Climate Emergency Communications in Metro West Written by Sharon Ron, Assistant Director of Public Health August 25, 2023 – The residents of Metro West were concerned; in surveys and focus group conversations, they reflected that climate change was causing more extreme weather and wanted to know, “How can we be ready for climate emergencies?” In […]
Continue reading...Heat Preparedness Week 2023: Climate Change is a Public Health Issue Written by Sasha Shyduroff, Senior Clean Energy and Climate Planner August 21, 2023 – The Greater Boston region is experiencing more frequent and intense heat waves, as well as rising temperatures due to climate change. Just this year, a heat emergency was declared on July […]
Continue reading...New Subsidized Housing Inventory Figures Provide an Estimate of Affordable Housing Available in each Massachusetts Community While the new SHI provides important information about the state’s progress toward greater housing affordability, the picture remains incomplete. Written by Tim Reardon, Data Services Director August 4, 2023 – The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) […]
Continue reading...Introducing the MAPC Municipalities Emoji Map Written by Stephen Larrick, Digital Services Manager July 24, 2023 – Sometimes “civic technology” means building tools to analyze government data, solve public problems, and support transparent and informed decision making. And, sometimes, civic tech means having fun with emoji. 😃 Last Monday (July 17) was world emoji day, […]
Continue reading...New Research Supports Regional Trend: Supply of Off-Street Residential Parking Outweighs the Demand A more “perfect fit” of parking supply and demand can lower development costs, enable more affordable housing, free up land for open space, and promote sustainable transportation July 17, 2023 – BOSTON – The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) has expanded its […]
Continue reading...It’s Time to Pay Attention to Broadband The Broadband & Digital Equity Summit in Worcester preceded a significant announcement by the Biden Administration to provide Massachusetts with $147 million to expand high-speed internet in the state. Written by Sophie Arjevanidze, Civic Action Project Fellow July 7, 2023 – Last month, the Broadband and Digital Equity […]
Continue reading...Report Shows Greater Boston is Susceptible to Unpredictable Stormwater Flooding The vast majority of flood claims from March 2010 storms were outside of FEMA flood zones, according to analysis May 1, 2023 – BOSTON – While images of waves crashing over seawalls and motorists braving flooded streets may attract more attention, stormwater flooding is devastating […]
Continue reading...Metropolitan Area Planning Council Awards More Than $400k to 15 Local Projects Arlington, Ashland, Beverly, Boston, Cambridge, Carlisle, Everett, Framingham, Gloucester, Holliston, Ipswich, Lynn, Maynard, Middleton, Milton, Natick, Quincy, Randolph, Salem, Somerville receive grants for transportation projects, urban agriculture, zoning, affordable housing, language access, and more April 24, 2023 – BOSTON – Fifteen municipal projects […]
Continue reading...MAPC Finds Greater Boston Experienced Measurable Loss of Industrial Space Since 2011, Demand for this Space Remains Robust Deterioration of the regional industrial base could damage the region’s economic strength, price smaller firms out of the area, and have a disproportionate impact on workers of color and those without college degrees BOSTON – February 14, […]
Continue reading...STUDY: App-Based Food Orders Most Likely Outnumber Ride-Hailing Trips in Mass., with Major Impacts on Traffic, Climate & Low-Wage Workers Dark stores, emissions from delivery vehicles, and third-party app fees all have major effects on local economies, MAPC research finds; policy changes should incentivize e-bikes, data sharing, zoning for curbside management & state-level labor protections. […]
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