How a New Housing Development in East Boston Is Preparing For Climate Change

In this interview with WBUR, Nick Iselin, director of development for Lendlease Boston, discusses the most unique aspect of Clippership Wharf, its living shoreline. "We didn't want our site to be precious," he said. "We wanted to take native plant species [and] saltwater-resistant species, and make this a fairly rugged line of defense from the ocean."

The site features a series of terraces planted with native plant species and granite blocks designed to catch and dissipate the waves before they reach the buildings. The development was praised by climate adaption expert Rebecca Herst, director of the UMass Boston's Sustainable Solutions Lab, who said "[Clippership] showed what's possible under our current regulatory framework. It's important to understand, if someone is really committed and thinking of ways to be creative about climate resilience, what can be done right now."