Green Streets and the Urban E i t Cli t ChEnvironment-Climate Change Challenges

Mayor Thomas M. Menino

g

Bryan Glascock, CommissionerEnvironment Department, City of Boston

In 2008, Boston has been ranked one of the most sustainable cities in the US:

National Leader in Sustainability

In 2008, Boston has been ranked one of the most sustainable cities in the US:

• Ranked 3rd by Popular Science Magazine

• Ranked 6th by SustainLane.com

Boston Green Building Zoning - Article 37

● Requires all Large q gProjects (50,000 sf +) to meet LEED Certified StandardsStandards

● LEED Certified = 26 of 69 Available Points26 of 69 Available Points[LEED New Construction]

● Boston Priority Points

Atlantic Wharf – LEED Gold• Green roof and 71 drainage

collection points

• 40,000 gal. storage tank

W t it hill d• Water reuse onsite, chilled water cooling

• 90% of stormwater captured and reused onsite, 12.5 million gals. annuallyg y

Boston 1630Boston 1630

Boston TodayBoston Today

Groundwater Conservation Zoning

Demonstrate no detrimental effect on groundwater levelsg

Such projects must include a defined amount of recharge capacity

Any new paving must include the ability to recharge

UCS - The Future 100-Year Flood under the Higher-Emissions Scenario

Source: NECIA/UCS, 2007 (see: www.climatechoices.org/ne/)( g )

City of Boston Climate Action Plan Update Process

GHG Inventory

GHG Reduction

Goals

City of Boston2010Adaptation Mitigation2010

Climate Action Plan

Adaptation Strategies

Mitigation Strategies

Green CommunityEconomy

Plan

Community Engagement

Plan

11

Increase Tree Canopy to 35% by 2030

Complete Streets: Green Sustainable Stormwater

Guiding Principles:g p

– Manage stormwater runoff both at the source and at the surface.source and at the surface.

– Use plants and soil to slow, filter, cleanse and infiltrate runoffcleanse and infiltrate runoff.

– Design facilities that are simple, low-cost and aesthetically enhance thecost and aesthetically enhance the community.

(Source EPA) 

Peabody Square Project

BMPs recommended:– Rain garden/s (collecting g ( g

some street runoff and sheet flow from pedestrian areas)

– Street trees designed for stormwater collection

– Green roofs– Stormwater planters– Cisterns

Stormwater planters– Stormwater planters– Tree Filters

Boston Architectural College-Green Alley Project

Credit to: Halvorson Design-Bob Uhlig, PIC, Rob Adams, Senior Associate, Jonathan Peet Associate

Boston Architectural College-Green Alley Project

Credit to: Halvorson Design-Bob Uhlig, PIC, Rob Adams, Senior Associate, Jonathan Peet Associate

“Our green agenda will improve our environment and public health while stimulating our growing clean tech economy and create jobs. Each of these initiatives speak to the core values of Bostonians.”

– Mayor Thomas M. Meninoy