Boston Unveils Green Infrastructure Plan

The city will start by redesigning curb extensions to incorporate elements that improve flood prevention and stormwater management.

1 minute read

October 30, 2022, 5:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


On the heels of appointing its first director of green infrastructure this summer, the city of Boston announced a green infrastructure policy aimed at incorporating sustainability and resilience into “certain small-scale, right-of-way city infrastructure projects,” specifically curb extensions. 

Writing in Smart Cities Dive, Katie Pyzyk describes the plan, which has three parts: “five alternative curb bump-out designs that incorporate green infrastructure, two maintenance contracts for upkeep at new green infrastructure installations and a volunteer ‘adopt a space’ program for green infrastructure maintenance.”

Curb bump-outs typically are paved, but Boston’s alternative designs convert the small spaces into water management features. New curb extensions must incorporate at least one of the five named green infrastructure alternatives: bioretention, such as rain gardens; surface infiltration, such as tree pits; porous paving materials; subsurface infiltration, such as underground stone or sand; and one-time seeding for low-grow, evergreen grass or wildflowers.

Pyzyk describes green infrastructure as “a water management approach that mimics nature’s water cycles” and “incorporates plants and other materials to help stormwater absorb back into the ground and improve water quality through filtration.” According to Pyzyk, “green infrastructure reduces stress on existing ‘gray infrastructure’ — traditional stormwater management elements such as roads, drains, gutters, pipes and dams.”

Friday, October 28, 2022 in Smart Cities Dive

babyt Boomer Homeowners

The Shifting Boomer Bulge: More Bad News for America’s Housing Crisis?

In the first of a two-part series, PlaceMakers’ Ben Brown interviews housing guru Arthur C. Nelson on the sweeping demographic changes complicating the housing market.

March 12, 2023 - PlaceShakers and NewsMakers

Aerial view of snowy single-family homes in suburban Long Island, New York

New York Governor Advances Housing Plan Amid Stiff Suburban Opposition

Governor Kathy Hochul’s ambitious proposal to create more housing has once again run into a brick wall of opposition in New York’s enormous suburbs, especially on Long Island. This year, however, the wall may have some cracks.

March 20, 2023 - Mark H. McNulty

Yellow on black "Expect Delays" traffic sign

A Serious Critique of Congestion Costs and Induced Vehicle Travel Impacts

Some highway advocates continue to claim that roadway expansions are justified to reduce traffic congestion. That's not what the research shows. It's time to stop obsessing over congestion and instead strive for efficient accessibility.

March 14, 2023 - Todd Litman

Pedestrian stoplight with green 'walk' silhouette lit up and blurry city buildings in background

Historically Redlined Neighborhoods Have Higher Rates of Pedestrian Deaths, Study Says

The consequences of historic redlining continue to have consequences in the present day United States. Add another example to the list.

45 minutes ago - Streetsblog USA

A toll payment facility in Florida.

Tolling All Lanes

Bay Area transportation planners are studying a radical idea to reduce traffic congestion and fund driving alternatives: tolling all lanes on a freeway. Even more radical, the plan considers tolling parallel roads.

March 21 - San Francisco Chronicle

Close-up of person holding up smartphone next to contactless fare reading device on bus

Federal SMART Grants Awarded for Transportation Safety, Equity Projects

The grant program focuses on the use of technology to improve safety, accessibility, and efficiency in transportation.

March 21 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

Planner II

City of Greenville

Planner I

City of Greenville

Rural Projects Coordinator (RARE AmeriCorps Member)

Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) AmeriCorps Program

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.