Citywide Master Planning Process Launched in Worcester

The Massachusetts college town, with 200,000 residents, is kicking off the Worcester Now / Next long-range plan with a series of public engagement activities.

1 minute read

March 16, 2022, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The skyline of downtown Worcester, Massachusetts reveals urban densities and variety of building types.

Downtown Worcester at sunset. | Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

Worcester, Massachusetts is launching an 18-month process to create a new long-range plan. The Worcester Now / Next plan will create a new master plan for a wide range of issues, including transportation and mobility, housing, economic development, climate, urban form, and land use, according to the city's website for the plan.

As reported by Michael Bonner for Mass Live, the city is kicking off the planning process with a series of public engagement opportunities. The article includes a calendar of upcoming public engagement activities.

Katherine Hamilton also reports on Worcester Now / Next for the Worcester Business Journal, providing a little more detail about consultants hired to lead the process. Boston-based Utile is leading the process, with a team that includes the "real estate and economic development firm HR&A Advisors, transportation planning firm Nelson Nygaard, landscape architect Brown, Richardson & Rowe, and equity and engagement partner Rivera Consulting Inc."

Monday, February 28, 2022 in Mass Live

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today