Planning 101 Blog

MARPA Gathers for District Local Technical Assistance Day at the State House

Posted on March 10, 2026 at 1:02 pm. Written by Amanda Linehan

March 5, 2026 – Executive directors and staff representing the Commonwealth’s 13 Regional Planning Agencies gathered for a day of advocacy at the State House to brief lawmakers and staff […]

House Energy Affordability Bill Summary H.5175

Posted on March 5, 2026 at 11:23 am. Written by Amanda Linehan

House Energy Affordability Bill Summary H.5175 Questions? Contact the MAPC Government Affairs Department: Norman Abbott ([email protected]) and Georgia Barlow ([email protected]) On February 25th, the House Committee on Ways and Means […]

MMC Regional Housing Task Force – Tracking Progress to 2030 Housing Production Goal

Posted on March 3, 2026 at 1:04 pm. Written by Amanda Linehan

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) has released its annual update on permitting activity throughout the Metro Mayors Coalition (MMC), part of the effort to track progress towards the […]

Update on FY2027 Budget Summary

Posted on March 2, 2026 at 10:25 am. Written by Amanda Linehan

Update on the FY27 Budget Questions? Contact the MAPC Government Affairs Department: Norman Abbott ([email protected]) and Georgia Barlow ([email protected]) On January 28th, Governor Healey filed her FY27 budget recommendations. The […]

MAPC Seeks Industry Input on Regional Offsite Housing Manufacturing Strategy

Posted on February 19, 2026 at 12:42 pm. Written by Amanda Linehan

Photo Credit: AdobeStock_861131585 The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) as part of its Greater Boston Regional Offsite Construction Strategy, funded through the […]

The Need for Detailed Data on our Existing Affordable Housing Stock

Posted on December 16, 2025 at 11:12 am. Written by Tim Viall

The Need for Detailed Data on our Existing Affordable Housing Stock By Adam Ploetz, AICP, Manager of Housing & Neighborhood Development, and Emma Battaglia, Senior Housing and Land Use Planner […]

What is Joint Rule 10? Priority Legislation Reaches an Important Step

Posted on December 3, 2025 at 10:18 am. Written by Tim Viall

What is Joint Rule 10? Priority Legislation Reaches an Important Step By MAPC’s Government Affairs Team December 3, 2025 – Joint Rule 10 is when (almost) all Joint Committees in […]

This Playbook Helps Municipalities and Community Partners Prepare for Local Climate Impacts

Posted on December 2, 2025 at 12:19 pm. Written by Tim Viall

This Playbook Helps Municipalities and Community Partners Prepare for Local Climate Impacts By Emma Zehner, Senior Clean Energy and Climate Planner, and Van Du, Director of Environmental Planning December 2, […]

2025 Fall Council Meeting Highlights Arts & Culture, Local Leaders Awarded

Posted on November 3, 2025 at 10:46 am. Written by Tim Viall

2025 Fall Council Meeting Highlights Arts & Culture, Local Leaders Awarded Nov. 3, 2025 – Representatives from the 101 cities and towns in the MAPC region, gubernational appointees, state and […]

MAPC’s MESM Academy Kicks Off to Support Municipal Energy Managers

Posted on October 29, 2025 at 3:07 pm. Written by Tim Viall

MAPC’s MESM Academy Kicks Off to Support Municipal Energy Managers By Samikshya Dhami, Clean Energy and Climate Planner I; Julia Nassar, Senior Clean Energy & Climate Planner; and Sarita Plata, […]