Boston has been selected by the Environmental Protection Agency as one of the state capitals, in a group of only five nationwide, to demonstrate high quality green community development practices and receive special technical assistance.
The EPA, through its new Greening America’s Capitals program, will provide design assistance from private-sector experts to help Boston use sustainable designs to create interesting, unique neighborhoods with multiple social, economic, and environmental and public health benefits, according to a statement. This program is a new project of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities between the EPA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
"New England is often at the vanguard of applying environmental principles to our lives, and striking a balance to promote healthier communities and a sustainable lifestyle," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of the EPA’s New England office.
Boston was selected from a total of 38 letters of interest received following a solicitation of interest by the EPA, according to statement. The other state capitals selected for this effort include Hartford, Conn., Charleston, W.Va., Little Rock, Ark. and Jefferson City, Mo.
The design assistance will help Boston envision ways to clean-up and recycle vacant lands, provide greater housing and transportation choices, reduce infrastructure and energy costs, and build civic pride in neighborhoods and the city as a whole, according to a statement. A long-term outlook includes helping create models that many other cities can look to in creating their own sustainable designs.
"Our cutting edge green building, clean energy, and sustainable transportation programs have put Boston on track to become one of the greenest cities in the world," said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. "Through the Greening America’s Capitals program we will develop a vision to transform government center into a showcase of efficiency that embodies Boston’s strong commitment to environmental sustainability."
Through the program, Boston will work to create realistic greening options for City Hall Plaza that can be seen in the near future, according to a statement. Goals of the redesign will be to create well-defined edges and entrances, provide more bike access and parking, connect the plaza to existing streets, increase green elements such as trees and vegetation for better stormwater management, and support energy efficiency and green building improvements in City Hall and nearby buildings.
