Internal design criteria build environmental benefits into certain future City of Boston public infrastructure
Mayor Michelle Wu today announced a new policy requiring certain city projects to include environmental benefits and stormwater mitigation from the use of green infrastructure. The policy establishes five new standard designs and the accompanying maintenance her resources needed to scale up the implementation of small-scale green infrastructure installations in Boston. In dense urban areas where space for public sidewalks and carriageways (called right-of-way) is limited, small-scale green infrastructure (GI) can reduce stormwater flooding, promote groundwater recharge, and reduce runoff. Effective in filtering contaminants from objects. In addition, green infrastructure has many co-benefits such as increasing urban tree canopy, mitigating urban heat island effects, and enhancing ecosystem diversity.
“Today, we are announcing Boston’s first green infrastructure policy, which sets a new standard for safer and more sustainable road infrastructure across the city,” he said. Mayor Michelle Wu“Combined, these factors make communities safer, more engaged, and more climate resilience.”
This new policy applies to curb extensions, also known as neckdowns, bulbouts and bumpouts. Curb extension reduces the crossing distance from one side of the road to the other, improves crosswalk safety by preventing vehicles from getting too close to the crosswalk, and makes pedestrians visible to drivers. will do so. Curb extensions can also be used to provide crosswalk access for people with reduced mobility or in wheelchairs. Due to Boston’s compact nature, curb extension projects often create small spaces that are not suitable for other uses. Historically, these spaces have been paved with impermeable materials.
“These new design standards will allow the city to continue enhancing our streets as public spaces for all,” he said. Street Chief Jascha Franklin-Hodge“These curb extensions help keep neighborhoods safe by slowing cars and making it easier for pedestrians to cross roads. can also be profitable.”
“By integrating green infrastructure into city projects as a standard, we can reduce stormwater flooding, create new green spaces and provide more shade in all areas.” Kate England, Director of Green Infrastructure“We are also pleased to introduce a volunteer program that promotes stewardship by creating opportunities for neighbors to come together and take care of these new features.”
“Innovative green infrastructure policies make our communities more resilient while providing additional pathways to adapt to climate change impacts such as stormwater flooding and rising sea levels.” Reverend Mariama White Hammond, Director of Environment, Energy and Open Spaces“We are delighted to support these new design measures that bring us closer to our joint goal of becoming a Green New Deal city.”
The purpose of this policy is to help the City implement GI alternatives that override current design practices, ensure proper maintenance, and make GI a standard practice for future large capital projects. to enable integration. The five design alternatives are:
- Right of way (ROW) bioretention: Curb extensions can incorporate green infrastructure in the form of rain gardens, bioswales, etc.
- Percolation Tree Pits/Tree Trench: Curb extensions can incorporate green infrastructure in the form of percolation tree pits or percolation tree trenches.
- Porous pavements: Curb extensions can incorporate porous asphalt, permeable pavements, porous pavement installations, and porous concrete slabs.
- Underground seepage area: The curb extension can incorporate a stone seepage area (with or without perforated pipes).
- One-time sowing: Areas within the curb extension can be sown once with groundcover, low-growing fescue or wildflower mix.
Additionally, two GI-specific maintenance contracts are available for maintenance of new and existing public GI installations to extend the life of your green infrastructure. The first is a maintenance contract for porous pavement equipment. The second is contracting for landscape maintenance of “green” infrastructure functions. These two contracts provide much-needed regular maintenance, including regenerative air vacuum cleaning for porous pavement, vegetation maintenance and replacement, and pruning of his GI functions of priority roads. increase. It also provides the flexibility needed to perform maintenance as needed or requested by residents through the city’s 311 system.
This policy also establishes a volunteer program to help maintain selected GI sites. Those wishing to volunteer can sign up through an online portal to “adopt” GI functions. This program allows volunteers to help clear and seasonally clean the digestive system where we live, work and play.
This infrastructure complements the city’s network of approximately 36,000 culverts connected to approximately 600 miles of pipe below the street, maintained by the Boston Water and Sewer Commission.
Today’s announcement builds on the Wu administration’s commitment to creating resilient communities while adapting to the impacts of climate change. Green infrastructure is a key element of the recently announced Urban Forest Plan. This includes strategies to strengthen the city of Boston’s tree canopy while enhancing the livability and public health of Boston’s neighborhoods. Curb extensions will be a common tool in realizing the mayor’s vision of safer roads, announced in September.
