Arup has published a handbook for designing neighborhoods and cities with greater flood resilience, based on a participatory approach tested in Boston.
Urban planning and flood resilience: a critical priority for climate adaptation
As the Italian Ministry for the Environment and Energy Security (Mase) reports, 93.9% of Italian municipalities face significant hydrogeological risk. This threat impacts 3.9% of the national building stock and 13% of the country’s infrastructure, increasingly exposed to severe flooding and extreme weather linked to climate change. In this context, planning cities with flood resilience in mind becomes a critical strategy for future survival.
Boston is paving the way with smart territorial planning. Engineering firm Arup, in collaboration with the Wharf District Council, has published the Neighborhood Resiliency Project Handbook—a practical guide for developing and executing flood resilience projects in urban environments.
This model, developed across the Atlantic, offers valuable lessons that can be adapted by cities worldwide. Its success lies in high-quality planning and inclusive governance strategies, particularly the engagement of local communities.
Rising risk in Boston: sea levels could increase by 1.39 meters
The Arup handbook consolidates key insights from the Wharf District Council’s 2023 Climate Resiliency Plan. This public-private partnership brought together municipal, state, and federal agencies to create a shared vision for flood protection at the district level.
“By building strong consensus among such a diverse group of stakeholders, we achieved something truly groundbreaking with the 2023 resilience plan,” said Derek Anderson, associate at Arup and one of the handbook’s lead authors. “Nothing like this had been done before in Boston—maybe not even nationwide. When we realized other communities could lead similar initiatives, we knew it was our responsibility to share everything we learned to help prepare them for success.”
Boston was a strategic starting point: the city ranks among the most vulnerable to flood events. Projections suggest sea levels along the waterfront could rise by nearly 1.39 meters (approximately 4.6 feet) by 2070.
The first step: engaging local communities
The handbook provides actionable guidance for identifying where and when flood resilience projects will be most effective for both communities and government agencies. It also includes technical directions for engineering interventions designed to protect properties and public assets.
One of the key takeaways from the Wharf District Council’s 2023 plan is the value of community involvement. Unlike traditional top-down approaches driven solely by public administration, this participatory method proved highly effective.
As Arup highlights, the process enabled open dialogue with private property owners. This, in turn, facilitated access to funding mechanisms to cover capital expenses for implementing engineering solutions.
Moreover, communities can design these initiatives alongside municipal, state, and federal efforts. This approach reduces the burden on public institutions and empowers local groups to drive meaningful changes that protect both current and future residents.
Download the Neighborhood Resiliency Project Handbook
