Boston has seen an increase of new construction over the past few years, mostly concentrated along the waterfront and its "Innovation District." The Architect's Newspaper has compiled a list of the most high-profile developments in the city.
Along South Boston's waterfront, the Vertex Pharmaceuticals' headquarters at Fan Pier will be the city's largest commercial lease at $1.1 billion. It will include offices, biomedical research laboratories, retail and restaurant spaces, residential units, a hotel, a park, and a marina. Across the street, the $5.5 million Boston Innovation Center will be "part of Mayor Menino's vision to turn this part of the city into the Innovation District" by offering spaces for companies to hold meetings and host events. The less developed Pier 4 will be boosted by a mixed-use building consisting of a hotel, retail, residential units, and office spaces.
The city has also approved a $2 billion master plan to expand the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center with new hotels, retail and commercial space, and a grass-covered rooftop park. This is part of an effort to boost Boston's ranking as one of the top five cities in North American for conventions, and the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority has already purchased six acres of land next to the Center for two mid-priced hotels.
Other developments to watch out for are John Rosenthal's $450 million Fenway Center Development, which is currently fighting the state over a long-term lease, and the conversion of a former department store into the 625-foot mixed-use Millenium Tower, which will be the tallest residential building in Boston once completed.
FULL STORY: Beantown Rising: Big Development On the Horizon In Boston

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.

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

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?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie