flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Canals to mitigate flooding could be in Boston’s future

Canals to mitigate flooding could be in Boston’s future

Climate change could raise water levels 7.5 feet by 2100


By BD+C Staff | October 2, 2014
Photo: Oikos-team via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Oikos-team via Wikimedia Commons

Sea levels around Boston could rise as much as 7.5 feet by 2100, according to climate scientists. As a result, the city is at risk of significant flooding during high tides and normal rainfall let alone big storms.

The Urban Land Institute held brainstorming sessions over the last several months involving more than 70 engineers, architects, and development and insurance specialists to examine how rising sea levels would affect four representative areas in and around Boston. The group concluded that the area should consider building canals to absorb and divert water and higher sea walls for flood protection. It also called on called on municipalities to discuss ways to raise money for preparing vulnerable areas and to alter building and zoning rules to take the likelihood of flooding into account.

“We’re not going to start digging the canals tomorrow,” Brian Swett, Boston’s chief of energy, environment, and open space, told the Boston Globe. “But the report makes the important point that you can’t solve 6 feet of sea level rise simply by building a bigger dam on the Charles River.”

In the low-lying Alewife section of Cambridge, new residences might have to be concentrated into taller buildings with more space between them to make room for water infiltration. The report also suggested that retail shops be concentrated into a raised corridor to keep them above flood waters.

(http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/09/29/venice-charles-boston-solution-rising-seas-includes-novel-canal-system-back-bay-canals/F7u38NjMW9htumJ9GK2VnI/story.html?s_campaign=email_BG_TodaysHeadline)

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | May 29, 2018

Government support helping to drive demand for green building materials

Market projects to grow 12.5% annually between 2013 and 2019.

Codes and Standards | May 24, 2018

‘Amazon tax’ could slow Seattle’s construction boom

City imposes employer head count tax to fund affordable housing.

Codes and Standards | May 23, 2018

AAMA releases 2017/2018 fenestration market studies

Offers forecasts of industry trends.

Codes and Standards | May 22, 2018

Registration open for 2018 National Energy Codes Conference

U.S. Department of Energy event to be held July 15th-17th in Austin.

Codes and Standards | May 21, 2018

New standard tests quietness of floors

ASTM International method will help manufacturers test their flooring materials.

Codes and Standards | May 17, 2018

California will require solar panels on most new homes

Projected to add $10,000 to cost of new homes.

Codes and Standards | May 16, 2018

New resources offer tips on off-site construction

NIBS documents address using pre-cast concrete, and commercial and legal considerations of modular construction.

Codes and Standards | May 15, 2018

Blast testing of loaded mass timber structures yields positive results

Four tests covered a spectrum of blast loads.

Codes and Standards | May 14, 2018

Maryland makes general contractors liable for failure of subs to pay employees

GCs could have to pay for up to three times the wages owed.

Codes and Standards | May 10, 2018

Data collection, machine learning boost building efficiency

Sensors, software algorithms squeeze out waste.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




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