Downtown Initiatives: Introduction
"The Boulevard along Gloucester Harbor is one of the most iconic places on Cape Ann. Many thousands of people visit each year to see the Fisherman's Memorial, "They That go Down to the Sea in Shimps," and other sights along the Esplanade... It was here the place we call Gloucester began."
— Mark Carlotto, 2023, Local Author and Co-founder of the Friends of Dogtown1
Each of the potential initiatives proposed in relation to Downtown Gloucester's Habitats has been organized into four scenarios:
Downtown Case Studies: Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea
SCENARIO 0: Imagines a future scenario in which Cape Ann's stakeholders continue acting as they currently do, and no specific interventions are pursued to support ecological health.
SCENARIO 1: Imagines a future scenario in which Cape Ann's stakeholders continue acting as they currently do, but several conventional interventions are utilized to support ecological health.
SCENARIO 2: Imagines a future scenario in which Cape Ann's stakeholders collaborate to pursue progressive interventions to support ecological restoration.
Restoration: Guide Change
Intervening in landscapes to repair human-caused damage while respecting other species' autonomy
SCENARIO 3: Imagines a future scenario in which Cape Ann's stakeholders undertake systemic chance to pursue innovative interventions towards ecological adaptation.
Adaptation: Meet Change
Landscapes are on a trajectory to meet changes in conditions with human management and monitoring.
Scenarios
“All of our low-lying roads are vulnerable… there’s a lot for us to worry about with regards to sea level rise in Rockport. Frankly, we are struggling to keep what infrastructure we have going as is"
— Jim Gardiner, 2023, Rockport Director of Public Works2
The landscape initiatives proposed require the support and collaboration of various stakeholder groups. Decisions toward collective and individual action are nuanced. As a result, the collection of landscape initiatives is not prescriptive, but rather, provides a menu of potential actions. The research serves as a catalyst for continued discussion and debate.
Each Infrastructure scenario is explored through case studies, technical details, and additional resources.
Click the links below to access the research documents.
Buildings along the harbor in downtown Gloucester are in the FEMA floodplain. Photo: Carlos Cazusa, 2021.
Ecological Infrastructure: Floodplain Managment
SCENARIO 0
business as usual
no interventions
Homes, businesses,
and infrastructure face increasing pressure from rising Mean High Tide
and Storm Surge resulting in financial burden and cultural loss.
SCENARIO 1
business as usual
conventional interventions
MITIGATE: Damages
are repaired as they occur. Development is regulated in the floodplain. Buildings and infrastructure are elevated.
SCENARIO 2
stakeholder collaboration
progressive collaboration
REDESIGN: The 2070 Design Flood Elevation
is redistributed through
a series of Green and
Grey Infrastructure Initiatives. Public and Private actors collaborate to plan phasing.
SCENARIO 3
systemic change
innovative interventions
REIMAGINE: Retreat
and relocation is strategically planned returning historic fill to marsh and marine ecosystems in perpetuity. Gloucester's cultural identity is enhanced through a new
relationship to the waterfront.
Lawns along Honeysuckle Road runoff flows into Annisquam Marsh. Photo: Google Earth Street View, 2013.
Ecological Infrastructure: Private Lots
SCENARIO 0
business as usual
no interventions
Lawns continue to segment ecosystems, prevent species migration, introduce invasive species, and pollute waterways with pesticides and fertilizer.
Contributes to a loss of native species.
SCENARIO 1
business as usual
conventional interventions
REGULATE: Ban
pesticide and fertilizer use throughout Gloucester.
EDUCATE: Communities are informed about their properties potential to contribute to ecological health.
SCENARIO 2
stakeholder collaboration
progressive collaboration
INCENTIVIZE: A rebate program promotes conversion of lawns into native grasslands, education efforts inform homeowners, and a resource share program provides support.
SCENARIO 3
systemic change
innovative interventions
UTILIZE: Yards are
utilized within a new ownership model as an expansion of the public right of way contributing
to a network of
ecosystem services.
Lack of vegetation on Pleasant Street in downtown Gloucester. Photo: OFU Team, 2024.
Ecological Infrastructure: Urban Forests
SCENARIO 0
business as usual
no interventions
Heat Island Effect is increased due to the proliferation of invasive species, disease, and limited species diversity resulting in a reduction
in air quality, health risk, and loss of property value.
SCENARIO 1
business as usual
conventional interventions
MITIGATE: Volunteer groups continue to plant trees when funds and interests align. A heat emergency action plan is created and supported.
