Future of the American City the Case of Cape Ann: Typologies of Vulnerability 2020-09-30
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FUTURE OF THE AMERICAN CITY THE CASE OF CAPE ANN: TYPOLOGIES OF VULNERABILITY 2020-09-30 Table of Contents Overview Abstract Schedule Budget Team Contacts Community Leaders and Local Stakeholders Consulted in 2020 Institutional Contacts to Consult in 2021 Harvard University Contacts External Research Consultants Reports, Data Sets, Studies Reviewed Gap Analysis Themes: Mitigation, Resilience, Adaptation Regional Planning: Local Typologies of Vulnerability Water Bodies Resilient Downtowns Rural Uplands Critical Infrastructures Proposed Studies Introduction Scenarios [0-3] Case Studies Carbon Mitigation [1.1–1.4] Resilience Planning [2.1–2.4] Climate Adaptation [3.1–3.4] ~ APPENDIX References General Relevant Research and Coursework Fitz Henry Lane. Gloucester Harbor from Rocky Neck. 1844. Oil on canvas. Gloucester, Cape Ann Museum. CONFIDENTIAL NOTES_30 September 2020 Overview Abstract The future of Cape Ann will be shaped, in large part, by the effects of climate change. These effects will reach well beyond sea level rise and increased storm events. They will ultimately challenge and disrupt the housing, transportation, public services, and economic health of these communities. In light of these challenges, three local organizations—TownGreen2025, the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation, and the Cape Ann Climate Coalition—are joining with the Harvard Graduate School of Design to begin to envision a sustainable future for the region. In recognition of the reality that Cape Ann’s interwoven ecologies, geographies, and economies transcend municipal boundaries, the scope of the project will include the entire region: Essex, Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Rockport. This design research project involves three interrelated, but potentially distinct, spheres of investigation. First among these are studies of and scenario planning for the mitigation of Cape Ann’s ongoing contribution of greenhouse gases and the “de-carboning” of its energy economy. Second are studies of and scenario planning for enhancing the social, environmental, and economic resilience of Cape Ann’s communities and residents. Third are studies of and scenario planning for the adaptation of Cape Ann’s built environment, infrastructure, and natural systems to our changing climate. These three spheres of understanding and action will produce numerous areas of connectivity and mutual benefit. Foregrounding these three spheres of investigation, a storm event scenario (Scenario 0) will provide a baseline for challenging decisions regarding resources, priorities, and processes for change. Finally, throughout and across all areas of investigation, the project will propose forms of education and advocacy to communicate the values of adaptation, mitigation, and resiliency to communities on the Cape. In and through the above scenarios, the project will explore the principles that the Cape Ann Climate Coalition (CACC) has identified as central to Cape Ann’s future. These principles include aligning human and urban systems with natural systems; introducing biomimicry and emulating natural cycles and processes, realizing carbon neutrality through net zero policies; adapting the built environment to the changing climate; involving the participation of all citizens and stakeholders; treating all citizens equitably and with respect; and collaborating on the creation of rejuvenated communities. By engaging with these principles within discrete design and planning scenarios, the project suggests paths toward the aspirational future condition already articulated by the CACC: “With nature as our guide, Cape Ann communities have become models of sustainability, are fossil fuel free and are prepared for the impacts of climate change. Our communities, households and businesses are thriving as we follow ecological principles mimicking natural cycles and rhythms providing for the livelihood of all our residents in a just and equitable manner.” CONFIDENTIAL NOTES_30 September 2020 In considering Cape Ann in its entirety, rather than merely the sum of adjacent municipalities, this project responds to a critical gap in recent research on the region. While previous work has treated Cape Ann as four distinct municipalities, the global scale of climate change and the reciprocal effects of action to combat climate change strongly suggests that a regional approach is paramount. Relevant contemporary research and planning has also focused primarily on mitigation and resilience without addressing the potential of adaptive measures, including managed retreat. This study will include a range of scales of investigation: territorial, regional, municipal (public infrastructure and public realm), and individual (private ownership). The