Boston Climate Resilient Design Standards & Guidelines for Protection of Public Rights-of-Way

As described in the Guidelines’ Executive Summary, “The City of Boston has prepared Climate Resilient Design Standards and Guidelines to address both acute and chronic flooding due to sea level rise (SLR) and storm surge to protect the public rights of-way. The guidelines provide climate design adjustments for design of flood barriers and a process for evaluating design, operations, maintenance, and cost considerations.” The guidelines are a part of the city’s effort to prepare for 40 inches of sea-level rise by 2070. They provide, among other items, “a menu of sample flood protection options with engineering design considerations, preliminary cost estimates, as well as operations and maintenance guidance.”