Massachusetts

BLue and red triple-story homes in Boston, Massachusetts.

Boston's 'sliver lots' could yield over 1,500 affordable homes

The city has identified over 500 vacant parcels suitable for infill housing.

April 27, 2026 - CommonWealth Beacon

Man riding bicycle in protected green painted bike lane next to black SUV in Boston, Massachusetts.

Boston budget proposal kills funding for dozens of road safety projects

Mayor Wu's FY2027 budget eliminates or reduces funding for multiple unbuilt street safety projects.

April 23, 2026 - Streetsblog Massachusetts

Google Street View of large intersection in Boston, Massachusetts.

Boston loses $8.15M in federal road safety funds after failing to meet deadline

Delays in finalizing plans for several road projects have forced the city to forfeit multiple federal grants.

April 6, 2026 - Streetsblog Massachusetts

Line of cars parked curbside next to three-story brick homes with bay windows in Boston, Massachusetts.

Boston Launches AI-assisted ‘Curb Lab’

A new digital project will help the city manage curb space and offer parking information to the public.

February 23, 2026 - Hoodline

Google street view of former bank building in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Historic Bank in Pittsfield, Massachusetts to Become Mixed-income Housing

The bank redevelopment project is part of a $140 million state affordable housing initiative.

February 19, 2026 - News 10

Boston FD fire station with red fire truck halfway out of the door.

Massachusetts Governor Says Safety Funds Won’t be Tied to MBTA Communities Compliance

Gov. Healey faced backlash for requiring local fire departments to confirm compliance with the zoning law to receive state funds.

February 17, 2026 - Boston Herald

Close-up on gabled roof with window over garage.

Massachusetts Zoning Reform Sparks ADU Surge

A 2024 law and a 2025 assistance program have spurred a flurry of ADU projects across the state.

February 11, 2026 - The Eagle-Tribune

Aerial of purple train in station in small town Concord, Massachusetts.

Report: MBTA Communities Act has Created Just 7,000 New Housing Units

The Massachusetts law requires cities to rezone appropriate neighborhoods for denser housing.

January 29, 2026 - CommonWealth Beacon

Boton Red Line subway train with Braintree on front marquee in station.

MBTA Rail Car Builder to Furlough 161 Workers, Delay Fleet Upgrade

Key components are stuck in customs as the Chinese-based producer works to certify that the parts were not produced with forced labor.

January 26, 2026 - Boston.com

Two-story public housing building with dark red wood cladding on leafy street in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

How Cambridge Restored its Public Housing

In Cambridge, Massachusetts, residents speak positively of the renovations to their public housing stock. The housing authority attributes its success to an innovative mix of RAD with other funding sources.

December 31, 2025 - Shelterforce Magazine

Outdoor train platform in Middleboro MA with MBTA train pulling in.

Over 90% of Massachusetts Towns Have Changed Zoning to Comply With MBTA Communities Law

Massachusetts municipalities have until December 31 to adjust their zoning codes or face the potential loss of state funding.

December 26, 2025 - Mass Live

Brutalist Boston City Hall building with parking and people walking in front.

Boston Considers Eliminating Parking Requirements

Boston could join other major cities in eliminating outdated parking regulations that drive up the cost of housing.

December 15, 2025 - Streetsblog Mass

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu stands at lectern during speech.

HUD Investigating Boston for “Redlining Against White People”

The agency says the city is breaking the law by prioritizing people of color in its affordable housing strategy.

December 14, 2025 - Mother Jones

Facade of Boston Public Library branch with title etched in stone above doorway.

Boston to Top City Libraries With Affordable Housing

Three public libraries will be rebuilt or renovated to include hundreds of affordable housing units.

December 7, 2025 - Christian Science Monitor

White and yellow MBTA bus with "28 Ride for free" on the marquee stopped at Nubian Station under ornate high roof.

Boston’s Free Buses are Also its Slowest

Two fare-free bus lines have seen a sharp increase in travel times.

November 24, 2025 - Streetsblog Mass

Damaged white trailer from tornado.

Consumer Protection Advocates Raise Alarms About Climate Insurance Discrimination That “Mimics Redlining”

As homeowners’ insurance companies and lenders increasingly factor climate risk into their business strategies, communities may see a resurgence of racial and economic exclusion that mimics redlining. But our hands aren’t tied.

October 30, 2025 - Shelterforce Magazine

Buildings in downtown Boston with large red construction crane.

Boston Approves 700 ft Tall Buildings Downtown

A new rezoning plan raises height limits in some areas for buildings that are mostly residential.

October 26, 2025 - WBUR

A row of houses

In Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado and Beyond, a Surprising new Housing Model is Making Gentrification Pay Back

Each Mixed-Income Neighborhood Trust focuses on preventing displacement and capturing the benefits of rising property values for neighborhood residents.

October 20, 2025 - Shelterforce Magazine

Red brick three-story garden apartment building in Newton, Massachusetts.

Newton, Massachusetts Buys an Apartment Building to Keep it Affordable

The city chose to buy an existing building, slashing the cost of bringing new affordable housing units onto the market.

October 16, 2025 - Boston Globe

Aerial view of townhomes in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Rise of Crowdfunded Real Estate

Enabled by provisions in the JOBS Act of 2012 that allow smaller scale investing, community members are becoming co-owners of local real estate projects.

October 2, 2025 - Shelterforce Magazine

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

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.