The Boston Globe’s editorial board calls on the city to take on citywide zoning reform to boost housing construction and revitalize areas that have faced historical underinvestment.

The Boston Globe Editorial Board writes in favor of reforming Boston’s complex zoning code to make it easier for homeowners to convert part of their homes to rental units as one way to increase the housing supply. In 2022, the city only permitted 31 accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Boston chief of planning James Arthur Jamison says he would like to see that number grow to 200 or 300 per year.
As the editorial explains, “There are two paths to changing the city’s zoning codes — both for those accessory units and more broadly for many of the city’s “squares and corridors” — places like Glover’s Corner or Fields Corner in Dorchester or sections of East Boston — where the Wu administration wants to encourage development of housing along commercial corridors.”
Rather than amend the code neighborhood by neighborhood, one proposed approach would make citywide changes, such as permitting ADUs without a Zoning Board of Approvals review. This approach would admittedly face pushback from neighborhood groups concerned about losing control of local decisionmaking.
“There’s nothing sexy about zoning codes,” the board admits, but expresses optimism about the Wu administration’s efforts to reform it. “But it is where change and growth begin to happen — and it’s where this administration’s focus is spot-on.”
FULL STORY: An easy way for Boston to add more housing units

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

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

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

San Francisco Muni Raises Fares a Second Time
A 10–cent fare hike for adults is part of the agency’s plan to chip away at a growing budget deficit.

Electric Grid Capacity Could Hamstring EV Growth
Industry leaders say the U.S. electric grid is unprepared for the increased demand for power created by electric cars, data centers, and electric homes.

Texas Bill Supports Adaptive Reuse in Commercial Areas
Senate Bill 840, which was preliminarily approved by the state House, would allow residential construction in areas previously zoned for offices and commercial uses.
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.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions