The Mayor of Boston Suggests a List of Planning Books to Prepare for 'Boston 2030'

What better way to prepare for the city of Boston's first comprehensive planning process in over 50 years that a list of some of the best books on the subject of planning?

1 minute read

August 29, 2016, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Boston Public Library

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

"Mayor Marty Walsh has released a suggested reading list to help residents engage in the rest of citywide planning process Imagine Boston 2030," according to an article by Jen Kinney.

The Boston 2030 plan is the city's first comprehensive planning effort since 1965, so it's a big deal—making the mayor's recommended reading list also a big deal. The list includes "titles for both adults and children, titles that will be familiar to urbanists as well as Boston-specific histories and memoirs," writes Kinney.

In a separate article, Dialynn Dwyer also shares news of the mayoral reading list, explaining that mayoral staff made the suggestions, "based on how the content related to the work of the city’s master planning process." The Mayor's Office is also calling on Bostonians to vote for three additional titles to be added to the list.

Thursday, August 25, 2016 in Boston.com

Young Professional

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 and Environmental 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 and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

September 30, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

An Airo train driving towards the camera on a track. There is a forest behind it.

Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet

Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.

September 22, 2026 - Washington State Standard

Public land in Idaho. Most of the photo is a green field, with mountains and a forest in the distance.

Trump is considering data centers on 6 states' public land — some state officials say they had no idea

If the administration approves the proposed projects, data center and data center-related developments will cover 17,600 acres of public land.

September 20, 2026 - The Washington Sun

A group of smiling people cut a blue ribbon in front of Sacramento's new light rail station.

After decades of planning, Sacramento gains new light rail station

Trains will arrive every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during non-peak hours.

September 30 - KCRA

The tunnel-boring machine, a circular drill manned by people in high-vis yellow jackets.

Massive tunnel-boring machine breaks ground on Gateway Project

The Trump administration revoked funding for the project in October 2025, and then restored it earlier this year.

September 30 - The City Reporter

An Airo train passes over a mostly-dried river in between two large forests.

Airo trainsets begin service on Amtrak Cascades route

The trains feature panoramic windows, complementary wifi and over 300 seats per train set.

September 30 - Mass Transit

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.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design