Barriers for Change: Opportunities and Challenges of the Boston Harbor Barrier

Boston’s relationship to the harbor has dictated its location, shaped its physical form, and provided access to global markets since its founding. In the years since the completion of the Big Dig, the city has reclaimed much of the former industrial land along the water’s edge for housing, recreation, and the creation of entirely new neighborhoods. However, rising sea levels threaten to turn this asset into a liability unless bold action is undertaken to protect the city. The idea of a harbor barrier, first proposed 30 years ago, has received renewed attention as a solution in the recently released “Climate Ready Boston” plan.

Please join the BSA Infra\tecture Committee for its inaugural session on Thursday, April 27 for a thought-provoking panel discussion exploring the potential environmental, economic, and design challenges and opportunities the barrier presents.

Speakers:
Chris Busch AICP, Senior Waterfront Planner III, Boston Planning and Development Agency
Paul Kirshen, Academic Director, Sustainable Solutions Lab; Professor of Climate Adaptation, School for the Environment, UMass Boston
Hubert Murray FAIA, Hubert Murray Architect + Planner

Moderators:
Brian Gregory Assoc AIA, Gamble Associates
Josh Fiala AIA, AICP, Metropolitan Area Planning Council

The BSA Infra\tecture Committee functions as a convener of design excellence that brings together the professions that plan, design, and engineer Boston's infrastructure.The Infra\tecture Committee will be hosting monthly meetings to foster multidisciplinary conversation around a broad range of infrastructure topics with a focus on design excellence and the design implications of the underlying structures of transportation, energy, and sustainability.

For those who qualify, 1.5 LU/HSW/SDs are available.

To learn more about Infra\tecture, visit architects.org/committees/infratecture

Click Register to attend.