Massachusetts

United States map

Study: Older States Tend to Have Worse Finances

A report suggests that the older a state is, the more likely it is that special interests have entrenched themselves, negatively impacting the public purse.

October 13, 2018 - Governing

Boston

Foreign Firm Wants to Bring Privately Run Student Housing to Boston

The British firm Scape says it wants to spend $1 billion to build privately operated student housing in Boston. Unaffiliated with any one school, the concept is already popular in London.

October 12, 2018 - The Boston Globe

Boston Aerial

Boston to Consider Workforce and Investor Diversity in Real Estate Decisions

Beginning this week, the city of Boston will ask developers how they plan to include women and minorities as workers and investors when putting city-owned real estate out for bid.

October 8, 2018 - The Boston Globe

Allston Interchange

Should This Mass Pike Viaduct Come Down?

Public opinion favors an at-grade highway, but the state is still considering retaining the elevated section in Allston.

October 5, 2018 - The Boston Globe

Pedestrian Bridge

15 Cities, 1 Mission: Build More Housing

A coalition of 15 cities in the Boston area agreed to rapidly build new housing to relieve pressure on the regional housing market.

October 4, 2018 - The Boston Globe

Abandoned Bike Share

Smaller Cities Rejecting Dockless Bike Share

Two cities, of similar size (about 90,000 residents), and located in different corners of the country, unceremoniously dispatched dockless bikeshare pilots in recent weeks.

September 29, 2018 - WCVB

Hubway Bikeshare

More Affordable Housing Needed to Keep Pace with Boston's Growth

Boston's housing goals were set in 2014, but had to be revised as the city's population growth exceeds previous estimates.

September 28, 2018 - WBUR

Boston houses

In Boston, Protecting Communities from the Consequences of Foreclosure

A diverse Boston community alliance initially came together to maintain stability in neighborhoods affected by foreclosures. It has changed focus as its work has continued.

September 17, 2018 - Next City

Boston Waterfront Development

Study: Boston Luxury Housing Supply Doesn't Satisfy Local Demand

Most people living in Boston's most expensive condominiums aren't from Boston, according to new research.

September 13, 2018 - The Boston Globe

Massachusetts

The History of the Failed 'Housing Choice' Bill in Massachusetts

The House Choice bill, supported by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, failed to earn approval from the State Legislature this year.

September 11, 2018 - WBUR

Community Meeting

Study: The Demographics of the Public Comment NIMBY

A new study reveals the biases of the public planning process.

August 31, 2018 - The Boston Globe

facebook

Facebook Among Targets of HUD's Latest Round of Fair Housing Enforcement

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is taking on one big fish and a few little fish in the battle against housing discrimination.

August 22, 2018 - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Arlington, Massachusetts

Arlington, Massachusetts Reveals Possible Designs for BRT Pilot

The Boston suburb will choose between five different bus routes, all of which will run in bus-only lanes.

August 20, 2018 - Wicked Local

Bus Stop

Can a Bus Stop Be Pretty?

A local bus stop offers the setting for an experiment in beautification.

August 18, 2018 - The Boston Globe

Boston Subway T

Lessons in Subway Etiquette

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is undertaking a series of videos asking for polite and courteous behavior from riders.

August 10, 2018 - The Boston Globe

MBTA Green Line

Massachusetts Could Be Next to Tax Short-Term Rentals

Legislation on the verge of approval in Massachusetts would enact a linkage fee, in effect, that would generate revenue for funding affordable housing.

August 8, 2018 - Governing

Apartment Construction

Cheap Rent Could be Another Casualty of the Trade War

Trump’s tariffs on steel and other building materials are driving up building costs slowing development and pushing up rents.

July 28, 2018 - The Boston Globe

Prospect Hill Park, Waltham, MA

Housing Crunch Provokes Debate in Boston Suburb

The city of Waltham, Massachusetts has added over 11,000 jobs since 2010, but only a few hundred homes. Developers see a prime opportunity, but city officials are reticent.

July 26, 2018 - The Boston Globe

Boston SUburbs

Suburban Bike Share Reaches Across Town Borders

In smaller towns in the greater Boston area, communities are offering bike share that crosses town borders.

July 24, 2018 - The Boston Globe

Boston, Massachusetts

East Boston Kicks Off Series of New Neighborhood Plans

Planners and officials in Boston are gathering feedback from the community as an initial step in the recently announced planning and zoning process for East Boston.

July 20, 2018 - The Bay State Banner

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.

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.