Boston

American Planning Association 2015

Planning for the 2021 National Planning Conference

After last year's National Planning Conference was canceled in the early days and weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual event returns online, with tons of planning content and even several avenues for networking and socializing.

May 4, 2021 - James Brasuell

Boston Subway T

Boston to Pilot Free Transit Passes for Workers in Commercial Districts

The city of Boston will undertake an experiment about how to center public transit as an economic recovery tool.

April 1, 2021 - Smart Cities Dive

Pandemic Shutdown

Massachusetts Reopens, But Too Early?

Many coronavirus restrictions were lifted on Monday in Massachusetts by Gov. Charlie Baker due to falling COVID cases and hospitalizations, but many experts feel the move is too hasty and could lead to a resurgence in the virus.

March 3, 2021 - Associated Press

Train platform

Boston-to-New York High-Speed Rail Project Hopes for Federal Support

If completed, the North Atlantic Rail project could transform New England's transportation landscape.

February 25, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Chicago Dog Park

Boston Leaders Want A Dog Park in Every Neighborhood

City leaders want to build more off-leash dog parks, partly as a response to the trend of "pandemic puppies" that has led to a sharp spike in urban dog ownership.

February 24, 2021 - The Boston Globe

Boston

Boston to Require Fair Housing Review for New Developments

The Boston Zoning Code is one of the first in the nation to Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing.

February 23, 2021 - Shelterforce Magazine

Boston, Massachusetts

Liberated by the Commonwealth, Boston Readies Big Linkage Fee Increases

Recent state legislation removed state preemption of the fees local governments can charge developers, called linkage fees. Boston is poised to act on this new power.

February 16, 2021 - The Boston Globe

Green Line

'Bespoke' Station Design Responsible for Transit Costs Increases, Study Says

The first case study by the Transit Costs Project at New York University's Marron Institute offers a long awaited, and long necessary, glimpse into the bloated costs of construction in the United States.

January 29, 2021 - City Journal

Bunker Hill, Charlestown

$1.4 Billion Housing Redevelopment Project Moves Forward in Boston

The 80-year-old Bunker Hill public housing complex will be replace according to a plan approved recently by the Boston Planning and Development Agency.

January 19, 2021 - The Boston Globe

Hubway Bikeshare

Boston Installs New Bike Lanes as Part of GoBoston 2030 Initiative

The city wants to cut its car use in half by 2030 as part of an aggressive set of "aspirational" goals.

December 22, 2020 - Streetsblog Massachusetts

New York Subway

New York, Boston Transit Agencies Back Off Proposed Cuts

News of a potential economic stimulus package in Congress is followed by news that two of the nation's most prominent transit systems are reducing cuts proposed to address plummeting revenues.

December 17, 2020 - Spectrum News

Quincy Market

Rethinking Place Governance to Advance Equitable Development

The Boston Foundation's first Place Leadership Network process offers lessons in how to build place-based coalitions to advance the cause of equity.

December 14, 2020 - Brookings

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

COVID Illnesses Requires Reduction of MBTA Commuter Rail Service

To many employees are sick with COVID for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail to operate on its normal schedule.

December 11, 2020 - The Boston Globe

Zakim Bridge and Tobin Bridge

Legal Settlement a Major Win for High-Capacity Transportation in Massachusetts

A decision by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to rescind a carpool lane has not resulted in a significant expansion of transit and carpool capacity on Interstate 93 north of Boston.

November 22, 2020 - Streetsblog Massachusetts

MBTA Bus

Transit Plans Change as the Pandemic Lingers

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) this week proposed cuts to public transit service. In a decision that will likely repeat as more transit agencies undertake similar processes, the MBTA decided to prioritize buses over trains.

November 12, 2020 - Trains

Boston Bus

'Rapid Response Bus Lanes' Program Provides Equitable Mobility Relief During the Pandemic

A new Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority program has quickly deployed bus infrastructure around the Boston area, focusing on neighborhoods where people are relying on the bus during the pandemic.

November 6, 2020 - Next City

Boston, Massachusetts

Unlocking the Potential of Transit Adjacent Land for Housing Affordability

A case study from the Boston region shows the power of allowing moderate density on transit adjacent residential parcels currently available only to single-family detached homes.

October 26, 2020 - Brookings

Boston Skyline with Dome

Boston Launches a 20-Year Urban Forestry Plan

The forthcoming Boston Urban Forestry Plan is expected to support communities that have been disproportionately exposed to environmental stressors.

October 6, 2020 - Smart Cities Dive

Boston, Massachusetts

Ambitious New Boston Common Master Plan Revealed

The oldest city park in the United States, used as a cow pasture until the 19th century, is slated for a major upgrade.

October 2, 2020 - The Architect's Newspaper

Boston, Massachusetts

Mega-Project Aims to Transform South Boston

Developers with a ground lease for land owned by the University of Massachusetts Boston want to build a new mixed-use development to rival Kendall Square in nearby Cambridge.

September 25, 2020 - The Boston Globe

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

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Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.