Don't Draw A Line If You Don't Have To

Most Bostonians have no idea where neighborhood boundaries start or end, thanks to a multitude of neighborhood maps.

1 minute read

July 26, 2004, 9:00 AM PDT

"In Boston, neighborhood boundaries are especially fluid because no one wants to risk offending anyone by nailing them down.

Different agencies map Boston differently. There are maps for urban planning and maps for counting population. Boston also has neighborhood guidelines for distributing residential parking stickers, but a sticker alone won't determine whether you live in Allston or Brighton, the South End, or the Back Bay."

"Neighborhood map makers have a similar creed: 'Don't draw a line if you don't have to.' "

Thanks to Tom Smith

FULL STORY: Unbound, by tradition

Sunday, July 25, 2004 in The Boston Globe

Community / Economic Development Massachusetts

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

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.