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

Aerial view of homes on green hillsides in Daly City, California.

Depopulation Patterns Get Weird

A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.

April 10, 2024 - California Planning & Development Report

Aerial view of Oakland, California with bay in background

California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million

Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.

April 11, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

A view straight down LaSalle Street, lined by high-rise buildings with an El line running horizontally over the street.

Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing

Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.

April 10, 2024 - Chicago Construction News

Young woman and man seated on subway car looking at phones.

Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features

It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.

6 hours ago - BGR

Ohio state capitol dome against dramatic lightly cloudy sky.

Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production

A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.

7 hours ago - Daytona Daily News

Aerial view of Interstate 290 or Eisenhower Expressway in Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant

Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.

April 19 - Streetsblog Chicago

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.