Even with the constant threat of Harvard's ongoing expansion and new attention from developers, the Riverside neighborhood of Cambridge, Massachusetts, still manages to preserve its quirky atmosphere and charm, though affordability has declined.
"Long a working-class enclave between the Charles River and Central Square, Riverside is going upscale, and the long-testy relationship between residents and neighbor Harvard University has improved dramatically.
After dropping plans to build a museum on a prominent corner because of neighborhood opposition, Harvard is on more peaceful terms with Riverside residents as it now builds new dorms for graduate students and affordable housing for some Cambridge residents. The additional housing should ease pressure on the neighborhood's rental market.
Meantime, Riverside's combination of convenient location and rich, quirky architecture are drawing affluent young professionals, who cite Riverside's offbeat funkiness as one of the chief draws."
"As Cambridge neighborhoods go, Riverside is something of a free spirit, and it shows. Less uniform in appearance, and worn down in some places, Riverside was for years a haven of cheap housing during rent control. The elimination of rent control in 1994 forced many long time residents to move out. But the neighborhood was also among the most affordable in the city, setting the stage for the changes happening today."
Read the full story: New Development Surrounds Riverside Neighborhood
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Los Angeles just elected an urban planner as its mayor
Transportation analysts are optimistic that Raman will be more aggressive in addressing transit issues than Bass.
Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax survives legal challenge
A panel of judges found that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate injury as a result of New York City's implementation of the tax.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority