Planning Department - City of Boston

05/21/2026

Congratulations to Luis, the Planning Department’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on his recent Mark P. Harty Corporate Work Study Partner of the Year Award from the Cristo Rey Boston High School!

The Planning Department’s internship program is an opportunity for teens to get involved in their neighborhood and their City, and understand the value of civic engagement.

05/15/2026

The Planning Department this month recommended approval of a new sign code, updated Chinatown zoning, and the tentative designation of development teams to redevelop public sites for middle-income housing. In addition, staff recommended approval of six new development projects representing approximately 742,090 square feet. Four of those projects are office-to-residential conversions. All were approved. The newly approved development proposals will create 611 new homes, including 214 units that are designated income-restricted, and will support approximately 689 construction jobs and 68 permanent jobs. Learn more: https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/news-updates/2026/05/14/planning-advances-sign-code-updates,-new-chinatown

05/07/2026

Thank you to the City of Boston Innovation and Technology Cabinet and Office of New Urban Mechanics for hosting the first Innovation Expo! Creative problem-solving and bold thinking were on full display. Planning Department staff were there to share two ongoing initiatives. Congrats to our ‘Beacon in a Box’ team who placed 3rd in the People’s Choice Award!

Watch the video to learn more!

04/17/2026

The Planning Department recommended to the BPDA Board approval of four new development projects representing approximately 1,738,114 square feet. All were approved. The newly approved development proposals will create 495 new homes, including 98 units that are designated income-restricted, and will support approximately 1,462 construction jobs and 2,751 permanent jobs. Learn more: https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/news-updates/2026/04/16/planning-advances-affordable-housing-in-charlestow

04/15/2026

We want to hear your thoughts on the Cleary Square: Squares + Streets plan and zoning map drafts!

Squares + Streets zoning is meant to help business owners like Maria Maria at Los Magicos Barber Shop & Beauty Supply. The zoning allows for more commercial spaces to be created along main streets, and would make it easier to expand and improve business spaces. Additionally, allowing more housing nearby would mean more foot traffic and customers.

The Plan has recommendations specific to the needs of Cleary Square, which staff developed in collaboration with the Hyde Park community. Recommendations include: the expansion of publicly accessible open space, like the pocket park on River Street; new access to the river; cultivation of the existing arts community; and safer pedestrian crossings by redesigning intersections on Gordon Avenue and Hyde Park Avenue.

We want to know what you think – please submit your comments online by May 1.
https://www.bostonplans.org/planning-zoning/planning-initiatives/cleary-square

03/24/2026

03/23/2026

The next meeting for the Rutherford Ave / Sullivan Square Design Project is coming up on March 31 from 6-8 p.m. Learn more about the project and sign up for the email newsletter at boston.gov/rutherford.

03/19/2026

Today will be Ted Landsmark’s last BPDA Board meeting, after 12 years as a member. Thank you, Ted Landsmark, for your immeasurable impact on the City of Boston and an entire generation of planners and architects.

02/13/2026

Planning Department staff this month announced the launch of the Planning Academy to the BPDA Board and recommended to the BPDA Board approval of the tentative designation of the Boston Food Forest Coalition to redevelop a public parcel in Dorchester. Staff also recommended approval of two new development projects representing approximately 271,832 square feet. All were approved. The newly approved development proposals will create 33 new income-restricted homes and 972 new dorm beds, and will support approximately 246 construction jobs.
https://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/news-updates/2026/02/12/planning-department-launches-first-boston-planning

02/13/2026

It’s us, we are the gf 😉
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