnerable. The strategies and case studies exhibited here illustrate an array of tangible solutions for how the Boston region can protect its edge while introducing greater vibrancy, connectivity, and economic opportunities along the water. Layered together, all of these strategies provide more holistic opportunities for protection.
  • 31.
    Living Shoreline DuneRestoration Multi-Purpose Levee Elevated BuildingDry Flood-Proofing Wet Flood-Proofing Temporary Floodwall Floating Building Floodable Park Absorbent StreetCanal Street Revetment CATALOG OF DESIGN STRATEGIES Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time Lowest Cost Longest Lifespan Highest Sea Level Rise Effectiveness Highest Storm Surge Protection Shortest Install Time
  • 32.
    this is Wherehigh tide could be during a storm in 2050 underground cistern living shoreline Floating building living shoreline Floodable Park absorbent street storm surge barrier multi-Purpose levee absorbent street dry Flood- Proofing elevated building Wet Flood- Proofing dry Flood- Proofing Floodable Park Floating building raised bulkhead temp Floodwall Floodable Park dune restoration living shoreline Potential location oF Future design strategies Floodable Park char l es r i v er cambridge boston b o st o n har b o r charlestown winthrop quincy We need to design for rising seas at multiple scales
  • 33.
    buildings How can webuild for rising tides? Boston’s future architecture should build to a new standard of flood protection and flood accommodation. Existing buildings, including historic residences and commercial properties, will need to be retrofitted to keep water out. New buildings will provide the opportunity to take a different approach, built to adapt to changing water levels.
  • 34.
  • 35.
    SETTING THE BAR: Boston,Amsterdam, maasbommel, Brooklyn Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Floating Houses, IJburg Amphibious Homes Rebuild by Design, Coastal Commercial Resiliency CreatedbyCooper,Robertson&PartnersandDewberryConsultants,LLC. calloutcoloradjustedfromoriginal “maasbommel037”onFlickrbyloesvaneck-verhoevenislicensed underCCBY-SA2.0/saturationandskyadjustedfromoriginal ©LuukKramer|MarliesRohmerArchitectsandPlanners ©AntonGrassl/ESTO|Perkins+Will
  • 36.
    public space How canwe adapt existing open spaces to accommodate water? Public space accounts for one third of land in Boston. Rather than trying to keep water completely out, the city can leverage this existing space by designing areas that periodically accommodate flooding, stormwater, and high tides. These public spaces can be constructed to be absorbent or to withstand submersion when flooding occurs. In dry or wet conditions, they can serve as desirable amenities to the city.
  • 37.
  • 38.
    SETTING THE BAR: NewOrleans, Rotterdam, SEoul, Portland Cheonggyecheon Portland Green Streets ©EnvironmentalServices,Portland,Oregon ©EmilyOrpin Watersquare Benthemplein ©pallesh+azarfane|WatersquareBenthempleinbyDEURBANISTEN Client:CityofRotterdam,theNetherlands The Greater New Orleans Urban Water Plan “NewOrleansFlood”onFlickrbySteveSchaafislicensedunderCCBY-SA2.0
  • 39.
    How can weadapt Boston’s coast to rising seas? Boston’s coast comprises public space, islands, beaches, backyards, and industrial facilities. The city has traditionally invested in armoring its coastal edge using bulkheads, seawalls, and revetments, but these inflexible structures make it difficult for Boston to gradually adapt to rising sea levels. Alternative edge conditions like terraced public space, floating neighborhoods, floodable open space, and absorbent parks are more responsive to changing water levels—and provide engaging community amenities. coast
  • 40.
  • 41.
    SETTING THE BAR: NEWYORK, ASBURY PARK, BALTIMORE Rebuild by Design, Asbury Park Boardwalk + Dunes HafenCity NYC Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency (SIRR) Masonville Cove Urban Refuge ©StephaniePeters|MarylandEnvironmentalService ©SasakiAssociates “HurricaneSandyBlackoutNewYorkSkyline”onFlickrbyDavidShankboneis licensedunderCCBY2.0 “Hafencity”onFlickrbyEichentalislicensedunderCCBY-ND2.0
  • 42.
    region Sea level risecrosses political boundaries —so should our plan. Large-scale issues such as sea level rise call for regional decision-making. The impacts of sea level rise will be felt beyond Boston and other waterfront cities. Individual actions and city-level plans may not be enough to mitigate the worst effects. Solutions that cross city boundaries may be needed, which will require municipalities and agencies to work together. A regional planning process can be a forum that brings together political leaders, scientists, economists, and the broader public to discuss tough questions.
  • 43.
    Sea level riseCROSSES POLITICAL BOUNDARIES, SO SHOULD OUR PLAN REASONS TO THINK regionally Regional impactsEnhanced collaboration and coordination; the whole is more than the sum of the parts Complex issues and long time frames Cost effectiveness Watershed and landscape issues cross city boundaries Bring multiple agencies and cities together Broadened public participation in key decisions region
  • 44.
    FOCUS ON RESILIENCE INTHE FACE OF RISING SEA LEVELS AND CLIMATE CHANGE BROAD FOCUS ON GROWTH, HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, JOBS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT BOSTON’S CURRENT REGIONAL PLAN: 20 year time frameSUSTAINABILITY 75+ YEAR TIME FRAME BASED ON SEA LEVEL RISE PROJECTIONS RESILIENCE ABILITY TO CHANGE BASED ON CONTEMPORARY CONSIDERATIONS DECISIONS MADE DURING PLANNING PROCESS A PLAN THAT ADDRESSES SEA LEVEL RISE SHOULD INCLUDE: THE TIME TO BE PROACTIVE IS NOW what should the next generation of planning look like in the boston region? region
  • 45.
    ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY Boston residentstalk about sea level rise. The Sea Change team conducted interviews across the city to document the public voice and learn about the public’s awareness of sea level rise. These interviews are documented in a series of photos, videos, and written essays.
  • 46.
    “I HAVE BEEN DOINGTHIS MY WHOLE LIFE. THE INDUSTRY HAS NEVER BEEN MORE vulnerable.” FRANK PATANIA Frank is a lifelong fisherman on Boston’s Fish Pier. The seafood industry has been part of his family for generations. The water defines Frank’s life. Through his years working and living by the coast, he has experienced storm impacts, sea level rise, and fishing regulation that make his industry vulnerable. He understands the importance of our connection to the sea, and hopes for smart development along the coast.
  • 47.
    “WE WERE HERE DURING THEBLIZZARD OF 1978. IT WAS A MESS.” SEBASTIAN AND ROSE DI MARE Sebastian and Rose are frequent visitors to the Revere beachfront and lived in the area during the Blizzard of 1978. They view the beach as a vital community resource with historic and cultural value. They have seen the beach change from storm impacts over the years, including a decline in beachfront development and investment. Sebastian and Rose support making the beach more resilient and encourage greater community support for the area.
  • 48.
    “PEOPLE NEED RESPECT FOR NATURE ANDTHE EARTH.” MAURICE RIGAUD On a sunny day, Maurice came to the beach with his nephew Julius to enjoy the good weather. Maurice is a deep thinker with tough questions about our attempts to control nature. He believes in the power of popular consensus to bring about change, but he said too many people are out of touch and unaware. When asked what we can do about our city’s vulnerabilities, Maurice said, “We can’t take care of our roads let alone our beaches.”
  • 49.
    academic partnerships The next generationof designers are at the forefront of innovative design thinking. Partnerships between academic institutions and professional design firms have emerged as a productive model for tackling challenging problems. Recently, the topic of resilient design has become a subject of inquiry. With practitioners facilitating academic exercises, the next generation can address these design problems with both pragmatic sensitivity and creative freedom.
  • 50.
    Sasaki Summer InternCharette Sasaki’s annual internship charette is a two-week workshop that focuses on a local issue. In June 2013, as part of the Sea Change research initiative, the interns focused specifically on sea level rise implications and design solutions for South Boston. The group broke into four teams that focused design projects on the diverse economic, demographic, and ecologic impacts of sea level rise. designing for rising seas in south boston
  • 51.
    BAC Fall NaturalSystems Studio During Fall 2013, the Natural Systems studio at the Boston Architectural College built upon the Sasaki interns’ research and designed resiliency strategies for East Boston. Over the course of the semester, guest critics—including coastal engineers, designers, and Boston Harbor experts—provided insight and expertise. For the final project, the studio was divided into two interdisciplinary design teams. imagining east boston’s future
  • 52.
    the exhibition Sea Change:Boston has become a call to action and a platform for partnerships. Sea Change: Boston is intended to catalyze conversations with a broader audience about the tough questions and regional implications of sea level rise. Throughout the process, Sasaki has cultivated partnerships with the Boston Architectural College, the City of Boston, and The Boston Harbor Association. Partnering with District Hall also provided a unique venue to reach a broad audience in the heart of one of Boston’s most vulnerable districts.
  • 59.
    the symposium The symposiumfostered a discussion about the challenges of preparing for sea level rise. As an extension of the Sea Change: Boston exhibition, the symposium brought together designers, engineers, city leaders, academics, and community members for a day-long conversation about how to make Boston a resilient city in the face of sea level rise.
  • 60.
    Design Strategies: Making ChangeVisible From floating apartment buildings to floodable parks, designers and engineers around the world are imagining and constructing resilient solutions to rising sea levels. This panel explores how resilient design strategies allow Boston’s buildings and infrastructure to bounce back from storms and adjust to rising tides. Tough Questions: Should We Stay or Should We Go? In the face of rising waters and increased storm-related flooding, communities will have to decide what to do with their flood-prone areas. Continually repairing storm damages and providing services to these vulnerable neighborhoods demands significant government resources. This panel examines case studies of flooded communities and delves into the options Boston will have to consider. Thinking Big: The Regional Planning Approach The impacts of sea level rise will be felt beyond Boston and other waterfront cities. Solutions that cross city boundaries may be needed, which will require municipalities and agencies to work together. This panel analyzes how a regional planning process in Boston can be a forum that brings together political leaders, scientists, economists, and the broader public to discuss tough questions related to changing tides. Gina Ford (moderator) SASAKI ASSOCIATES Barbara Wilks W ARCHITECTURE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Walter Meyer LOCAL OFFICE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Robert Nairn BAIRD ASSOCIATES Hubert Murray PARTNERS HEALTHCARE Julie Wormser (moderator) THE BOSTON HARBOR ASSOCIATION Jason Hellendrung SASAKI ASSOCIATES Kristina Ford COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY Robert Culver SASAKI ASSOCIATES Jerold Kayden HARVARD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF DESIGN Ted Landsmark (moderator) BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE Helen Lochhead SYDNEY HARBOUR FORESHORE AUTHORITY James Miner SASAKI ASSOCIATES Robbin Peach MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY Martin Pillsbury METROPOLITAN AREA PLANNING COUNCIL PANELISTS PANELS