Massive projects stayed a dream in 20th century Boston. Lessons from the failed ideas of the past inform a more complete understanding of the city in the 21st century.

Anthony Flint takes a tour of what might have been in Boston, where there's a uniquely long history of massive projects that never got built. Flint it mining history for lessons about what separates the never built from the transformative.
Lessons considered by Flint and sources: that Bostonians are easily spooked, or that Boston has constantly sought to expand outward (by making more land, literally) or upward (history is full of failed skyscraper ideas).
Five projects are particularly informative, according to Flint:
- Inner Belt, Southwest Expressway, and Northwest Expressway (1907-1971)
- Mission Control at Kendall Square (1961-1968)
- Completion of the Emerald Necklace (1897-present)
- City Hall Plaza improvements, restoration of Hanover Street, Congress Street pedestrian bridge (circa 1965-present)
- South Boston Megaplex; football and baseball stadiums (1990-2000)
Implied in some of the discussion with reference to specific projects is that some of these projects could still be built.
For more on the "never built" or "unbuilt" trope, see previous explorations from Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Seattle.
FULL STORY: Five plans that would’ve changed the face of Boston

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Research Shows More Roads = More Driving
A national study shows, once again, that increasing road supply induces additional vehicle travel, particularly over the long run.

Judge Halts Enforcement of Anti-Homeless Laws in Grants Pass
The Oregon city will be barred from enforcing two ordinances that prosecute unhoused residents until it increases capacity and accessibility at designated camping sites.

Advancing Sustainability in Los Angeles County Schools
The Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Green Schools Symposium brings together educators, students, and experts to advance sustainability in schools through innovative design, climate resilience strategies, and collaborative learning.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
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.
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport