- 1.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 citys 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) {seecheynj} :a marked change:transformation*
2. 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 additionaland
catastrophicimpact on our coastlines beyond current sea level rise
projections. Global sea levels are projected to rise 12 feet by
2050 and 36 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 69 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. 3. 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 4. CAUSES OF SEA LEVEL RISE Warming Waters Glacial Melting
Land Subsidence 5. 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 6. GLOBAL SEA LEVELS ARE PROJECTED TO
RISE 12 FEET BY 2050 and 36 FEET BY 2100. 7. 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 8. 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 9. 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 Noreasters. 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. 10. NORMAL TIDE STORM SURGE STORM TIDE
STORM SURGE WILL INCREASE FLOOD IMPACT 11. 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 12. 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 13. 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 14. The Great Northeast Blizzard of 1978 Hurricane
Noreaster 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 15. 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 16. WHATS 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 vulnerableas are
landmarks like Fenway Park. Losing homes, neighborhoods, and
cultural assets will threaten our sense of security and our unique
identityand 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. 17. Massachusetts New
England Boston sea level rise will have a ripple effect within and
beyond boston 18. 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 19. % 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 20. 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 21. 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 22. 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 23. 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 24. 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
optionsthey 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. 25. 1 Fortify (Keep Water Out) 2
Adapt (Live with Water) 3 Retreat (move to higher ground) what are
the options? 26. retreat may be necessary for the most vulnerable
areas CEDAR RAPIDS FLOOD RECOVERY PLAN POST-SANDY FLOODPLAIN BUYOUT
INITIATIVES IN NY & NJ
BuyOutWantedonFlickrbyMattGreenislicensedunderCCBY-NC-SA2.0SasakiAssociates
27. 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
28. 2 1 3 a storm barrier is possible in boston There are three
options for a storm barrier in Bostoneach 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? 29. 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 Colleges
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. 30.
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 31. 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 32. buildings How can we build for rising tides?
Bostons 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. 33. Elevated Building Dry Flood- Proofing
Wet Flood- Proofing Temporary Floodwall Floating Building FLOOD
SCENARIO BUILDING A NEW STANDARD IN BOSTON BUILDINGS 34. 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
maasbommel037onFlickrbyloesvaneck-verhoevenislicensed
underCCBY-SA2.0/saturationandskyadjustedfromoriginal
LuukKramer|MarliesRohmerArchitectsandPlanners
AntonGrassl/ESTO|Perkins+Will 35. 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. 36. Underground Cistern Floodable Park Absorbent Street Canal
Street MAKING ROOM FOR WATER IN THE CITY public space 37. 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
NewOrleansFloodonFlickrbySteveSchaafislicensedunderCCBY-SA2.0 38.
How can we adapt Bostons coast to rising seas? Bostons 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
levelsand provide engaging community amenities. coast 39. Living
Shoreline Storm Surge Barrier Dune Restoration Raised Bulkhead
Multi- Purpose Levee RETHINKING THE BOSTON HARBOR EDGE coast 40.
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
HurricaneSandyBlackoutNewYorkSkylineonFlickrbyDavidShankboneis
licensedunderCCBY2.0
HafencityonFlickrbyEichentalislicensedunderCCBY-ND2.0 41. 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. 42. 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 43. FOCUS ON RESILIENCE IN
THE FACE OF RISING SEA LEVELS AND CLIMATE CHANGE BROAD FOCUS ON
GROWTH, HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, JOBS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT BOSTONS
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 44.
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 publics awareness of
sea level rise. These interviews are documented in a series of
photos, videos, and written essays. 45. I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS MY
WHOLE LIFE. THE INDUSTRY HAS NEVER BEEN MORE vulnerable. FRANK
PATANIA Frank is a lifelong fisherman on Bostons Fish Pier. The
seafood industry has been part of his family for generations. The
water defines Franks 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. 46. 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. 47.
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 citys vulnerabilities, Maurice said, We cant take care of
our roads let alone our beaches. 48. 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. 49. Sasaki Summer Intern Charette Sasakis 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 50. 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 criticsincluding coastal engineers, designers, and
Boston Harbor expertsprovided insight and expertise. For the final
project, the studio was divided into two interdisciplinary design
teams. imagining east bostons future 51. 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 Bostons most vulnerable districts.
52. 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. 53. 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
Bostons 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 ARCHITECTURELANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Walter Meyer LOCAL OFFICE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Robert Nairn
BAIRDASSOCIATES 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
