Boston College Institutional Master Plan - An Opportunity for Blue Development

As a part of its "Blue Cities" Initiative, Charles River Watershed Association has focused its efforts on encouraging large institutional development projects to incorporate measures for environmental restoration and resource conservation from the start. It is clear from CRWA's work involving Harvard University's expansion plans in North Allston that there is strong support for the public realm benefits - such as neighborhood greening and open space improvements - that result from these restoration strategies. At a 2006 workshop entitled "Building a Blue Allston," CRWA demonstrated how Low Impact Development strategies can be applied to highly urbanized areas in a manner that creates short-term benefits and long-term environmental sustainability.

Given the proximity of Boston College to the Chestnut Hill Reservoir and Chandler Pond, it is BC's responsibility to not only mitigate the impact of their development on these public amenities, but to effectively contribute to their restoration efforts. Since existing policy and regulations already require redevelopment projects to reduce polluted runoff, increase groundwater recharge, and conserve water, many institutions are adopting practices such as green roofs, water reuse and incorporation of public open space because of their environmental and economic benefits. It is also now widely understood that most successful urban redevelopment incorporates environmental restoration, because of the proven economic benefits as well as the generation of widespread public support. It is thus in BC's own interest to keep environmental sustainability at the forefront while planning and designing the new campus.