SCENARIO 2
stakeholder collaboration
progressive collaboration
DIVERSIFY: Groups collaborate to plan and distribute initiatives including land distribution, species survey, planting plan, maintenance,
disease spot treatment, and fund allocation.
SCENARIO 3
systemic change
innovative interventions
REIMAGINE:
Gloucester's urban fabric is redesigned to facilitate ecological connectivity and urban forests. The city's relationship to landscape
is re-imagined.
Runoff from Rocky Neck parking lot flows directly into the harbor. Photo: Google Street View, 2019.
Ecological Infrastructure: Runoff Mitigation
SCENARIO 0
business as usual
no interventions
Rainwater runoff stresses system causing flooding and continues to pollute ecosystems including marine habitats affecting Cape Ann's ecologically dependent industries.
SCENARIO 1
business as usual
conventional interventions
EXPLORE: Pilot
Projects explore culvert resizing, imperious surfaces, bioswales, and rainwater collection. Maintenance standards
are updated to include green infrastructure. Marine clean up efforts
are pursued.
SCENARIO 2
stakeholder collaboration
progressive collaboration
CONNECT:
Green Infrastructure interventions are
designed as systems, connecting ecological corridors and drainage networks. Green Infrastructure is incentivized.
SCENARIO 3
systemic change
innovative interventions
REIMAGINE:
Gloucester's future urban fabric is redesigned to facilitate ecological connectivity and hydrology.
Second homes and tourism infrastructure in Oaks Cove. Photo: Muxonov Karim, 2019.
Habitation Infrastructure: Housing Equity
SCENARIO 0
business as usual
no interventions
Housing increasingly supports tourism and second homes reducing local sales tax and limiting workforce housing availability. Increase commutes will increase carbon emissions.
SCENARIO 1
business as usual
conventional interventions
DEVELOP: Utilize
existing systems to
pursue Affordable
Housing Development Projects.
SCENARIO 2
stakeholder collaboration
progressive collaboration
DIVERSIFY: Multiple housing options are incentivized that encourage density. Requests for Proposals
are created that promote equitable development.
SCENARIO 3
systemic change
innovative interventions
REDESIGN: Plan and pursue housing projects that facilitate coastal retreat, access to landscapes, ecological health, and equity.
The Cut Bridge at Blynman Canal, one of two access points to the island. Photo: Carlos Cazusa, 2019.
Transportation Infrastructure: Emergency Evacuation
SCENARIO 0
business as usual
no interventions
Residents are unable to evacuate or receive emergency services during a storm event and during storm recovery due to flooded infrastructure.
SCENARIO 1
business as usual
conventional interventions
INFORM: Communities are educated on existing risk and given the opportunity to self-organize and prepare.
SCENARIO 2
stakeholder collaboration
progressive collaboration
ELEVATE:
Transportation plan identifies road segments
to elevate or barricade. Multiple groups collaborate to pursue projects that consider ecological impact and runoff pollution.
SCENARIO 3
systemic change
innovative interventions
DEVELOP: Vulnerable roads are dis-invested in and homes are relocated. New roads are developed inland and utilized to promote housing density and ecological health.
Sewage discharge warning sign in Gloucester Harbor. Photo: OFU Team, 2024.
Wastewater Infrastructure: Protection and Treatment
SCENARIO 0
business as usual
no interventions
WWTP causes continued ecological degradation harming habitats, industry, and reducing access to landscapes. The plant floods during a storm
event causing extreme ecological damage.
SCENARIO 1
business as usual
conventional interventions
DEFEND: Individual municipalities access the risk, defend existing plants, and elevate pump stations. Secondary treatment is provided in Gloucester
and release procedures
are improved.
SCENARIO 2
stakeholder collaboration
progressive collaboration
REDESIGN: Regional system is designed utilizing each municipalities caring capacity. Green infrastructure is used
to process waste and portions of the system
are decentralized.
SCENARIO 3
systemic change
innovative interventions
UTILIZE: Waste is
utilized as a recourse to produce energy, recharge groundwater, or clean polluted streams. A new regional authority is explored as an alternative management system.
Maintenance team working on electric infrastructure on Mt. Pleasant Ave. Photo: OFU Team, 2024.
Energy Infrastructure: Protection and Production
SCENARIO 0
business as usual
no interventions
Energy costs rise and dependence on fossil fuels is continued. The electric trunk line fails during a storm event, resulting in energy loss to residences and the hospital.
SCENARIO 1
business as usual
conventional interventions
INFORM: Communities are educated on existing risk and given the opportunity to self-organize and prepare. Homes are equipped with generators, solar panels, and micro wind turbines.
