Study will offer recommendations for over 100 upcoming resilience projects in the city of Boston
BOSTON – May 28, 2026 – Arcadis, a global leader in sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets, has been selected to lead a study to develop a comprehensive funding and financing implementation blueprint for flood protection projects across Boston’s waterfront. This initiative, commissioned by the Boston Green Ribbon Commission (GRC), marks a critical step in advancing climate resilience for the city and safeguarding its communities, businesses, and infrastructure.
Boston faces increasingly severe flooding threats in the coming decades, with high-tide flooding expected to become dramatically more frequent by mid-century. Rising sea levels mean even moderate storms could cause widespread damage to neighborhoods, transportation systems, and critical infrastructure.
Arcadis will lead a team of consultants with global expertise in economic analyses, urban and coastal design, community engagement, funding, and financial modeling. In addition to Arcadis, the partnership includes Throwe Environmental and the Consensus Building Institute (CBI). The project’s focus extends beyond technical solutions to include funding strategies, governance models, and implementation pathways, a holistic approach that also acknowledges the crucial role the private sector plays in advancing climate resilience and unlocking capital.
Arcadis will also employ an innovative approach, analyzing various project scenarios against multiple implementation schedules and future risks. The resulting blueprint will offer stakeholders clear, actionable steps and the expected outcomes. Unlike traditional reports, this blueprint will serve as a practical, prioritized roadmap for project delivery and effective risk management
Over the duration of the study, Arcadis and the GRC team will:
- Quantify the cost of inaction: Assess risks and potential losses from major flood events if resilience measures are not implemented.
- Evaluate investment benefits: Identify return on investment (ROI) and broader social, economic, and environmental benefits.
- Define the funding gap: Calculate what is needed to bridge public and private capital shortfalls.
- Explore funding and financing options: Analyze innovative funding and financing mechanisms from the public and private sectors, as well as governance structures for long-term management.
- Recommend funding, financial, and governance near- and long-term strategy: Deliver a blueprint for sustainable, long-term investment in Boston’s waterfront resilience.
Rebecca Herst, Director of Climate Resilience at Green Ribbon Commission, said: “Our members represent some of the largest institutions and employers in Boston, and they are telling us clearly that reducing risk from flooding is an urgent priority to be solved before it’s too late. Implementing these projects not only contributes to a safer Boston, but a more vibrant and beautiful waterfront that will benefit residents and businesses.”
Carly Foster, Water Management Practice Director for Arcadis, said: “This study provides the Green Ribbon Commission and the City of Boston with an actionable roadmap for advancing climate resilience through practical, forward-looking financial strategies. By identifying implementable solutions, the work supports efforts to protect communities, strengthen economic stability, and improve quality of life for Boston residents while also offering insights that may benefit other cities facing similar climate challenges.”
