Coastal Flood Resilience Design Guidelines receive American Planning Association award

May 04, 2020

The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) is pleased to announce that the American Planning Association (APA) Sustainable Communities Division has awarded the City of Boston’s Coastal Flood Resilience Design Guidelines with the 2020 APA Excellence in Sustainability Award in the Policy, Law or Tool category.

Approved by the BPDA in 2019, the Guidelines build on Climate Ready Boston, Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s ongoing initiative to help Boston plan for the impacts of climate change and build a more resilient future. The Guidelines serve as a reference for residents, business owners and developers to translate flood resilience strategies into best practices.

The Guidelines will also be used to administer a future Coastal Flood Resilience Zoning Overlay District. Recommendations for the Zoning Overlay District have been developed and are currently under internal review.

The Coastal Flood Resilience Design Guidelines were developed in collaboration with the City of Boston’s Environment Department, a consultant team led by Utile, Inc. and an Advisory Committee comprised of local stakeholders. Additionally,  BPDA and City staff held open house meetings in neighborhoods that fall within the future flood hazard zone, including East Boston, Charlestown, South Boston, Downtown, Chinatown and Dorchester. These meetings provided community members an opportunity to offer feedback on the proposed guidelines.