Rising Sea Levels Threaten Boston's Historic Treasures and Much Else

Citing a "near-term risk" of rising tides, city planners in Boston are grappling with how to prepare residents and businesses for the effects of climate change, reports Monica Brady-Myerov.

1 minute read

August 22, 2012, 8:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


With sea levels around Boston expected to rise anywhere between 2 to 6 feet by the end of the century, and storm surge models showing parts of the city could find themselves under 10 feet of water multiple times a year by 2050, the city is planning for how to deal with what officials consider a "near-term risk." 

Although the city has a comprehensive climate action plan in place, residents like Magdalena Ayed, who lives in publicly-funded housing along the waterfront, "wishes city officials would talk to Boston residents about rising sea
level and provide guidance on what local residents should do in
response."

Some businesses, like the Boston-based healthcare group Partners for Healthcare, which is
building a new rehabilitation hospital in downtown Boston, are taking matters into their own hands. They've designed their hospital to sit more than 12 feet higher
than sea level, have located all patient rooms on upper floors, and placed the mechanical equipment on the roof.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012 in NPR

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

1 hour ago - South Dakota Searchlight

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

2 hours ago - Yale Environment 360

An Ariel view of Ocean Parkway, a busy six-lane highway

This road in NYC is infamously dangerous — and Mamdani can't fix it

New York City's Ocean Parkway is known for reckless driving, but the power to implement safety measures lies with the state rather than the city.

3 hours ago - Gothamist