project will identify unique challenges, opportunities, resources, and recommendations relevant to the four primary towns of Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, and Manchester-by-the-Sea. The project recommendations will include reference to the relevant local, regional, state, and/or federal resources or agencies implicated in such changes over time. It will further identify recommendations and roles for private citizens, the business community, and civic organizations, among others. These recommendations will synthesize the findings of the three areas of investigation and will focus on trade-offs and priorities in relation to the larger menu of possible policy and public realm interventions going forward. Samuel de Champlain. Les chifres montrent les brasses d’eau. 1613. Pen and ink on paper. Providence, Brown University Library. CONFIDENTIAL NOTES_30 September 2020 Project Schedule Phase I: Introduction and Scenario Planning [4 weeks + 1 week review] • Review current policies and completed, existing proposals pertaining to four scenarios • Comparative study of similarly scaled precedents across Scenarios 0, 1, 2, and 3 • Identify experts and procedures for storm, ecological, and solar modeling • Design parameters and scope of storm, ecological, and solar modeling • Design template for each scenario Phase II: Scenario 0 [4 weeks + 1 week review] • Produce ‘Scenario 0’ hurricane and ecological model • Create maps, drawings, and renderings based on model results • Submit Scenario 0 Report Phase III: Conceptual Scenario Planning (3 Scenarios) [4 weeks + 1 week review] • Articulate concepts and project design themes for Scenarios 1, 2, and 3 • Define metrics for scenarios specific to Cape Ann • Articulate range of spatial and infrastructural strategies • Test initial scenarios against ecological parameters Phase IV: Detailed Scenario Planning (3 Scenarios) [12 weeks + 1 week review] • Map potential sites at the scale of the territory, each municipality, and at the scale of natural systems or infrastructure impacted • Field work and survey of potential sites • Articulate specific infrastructural arrays • Define and illustrate recommended strategies • Assess ecological impacts of scenario outcomes • Submit final scenario report comprising scenarios 0, 1, 2, and 3 Phase V: Case Study Development (12 cases) [6 weeks + 1 week review] • Design standardized template for each case study • Complete literature and international precedent review • Create diagrams of case study precedents Phase VI: Case Study Planning (12 cases) [12 weeks + 1 week review] CONFIDENTIAL NOTES_30 September 2020 • Create maps highlighting possible sites for implementation • Consult local experts to assess design strategies • Create preliminary visualizations indicating the projected size, scope and impact of proposals if sited on Cape Ann • Submit final research report draft for review Phase VI: Documentation and Dissemination [4 weeks] • Assemble archive and credits • Copyediting and proofreading • Printing and dissemination • Publish final research report and executive summary • Post-production outcomes and conclusions CONFIDENTIAL NOTES_30 September 2020 Budget PI: Charles Waldheim January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021 $250,000 Salary $138,216 PI, full time researcher, graduate students Fringe $25,424 Researcher stipends $40,000 8 expert collaborators Dissemination $5,000 Report preparation and printing Total Direct Costs $208,640 Indirect Costs (20%) $41,728 TOTAL $250,368 CONFIDENTIAL NOTES_30 September 2020 Team Local Team Damon Cummings, former MIT Ocean Engineering professor Greg Federspiel, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Town Administrator Jim Gardner, Rockport, Department of Public Works Herman Lilja, former President of Rockport Planning Board Sam Cleaves, Regional Planner, Metropolitan Area Planning Council Jayne Knott, Research Associate, UMass Boston Peter Phippen, former Essex Selectman Valerie Nelson, Cape Ann Climate Coalition / Water Alliance Dick Prouty, Cape Ann Climate Coalition Office for Urbanization Team Charles Waldheim, Principal Investigator Jeffrey S. Nesbit, Design Research Team Kira Clingen, Design Research Team Charles Gaillard, Design Research Team Jena Tegeler, Design Research Team CONFIDENTIAL NOTES_30 September 2020 Contacts Community Leaders and Local Stakeholders Consulted in 2020 State Government Rep. Ann Margaret Ferrante Senator Bruce Tarr Gloucester City Government Sefatia Romeo-Theken, Mayor Manchester-by-the-Sea Town Government Eli G. Boling, Chair of the Manchester Board of Selectmen Essex Town Government Brendhan Zubricki, Town Administrator Ruth Pereen, Chair of Essex Selectmen CONFIDENTIAL NOTES_30 September 2020 Institutional Contacts to Consult in 2021 CZM North Shore Regional Office Kathryn Glenn, North Shore Regional Coordinator Metropolitan Area Planning Council