[Photo: Eric Roth]
Behind the scenes at some of Boston’s best sustainable buildings.
As one of the most progressive cities in the U.S., it’s no surprise Boston would also be on top of its game when it comes to sustainability. At a time when the effects of climate change have become all too apparent, the city continues to lead by example, being proactive in the face of flood risks and more.
The city’s commitment is clear, from eco-friendly renovations to net zero construction projects. “Boston is proud to have been recognized as the most energy-efficient city in the country this year by the The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, and this recognition highlights how Boston is committed to continually improving our city,” says Austin Blackmon, chief of Environment, Energy & Open Space. “We are becoming a more resilient city through Climate Ready Boston, our residents and small businesses are becoming more energy efficient through Renew Boston, and we are committed to being carbon neutral by 2050.”
Blackmon says the city will continue to pursue policies and engage residents in a way that promotes sustainability, building on the work that has already been accomplished. Climate Ready Boston, one of the city’s current priority initiatives, assesses the city’s vulnerability and outlines goals, from developing local climate resilience plans to creating a coastal protection system to address flood risk. It details actions big and small, like having an expanded urban tree canopy and a protective, floodable waterfront park.
Many of Boston’s current and recent building projects are a further testament to how serious developers, architects, and even homeowners are when it comes to building better, greener buildings. We dug into some of the region’s most inspiring projects in the pages of a recent issue of gb&d, from the Boston Public Library renovation to Gensler’s new GE building and even a beautiful LEED Platinum house in Wellesley.
