Top

Heat Preparedness Week 2022: Take Action Today

In the Greater Boston region, we’re experiencing more frequent and intense heat waves, as well as rising temperatures due to climate change. Scientists predict we could experience up to 40 days over 90 degrees by 2030.     This critical issue must continue to be elevated across the region for members of the public, policy makers, and decision-makers. Community-centered planning and […]

Continue reading...

Regional Climate Collaboration: A Metro Mayors Celebration

In 2015, the Metro Mayors Coalition – a group of “Inner Core” cities and towns surrounding and including Boston – convened to sign a historic Climate Preparedness Commitment and pledged to work together to prepare the region for climate change. Since then, all 15 Metro Mayors communities have made strides to prepare for climate change, […]

Continue reading...

Statement of Support for the AAPI Community

Continue reading...

Best Practices for Streamlining Solar Permitting and Inspection Processes

Earlier this year, MAPC was selected to participate in SolSmart, a program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative. SolSmart is a national program that recognizes communities that have taken steps to reduce solar soft costs and increase the efficiency of solar permitting and inspection processes. The program has enabled MAPC to work alongside […]

Continue reading...

Who Benefits (and Who Can Be Harmed) as Neighborhoods Change?

Gentrification changes neighborhoods. It raises property values and brings new investments in parks and public spaces, streetscapes, and services. These are changes that can improve economic and social well-being. Unfortunately, changes like these can also push individuals and families in these same neighborhoods from their homes. One particular way this threat can come is by […]

Continue reading...

How Municipalities Are Saving Money and Energy through MAPC’s Peak Demand Notification Program

For most of us, paying for electricity means paying for what we use. Municipalities do that, too, but they also have to pay something called a capacity charge for their large accounts. This is a charge assessed by ISO-New England, the grid operator, to ensure account holders pay in proportion to their usage and that […]

Continue reading...

8th Annual Shannon Grant Basketball Tournament

On August 6th, the communities involved in the Metro Mayors Shannon Grant Community Safety Initiative came together for the 8th Annual Metro Mayors Basketball Tournament, organized by MAPC. The tournament was held at Trum Field in Somerville and hosted teams from Malden, Cambridge, Quincy, Revere, Chelsea, Somerville, Everett, and Winthrop. Despite some mid-afternoon rain, youth […]

Continue reading...

MAPC Partners with Tufts University on Food Access Mapping

Staff from MAPC’s Public Health and Data Services departments partnered with students from Tufts University this spring to analyze access to healthy food across Massachusetts. Food access is a fundamental element to healthy neighborhoods. Where communities face barriers to getting their grocery needs met, people are less healthy, and obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related illnesses […]

Continue reading...

Communities Find New Ways to Access Cleaner, More Affordable Energy

By Cammy Peterson, Clean Energy Director at MAPC. Cross-posted from the Barr Foundation blog. How leading cities and towns in Massachusetts are scaling up renewable energy while bringing cost savings to their residents. When your electricity bill comes in the mail, do you think about changing your supplier? Massachusetts customers have been able to choose […]

Continue reading...

Food Planning for the 21st Century

In December 2015 MAPC and allies released the first food policy plan for the state of Massachusetts since the 1970s. The Massachusetts Local Food Action Plan is a planning guide rich with recommendations for the 21st century economy, from fishing towns to food trucks and urban and rural farms. Background In 2013, the Massachusetts Food Policy Council engaged […]

Continue reading...