Something's Missing in Boston's Reinvented Seaport

Boston would hardly seem capable of resembling "Anytown, USA" but that might be precisely what's happening in the Seaport neighborhood of the city's waterfront.

1 minute read

November 11, 2015, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Boston Seaport

holbox / Shutterstock

The list of large investments in the South Boston Waterfront over the past three decades is impressive. An article by Jon Chesto begins by noting all the changes "The cleanup of the harbor. The vast convention center. The Big Dig. And then, after the Great Recession, all the construction, and the new offices it brought."

Yet Chesto also notes that some, like local resident Valerie Burns, have noticed something is still missing: "There are no schools, no library. It’s hard to find a place to play soccer or baseball. And the biggest problem Burns sees? There simply aren’t enough neighbors."

It's true that the area currently has 2,000 housing units—"nearly double the amount that existed five years ago"—with more on the way. Yet "longstanding questions remain about the role housing plays in the city’s waterfront evolution," writes Chesto.

The article provides a lot more detail about the legacy of planning efforts for the area, and how development so far has succeeded, or failed, its expectations for the area.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015 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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Yellow electric school bus with preteen students exiting.

California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses

The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

April 25 - Associated Press

City Hall building in Austin, Texas.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund

A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

April 25 - Spectrum Local News

Brick school building with mid-sized tree on front lawn.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards

Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.

April 25 - Governing