New Citywide Mapping Tool Marks a New Era for Planning in Boston

The Boston Planning & Development Agency released a powerful new map of the entire city—complete with layers like shadows, flood plains, and zoning districts—to the public.

1 minute read

May 9, 2018, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Interactive Map of Boston

A map of Boston showing buildings developed as of February 2017 and shadows at 7:21 am in the month of May. | Boston Planning and Development Agency / bpdata

Tim Logan reports on a new digital 3D map produced by the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BDPA) that models the entire city.

The map is "the latest step in the BPDA’s push to be more transparent, and to spark conversations about planning for the city’s future," according to Logan. Previously, BDPA housed a wooden scale model on the ninth floor of City Hall. The new digital map is public, and the hope is that it will inspire the public to engage with the city's development in new ways.

The map maps 129,000 buildings from East Boston to Mottapan, explains Logan. "The map is pannable and scannable, and detailed enough to capture backyard sheds, rooftop furniture, and lots of trees. And it comes with tools that allow anyone to layer on zoning maps, schools, MBTA stops, and even flood-prone areas."

Tuesday, May 8, 2018 in The Boston Globe

portrait of professional woman

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 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 Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

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.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

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?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today