SCENARIO 2
stakeholder collaboration
progressive collaboration
MAINTAIN: Existing energy systems are optimized and vulnerabilities addressed. Net Zero Housing is incentivized for new
and existing structures.
SCENARIO 3
systemic change
innovative interventions
REDESIGN: Energy potential is optimized regionally utilizing
existing resources while considering ecological health including wave, wind, solar, and waste energy.
Boats in a private marina in Gloucester Harbor. Photo: OFU Team, 2024.
Cultural Infrastructure: Landscape Access
SCENARIO 0
business as usual
no interventions
Landscape access becomes increasingly inequitable, requiring private ownership and infrastructure.
SCENARIO 1
business as usual
conventional interventions
MAINTAIN: Existing
public access trails are maintained. Way-finding and signage is installed.
SCENARIO 2
stakeholder collaboration
progressive collaboration
CONNECT: Access to open space is networked as a circulation system. Grants for long-term stewardship are pursued.
SCENARIO 3
systemic change
innovative interventions
REDEFINE: Ownership models are challenged and alternative relationships to Landscape are developed.
Example
“Trees are so important, not just for the beauty of the landscape. First and foremost they add oxygen, sequester carbon, do all of that for the environment, but they also help sustain wildlife, supporting abundant bird life.”
— Reverend Nathan Ives, 2023, Minister3
Civil society will decide which initiatives are pursued across Cape Ann's Marsh Landscapes and Jones River. This research includes a spatial example based on a series of probable decisions. The following drawings are not prescriptive but rather provide a visual reference for future conversation.
Phasing
“On our own, and in conversation with one another, we celebrate the ferns growing out of the foundations of our houses as well as the asters and goldenrods in the neglected corners of our plant beds. We have learned to notice the unintentional growth in our lawns, and we now plant in our meadows the yarrow, common violets, and wild strawberry that we find in them.”
— Creating Commons Collective, 2023, Gardeners4
There are several ways that the initiatives can be prioritized and pursued. The phasing outline serves as an initial guide.
Region
“If young people and young parents cannot afford to live here, how can we expect them to serve here? Those in public office and each and every one of us should be thinking about how to retain young people in our community by addressing issues such as affordable housing, the costs of child care, and local full-time employment opportunities with meaningful benefits.”
— Alison W. DiFiore, 2023, Executive Director of Backyard Growers5
While this study focused on Downtown areas and potential projects throughout Gloucester, many initiatives proposed are applicable to developed landscapes throughout Cape Ann.
The following maps illustrate where some of the projects proposed are relevant.
Heat Island Effect
Transportation Infrastructure - Ecological Degradation
Wastewater Infrastructure - Ecological Degradation
Lawn Conversion
CONCLUSION
If Cape Ann’s ecosystems are simply preserved or left alone, the region will experience marine decline, beach erosion, marsh loss, forest degradation, destroyed infrastructure, and increasing inequity.
Conservation efforts on Cape Ann have focused on place-based species methods. Stakeholders and active management groups on Cape Ann are complex. Each has its own relationship with the landscape, with unique interests, priorities, and agency to act. As a result, ecological intervention throughout the region has been segmented.
Moving forward, efforts to support Regenerative Landscapes must move beyond conservation to adaptation. Deliberate planning, design, and management of landscapes is required to address climate change challenges and ecological degradation. While the initiatives described here imply transformations in the built environment, there are also several shifts in governance required.
Continuing to segment ecosystems by municipality and pursuing one project at a time is not feasible to keep pace with existing degradation due to a lack of resource optimization, counteracting efforts, and unforeseen effects. Yet, creating and implementing a single comprehensive ecological restoration plan for the region is also not plausible due to funding availability and time constraints.
Future actions must balance singular, actionable projects with larger studies and planning efforts to utilize disparate actors’ capacity while fostering collective action.
This research has analyzed Cape Ann's existing landscapes, the challenges they face, and a menu of solutions that aim to
preserve and enhance the region for the existing community and future generations.
Martin Ray, "Native Peoples and European Settlers," Gloucester Encounters: Essays on the Cultural History of the City 1623-2023, Gloucester Cultural Initiative 2023. ↩
TownGreen 2025, Rockport Workshop: Downtown Rockport, TownGreen 2025 Webinar, March 8, 2023. ↩
co, “Branching out: Looking to nature to create a 400+ legacy,” Gloucester Daily Times, February 13, 2023. ↩
Creating Commons Collective, Commentary: Creating Commons, Gloucester Daily Times, May 24, 2023. ↩
Alison W. DiFiore, "Letter: Where are the youth? Making a social impact," Gloucester Daily Times, February 2, 2023. ↩