Engineer Collins Engineers, Inc. East Greenwich, Rhode Island, United States
Abstract: Sea level rise is an ever-present global threat to industrial waterfront operations. The Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park (the Marine Park), located in the Seaport district of South Boston, Massachusetts is not immune as its historically filled tidal areas and lowlands are experiencing increasingly frequent and intense flooding and storm surge events. The City of Boston (the City) has identified the neighborhood as a critical asset for its future planning and job-growth in marine industrial sectors. The Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) manages the infrastructure and development in the district and has been spearheading the efforts to update the aged waterfront infrastructure and protect the area for the long-term.
The BPDA has published multiple plans and guidelines to promote the continued growth and development within the Marine Park while balancing public access to the waterfront, emphasizing flood resilient designs based on detailed modeling studies. The Boston Harborwalk is a 43-mile stretch of linear park along Boston’s shoreline and provides a buffer between the Marine Park and Boston Harbor. It has the potential to protect from coastal events and promote public access to the waterfront, but the current elevation of the Harborwalk does not adequately protect from flood events. As the BPDA repairs and updates the waterfront infrastructure, they are relying on waterfront design experts to leverage the recommendations and design standards to raise the top elevation of their seawalls and bulkheads to protect against future storms and sea level rise projected to be near 40-inches by 2070.
Seamlessly integrating the Harborwalk with the surrounding landscapes and closing flood pathways with new walls or barriers is no easy task, with some walls as tall as 6-feet to tie into existing site features cutting off the neighborhood and reducing the public’s view and engagement of the waterfront.
This paper explores the BPDA’s approach to protect the Marine Park from current floods, future high tides, and critical storm events. Case studies will be discussed in detail to reflect their approach that designers can bring to similar clients to present a forward-thing resolution that incorporates infrastructure design life and long-term maintenance and improvement plans. The BPDA has leaned on their history and lessons learned to focus on adaptability and incremental increases as sea level rise projections are refined. A universal solution cannot be applied for the entire perimeter of the Marine Park. By modifying the seawalls and blending Harborwalk into the surrounding landscape, the BPDA has provided a unique public experience and increases the public’s waterfront engagement through raised walkways, terraced viewing areas and green space, and planted walls to separate pedestrian and industrial areas.
As a managing entity, the BPDA must rely on the City’s resiliency strategies to protect their interest and infrastructure, but must also balance the industrial stakeholders who rely on the Marine Park and the public who have a right to engage with and enjoy the waterfront. This paper will demonstrate a holistic approach to planning for neighborhood-wide development.
How does this project / topic contribute to the advancement of the industry and profession?: The project includes an overarching approach to the improvements, balancing the public’s access and interaction with the shoreline, minimal disturbance and impacts to the industrial sector and other tenants. This paper will help designers consider a holistic approach by being proactive and forward-thinking, increasing the effectiveness of adaptive and resilient designs.
Does the project / topic implement new and innovative techniques, materials, technologies, and delivery methods?: Yes, this project implements new delivery methods in terms of a unique approach to understanding how a resilient design will directly and indirectly affect all parties.
What was the most challenging aspect of your project / topic and how did you handle it to ensure success?: The biggest challenge is to increase the height of the coastal seawalls within the limited footprint available for the Harborwalk without cutting off public access to the water.
Who is the target audience for this paper?: The target audience includes engineers and designers, ports, or other waterfront owners.
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