Massachusetts

Boston, Massachusetts: Everett Street Pilot Demonstration Project

City: Boston
Country / US State / US Territory: Massachusetts
Type of Solution: Streets and Parking Lots
Climate Impact: Extreme Temperatures and Urban Heat Island Effect; Air Quality; Extreme Precipitation and Flooding
Social Value Created: Water Security and Quality; Public Spaces; Community Engagement; Public Education; Urban Beautification

The Everett Street Pilot demonstration project was completed as part of the Blue Cities Initiative. The project transformed an asphalt parking lot adjacent to the German International School of Boston into a valuable public space. Green infrastructure filters the air, improving air quality, mitigates extreme temperatures and the urban heat island effect, and helps to slow and capture runoff, preventing flooding.

The parking lot incorporated two rain gardens, permeable pavement, and a stormwater tree pit. Trees produce more shade, reducing health risks from the extreme temperatures and improving resident comfort. The landscape is also more aesthetically appealing, contributing to urban beautification, and provides more greenspace for the community to access.

The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) coordinated student and community member volunteers to help with landscaping and planting trees for the project, engaging community members and educating them on the connection between green infrastructure, stormwater management, and water quality.

Fig: Green infrastructure along Everett Street. Source: https://www.crwa.org/blue-cities/demonstration-projects/everett-street-pilot

Boston, Massachusetts: Architectural College Green Alley Initiative

City: Boston
Country / US State / US Territory: Massachusetts
Type of Solution: Green Infrastructure
Climate Impact: Social Value Created: Education; water security and quality

The Boston Architectural College (BAC) completed a green alley demonstration project on its campus. The green alley uses permeable paving that allows water to infiltrate into the ground, filtering pollutants out of the water and recharging the groundwater, contributing to water security and quality. BAC plans to connect the Green Alley to the geothermal well system on campus to support the campus’ use of renewable energy and achieve the net zero energy goal.

The green alley also serves education purposes, educating faculty, staff, and students, as well as for the general public, on the benefits and design of green infrastructure.