To combat the effects of climate change and coastal flooding, East Boston has recently announced an initiative geared towards protecting the coastal community. Under the leadership of Mayor Michelle Wu, the city intends to bolster resilience in this neighborhood, which is in line with Boston's ambitious Green New Deal efforts.
The city plans to allot $1.5 million towards devising strategies that will secure East Boston's central Border Street waterfront from potential flooding. The protective strategy will wedge itself across to the Mario Umana School and the private properties located between Border Street and the water, birthing the first Climate Ready Boston project aimed squarely at a district-scale resilience effort on private property alone, as per the City of Boston.
This advanced initiative will focus on integrating green and gray infrastructure, looking towards a holistic and long-term solution aimed at flood risk reduction while promoting access to open space and waterfront for the community. Nonetheless, achieving balance and buy-in from the diverse stakeholders involved in a comprehensive resilience strategy is critical.
“It is critical that we equip East Boston with climate-resilient infrastructure to ensure that generations of residents can thrive in the neighborhood without being harmed by coastal flooding and its effects,” declared Mayor Wu. Further emphasizing the need for collaboration with property owners, the East Boston community, and state agencies to respect the needs and priorities of all related elements.
East Boston's vulnerability to coastal flooding impacts more than its inhabitants; it also threatens vital infrastructure such as businesses, homes, and the MBTA Blue Line. The city's commitment to managing flood risk has been affirmed by Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space. “Residents in East Boston bear a disproportionate burden of climate impacts in our City. The core of our coastal resilience work on Border Street will focus on protecting our residents from the danger of flooding,” she stated.
Recently, the City of Boston was awarded a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant of $330,500. The grant's goal is to further the development of coastal resilience strategies along Bennington Street in East Boston and Frederick's Park in Revere, according to the city's report.
Throughout the years, Boston has made significant strides in creating a more resilient city through the Climate Ready Boston initiative. Not only have coastal resilience plans for Boston's 47-mile coastline been completed, but they have also performed neighborhood-level studies in East Boston, Charlestown, Downtown/North End, Dorchester, and South Boston. Furthermore, Climate Ready Boston unveiled its 2022 Heat Plan, detailing 28 strategies to mitigate heat effects in Boston’s environmental justice neighborhoods.
In launching this coastal resilience project and consciously involving property owners, state agencies, and the East Boston community, Mayor Wu and the City of Boston are setting a precedent in proactive and innovative coastal resilience solutions.
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