Integrated assessment of storm surge barrier systems under present and future climates and comparison to alternatives: a case study of Boston, USA

The Political Complexity of Coastal Flood Risk Reduction: Lessons for Climate Adaptation Public Works in the U.S.

“…For instance, besides being cheaper, small‐scale coastal risk reduction projects that can be implemented quickly have been favored over larger, infrastructure‐based measures that have historically taken decades to complete, in part due to lengthy government approval (i.e., multiple acts of Congress), appropriations processes (Carter & Normand, 2019), and long construction times (Mooyaart & Jonkman, 2017). New York City's Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency and a University of Massachusetts‐Boston study both favored smaller‐scale projects over large, engineered projects like levees and surge barriers because they have been implemented faster and have co‐benefits that address social justice issues (City of New York, 2013; Kirshen et al., 2020). For example, floodable parks that provide historically marginalized groups access to recreation and green space.…”

“…For example, rising sea levels (Sweet et al., 2017), expanding coastal development (Crossett et al., 2013; Neumann et al., 2015; Titus et al., 2009), and recent hurricane disasters have encouraged several U.S. cities to investigate strategies for managing coastal floods, including adaptation works such as levees, storm surge barriers and other megastructures (Table 1; City and County of San Francisco, 2016; City of New York, 2020; GCCPRD, 2018; Sustainable Solutions Lab, 2018a; USACE, 2016, 2018a, 2018b, 2019, 2020b, 2020a). These risk reduction strategies have proven to be technically and economically viable options for densely populated areas to manage sea‐level rise and coastal flooding (e.g., the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier in Providence, Rhode Island; Figure 1; Aerts et al., 2014; Hill et al., 2012; Jonkman et al., 2013; Kirshen et al., 2020; Merrell et al., 2011; Mooyaart & Jonkman, 2017; Morang, 2016; US National Research Council, 2014). Densely populated regions often lack the space to take advantage of nature‐based approaches (e.g., beach widening and wetland restoration) and other coastal adaptation options (e.g., managed retreat, informed land‐use planning, building codes, and insurance) can conflict with local development goals.…”

Screening for nonstationary analysis

“…An example of this is the recent decision of the City of Boston USA not to plan to install a massive harbor-wide barrier system to protect it from present and future coastal flooding (Kirshen et al, 2018(Kirshen et al, , 2020Climate Ready Boston, 2021). It was found that the system was not cost-effective, and after a few decades of operation, the gates would have to close perhaps as frequently as once per week because of sea level riseresulting in increased chance of operational failure of the gates, and ecological, recreational, and shipping impacts.…”

“…The previous analysis of Kirshen et al (2018Kirshen et al ( , 2020 used in the comparison of harbor-wide barriers versus shore-based Natural-Based Solutions to protect metro Boston from present and increased coastal flooding falls into Quadrant II of Figure 3. Hobbs et al (1997) Based upon the results of using decision analysis to determine adaptation strategies (see the below section on 'Decision Analysis'), Hobbs et al (1997) developed a five step procedure on when to apply decision analysis.…”

The political complexity of coastal flood risk reduction: lessons for climate adaptation public works in the U.S.

“…For instance, besides being cheaper, small-scale coastal risk reduction projects that can be implemented quickly have been favored over larger, infrastructure-based measures that have historically taken decades to complete, in part due to lengthy government approval (i.e., multiple acts of Congress), appropriations processes , and long construction times (Mooyaart & Jonkman, 2017). New York City's Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency and a University of Massachusetts-Boston study both favored smaller-scale projects over large, engineered projects like levees and surge barriers because they have been implemented faster and have co-benefits that address social justice issues (City of New York, 2013;Kirshen et al, 2020). For example, floodable parks that provide historically marginalized groups access to recreation and green space.…”