LONGWOOD COLLECTIVE UNVEILS COMPREHENSIVE NEW OPEN SPACE FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE PLANNING IN THE LMA

213-acre Longwood Medical and Academic Area (LMA) roadmap advances shared goals for resilience and sustainability

Thursday, October 9, 2025 – The Longwood Collective, the chief planner and principal steward of the Longwood Medical and Academic Area (LMA), today released its Open Space and Resilience Framework — a first-of-its-kind plan to guide climate resiliency and protect and enhance open space in one of Boston’s most vital and densely developed districts.

Home to 73,000 workers and generating $30 billion annually for Massachusetts, the LMA is a global hub of healthcare, research, and education. With more than 20 million square feet concentrated into just 213 acres, the district also faces some of the city’s most acute climate risks — from rising heat to more frequent flooding.

“The Open Space and Resilience Framework lays out a bold vision for the future of Longwood: rain gardens and green roofs that absorb storms, a healthier urban forest to cool our streets, and a better-connected open space network that benefits the entire district,” said David Sweeney, CEO of the Longwood Collective. “These strategies not only protect our infrastructure and open spaces, but they also ensure Longwood remains a thriving, world-class hub for care, research, and innovation.”

The Framework translates climate data, modeling, and spatial analysis into six actionable strategies to manage these risks while strengthening the district’s livability, connectivity, and open spaces. It builds on existing Longwood Collective programs such as tree planting and beautification, while aligning with Boston’s Climate Action Plan and Urban Forest Plan. Developed with input from Longwood’s world-class institutions, the Framework serves as a practical toolkit for coordinated, districtwide resilience projects in the years ahead.

The Framework identifies six priority strategies for advancing resilience and open space:

• Construct Green Infrastructure: Use rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable pavers to manage flooding, reduce heat, and support ecosystems.
• Build & Maintain Tree Canopy: Expand and care for the urban forest in coordination with Boston’s Urban Forest Plan.
• Connect Open Space Network: Link plazas, parks, and greenways to improve access, health, and community connection.
• Advance Sustainable Development: Ensure new projects add green space, fund environmental mitigation, and support transit infrastructure.
• Expand Beautification Program: Grow landscaping efforts — planters, hanging baskets, and raised beds — to create inviting outdoor spaces.
• Reduce Fossil Fuel Dependence: Promote microgrids, renewable energy, and electrification to cut greenhouse gas emission

The district is already putting these strategies into action. The Longwood Collective recently joined stakeholders and community partners to break ground on a bioswale pilot project on Avenue Louis Pasteur, adjacent to the Muddy River. The three-year project will replace aging trees with a surface-level rain garden and a below-grade filtration system, capturing and filtering stormwater to restore watershed health. The initiative demonstrates how thoughtfully designed green infrastructure can both protect against climate impacts and enhance community spaces, while supporting Longwood’s ongoing sustainability efforts on behalf of its member institutions.

The Framework also strengthens emergency preparedness, equipping institutions with the information and tools needed to respond to climate hazards.

“Flooding and extreme heat are realities we are adapting to in real time in the LMA,” said Sage Weikel, Director of Emergency Management at Beth Israel Lahey Health. “This framework provides invaluable tools for anticipating and preparing for climate-related safety concerns.”

“The Framework demonstrates what is possible when institutions and partners come together,” added Abby Oliveira, Senior Land Use and Sustainability Planner at the Longwood Collective and principal author of the Framework. “We are committed to leading and convening efforts that will make the LMA more resilient, sustainable, and welcoming for all.”