Cambridge Studying its Vulnerability to Climate Change

The Cambridge Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment is based on detailed climate projections, heat island mapping, and precipitation driven flood modeling. Over 1,000 physical assets and social factors are assessed for vulnerability.

2 minute read

December 8, 2015, 6:00 AM PST

By Jbolduc


One of the most detailed and in-depth urban climate change vulnerability assessments is being conducted by the city of Cambridge, MA. The first report from the assessment—CCVA Report - Part 1—addresses the physical and social risks to Cambridge from increasing temperatures and precipitation, looking out toward 2030 and 2070.

The assessment uses locally downscaled climate change projections to create plausible scenarios of how climate may change over the coming decades. The projections were used to map urban heat islands, project the number of days over 90 and 100 degrees, and model both riverine and piped infrastructure flooding. With the scenarios, the city assessed about 1,000 physical assets and social factors. The vulnerability assessment will be the technical foundation for the Climate Change Preparedness and Resilience Plan that will start up in January 2016 and will also inform the citywide comprehensive plan that is starting up at the same time. The Part 1 report consists of a summary report and 3 technical reports. A second report will follow in February 2016 about the risks from sea level rise and storm surges.

Detailed modeling, based on the Advanced Circulation (ADCIRC) and SWAN models has been completed in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to develop the Boston Harbor Flood Risk Model. This is a probabilistic model that computes risks associated with storm surges under future climate change scenarios, based on about 6,000 storms of the past and simulated for the future. Results of the modeling are available on the city website.

Monday, November 30, 2015 in CCVA Report

portrait of professional woman

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 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 Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

May 21, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Flat modern glass office tower with "County of Santa Clara" sign.

Santa Clara County Dedicates Over $28M to Affordable Housing

The county is funding over 600 new affordable housing units via revenue from a 2016 bond measure.

May 23 - San Francisco Chronicle

Aerial view of dense urban center with lines indicating smart city concept.

Why a Failed ‘Smart City’ Is Still Relevant

A Google-backed proposal to turn an underused section of Toronto waterfront into a tech hub holds relevant lessons about privacy and data.

May 23 - Governing

Pale yellow Sears kit house with red tile roof in Sylva, North Carolina.

When Sears Pioneered Modular Housing

Kit homes sold in catalogs like Sears and Montgomery Ward made homeownership affordable for midcentury Americans.

May 23 - The Daily Yonder