Environmental Flood Resilience on Cape Cod Roads: Old King’s Highway

Abstract

This project addresses the need for climate-resilient adaptations along Old King’s Highway (Route 6A) within Sandwich, in the Cape Cod region of Massachusetts. As a historical and cultural commercial corridor that is threatened by climate change in the form of sea level rise, storm surge, and frequent flooding, vulnerable low-lying infrastructure requires sustainable solutions that consider environmental and community resilience. Through looking at recent precedents and research, with context-specific site analysis, visualizing regional strategies for coastal downtown Sandwich, MA, and proposing design interventions for the most flood-prone area of a high-flood-risk road segment. Integrating nature-based solutions that complement the town’s pedestrian-bike initiative, “the Shared Path Project”, exploring ways to restore the floodplain’s connectivity, expand and fortify wetlands, and provide a climate-resilient approach to vital coastal New England infrastructure