2013 is MAPC’s Golden Anniversary year: a half-century of promoting smart growth and regional collaboration in Greater Boston!
We celebrated our big year at the Fall Council Meeting, held at the Seaport World Trade Center on October 30, 2013. There was a brass band, a big cake (above), an insightful panel discussion, and an opportunity for MAPC to do what we do best: share practical, strategic ideas and information about the challenges and opportunities ahead for Greater Boston.
The festivities began with Boston Business District’s Downtown Brass Band (l) “playing us in” in style, and a welcome from MAPC President Michelle Ciccolo. Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Greg Bialecki (r) brought congratulations from Governor Deval Patrick and delivered remarks: “The fundamental question,” the Secretary said, “is whether municipalities will be the centers, the engines of the economy, or at the edges. Where we end up in twenty years will only be an accident if we let it be an accident.”
After council business — the approval of minutes and the treasurer’s report — MAPC’s Executive Director Marc Draisen (r) took the podium. “What we do at MAPC is about expanding the opportunities every day for the three million people who live in the Boston region, he said. “Planning is jobs, homes, places to play, places to live. All of which expands opportunity. Investing in transportation, especially bicycle and pedestrian, expands opportunity. And we must invest even more.”
Shirronda Almeida (below), Chair of the Sustainable Communities Consortium, addressed the packed house to great response.
A lively panel discussion followed, ably moderated by MAPC President Michelle Ciccolo. The distinguished panelists, who discussed “The Next 50 Years: Challenges and Opportunities,” were the Honorable Carolyn Kirk, Mayor of City of Gloucester; Dr. Judy Layzer, Professor at MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning; Mr. Paul McMorrow, Boston Globe columnist and Associate Editor of Commonwealth Magazine; and Mr. Aaron Naparstek, Founder of Streetsblog and Visiting Scholar at MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning.
Last, but very certainly not least, warm congratulations to Heidi Anderson, MAPC’s Municipal Procurement Services Manager, on being honored with The Robert Davidson Starr Achievement Award.
Congratulations to MAPC, to all of its members, and to all of its allies. It’s been a fruitful half-century of promoting smart growth and regional collaboration. Here’s to greater Boston area, and here’s to our next 50!