The Sustainable Solutions Lab at UMass Boston has released new research exploring the question of what is necessary for true community and climate resilience in East Boston. The report, , released December 17, was requested by a group of local advocacy organizations convened by the Barr Foundation called the Waterfront Partners.
The report was authored by Patricio Belloy, PhD candidate in the Department of Public Policy and Public Affairs; Antonio Raciti, assistant professor of community planning and ecological design in the School for the Environment; Katsyris Rivera-Kientz, PhD candidate in the College of Liberal Arts; and Rebecca Herst, director of the Sustainable Solutions Lab.
East Boston is very vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, particularly flooding. Some of the projects the City of Boston would like to advance in East Boston are not currently possible due to the regulatory restrictions of 鈥淒esignated Port Areas鈥 (DPAs). It is within this context that the Boston Planning and Development Agency requested that the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management review the boundaries of the DPAs in East Boston. Local residents, however, are concerned that if these areas are de-designated, high-end housing developments will come in. Since East Boston is currently facing a housing crisis and long-time residents are being displaced as housing costs skyrocket, there are valid concerns about additional high-end development. While these new developments might help reduce flooding in the neighborhood, they would also continue to drive up housing costs.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a challenging problem,鈥 acknowledged Belloy, lead author of the report. 鈥淏ut through our research we heard from residents that they have hopes that climate resilience can also be a vehicle for concurrently addressing the most pressing economic, social, and environmental problems of East Boston.鈥
The paper focused on three main themes to advance equitable climate resilience: inclusive decision making, a holistic perspective on the interconnection between challenges residents face, and re-evaluating success incrementally to ensure desired results are happening. Recommendations include using neutral professional mediators to help manage community engagement and prioritizing the vision East Boston residents have for access to the waterfront for community members and small businesses.
鈥淭his research provides relevant evidence around preparing the built environment to be protected by the effects of climate change, reflects critically on the ongoing adaptation planning, and focuses on what approach to planning is desirable for these coastal communities to move forward,鈥 Raciti said.
This project was partly funded by a grant from the McCormack Graduate School Dean鈥檚 Office for Student Success Program. The report is available in and in ; the recording of the report briefing is also available in and .