Regional cooperation and metropolitan community are more important today than ever before. Cities and towns across the Commonwealth are facing serious strategic issues in the arenas of economic development, infrastructure, environmental protection, and social equity. Simultaneously, there is growing recognition of the need for municipal cooperation and regional governance in achieving workable solutions to these complex challenges.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is a regional planning agency representing 101 cities and towns in the metropolitan Boston area. Created by an act of the Legislature in 1963, it serves as an independent public body of the Commonwealth within which state and local officials can address issues of regional importance. As one of 14 members of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), MAPC has oversight responsibility for the region's federally funded transportation program.

The Council enhances the quality of life and competitive advantage of the Boston metropolitan region in the global economy by providing a focus for action and developing sound responses to issues of regional significance. Council membership consists of community representatives, gubernatorial appointees and city and state agencies who collaborate in the development of comprehensive plans and recommendations in areas of population and employment, transportation, economic development, regional growth and the environment. The Council also provides technical assistance and advocacy to its member communities.

MAPC works with its 101 cities and towns through eight subregional organizations. Each subregion has members appointed by chief elected officials and planning boards. The Council supports the subregions by providing planning information, organizational experience and technical expertise to foster project development. The subregions develop an annual work plan with the assistance of an MAPC staff person who serves as subregional coordinator.

Funding for Council activities is derived from municipal, state, federal and private grants and contracts and a per-capita assessment on member communities approved annually by municipal representatives.

The MAPC region consists of 22 cities and 79 towns in the greater Boston area. The population of the region is 3,066,394 (based on the 2000 census). The total land area of the region
is 1,422 square miles stretching west from Boston to include most of the towns inside the I-495 boundary. The MAPC district is divided into eight subregions and encompasses
coastal communities, older industrial centers, rural towns,
and modern cities.