Expertise & Projects
The Urban Harbors Institute's mission is carried out through research, seminars, workshops, conferences and courses. Its findings are disseminated through reports and publications. The staff and associates have expertise in a wide range of fields. Additionally, the institute works closely with University of Massachusetts Boston faculty and students from departments such as management and economics, and from the graduate programs, including the Public Policy and Public Affairs Program.
The Urban Harbors Institute assists non-profit organizations, local community groups, and municipal and state governments in researching and analyzing coastal issues related to water quality, harbor management, waterfront land use, coastal management, coastal development and regulations. Nationally, the institute has analyzed federal legislation related to water transportation, and has advised federal officials on coastal issues. Internationally, the Institute has provided expertise to a number of counties developing integrated coastal management programs or addressing specific coastal issues.
Our expertise can best be illustrated through our current/recent projects and through UHI's project history.
Expertise
Harbor and Port Planning and Management
The Institute works with government agencies and numerous harbor constituencies to analyze port and harbor issues and to develop management plans which balance the needs of commerce, tourism, and the environment. Locally, the Institute has assisted the communities of Rockport, Salem, Fall River, Provincetown, Hull, Scituate and Gloucester with harbor studies and management plans. The Institute has also been working closely with the City of Boston in an effort to reduce boat sewage pollution in the Boston Harbor.
Integrated Coastal Management
The Institute applies its considerable experience in coastal management programs to assist governments in the US and abroad to improve their capacities for environmental decision-making that integrate economic, environmental, and regulatory frameworks. For example, the institute assisted the government of Bulgaria in developing an integrated coastal management program for its Black Sea coast.
Natural Resource Protection
To protect valuable natural resources and coastal areas that are at risk of degradation from pollution, the Institute assists in environmental assessments and the development of sustainable resource management plans. Locally, the institute has worked to develop the Neponset River Estuary Resource Management Plan and undertaken Natural Resource Inventories for the Weir and Gulf Rivers.
Public Education and Participation
The Institute provides a forum for public debates and activities related to current environmental issues. It provides opportunities for the public to access university expertise in marine-related topics and issues. Some of the Institute's annual initiatives include Coastweeks, and organizing COASTSWEEP. This is the annual Massachusetts coastal cleanup that is part of an international effort coordinated by the Nature Conservancy..
Water Transportation
The institute has been a center for marine transportation, maintained a national ferry database and produced numerous reports on issues such as intermodalism, alternative fuels, port access, and community impacts of ferry systems.
Publications: Urban Harbors Institute
Publications produced by the Urban Harbors Institute are available on ScholarWorks. Publications date back to 1995. Read More
