Bioswale | Photo via Aaron Volkening, Flickr Stormwater runoff is one the major contributors of pollution in our waterways on any given day. When system failures occur due to excessive precipitation, our streets and homes flood and residents are sometimes exposed to untreated wastewater – and this will become more and more of a concern […]
Continue reading...As public schools let out this week in Greater Boston, summer fun is on people’s minds and many are planning their vacations, barbeques, and other summer activities. While the warmer weather is welcomed by many, it also signals the start of extreme heat season – which can be a public health hazard, especially for the […]
Continue reading...Climate change is already visible across the Metro Boston region, forcing individuals and communities to cope with increasingly severe weather, unpredictable harvests and workplace conditions, and greater risks from vector-borne and heat-related illnesses. MAPC’s newest art installation “Schools of Thought on Climate Change: Stories from Land and Sea,” integrates storytelling with public art to show […]
Continue reading...The deadline to file bills for the 2019-2020 Massachusetts legislative session was Friday, Jan. 19. Over 5,000 bills were filed before that date – including several smart growth priorities from MAPC. Our proposals were crafted to address the transportation, climate, and housing challenges in the 101 cities and towns of our region. If enacted, these […]
Continue reading...We Want to Hear From You! The Metropolitan Area Planning Council is developing a resource for municipalities looking to adapt policies and bylaws in response to climate change – and we’re looking for best practices and examples. Climate change will bring extreme rainfall, stronger heat waves, more frequent droughts, and coastal flooding. Have you adopted […]
Continue reading...On-line questionnaire and roundtable discussion to gather local feedback For Immediate Release: Friday, October 5, 2018 NEWTON – Are you interested in helping Newton address climate change? Join staff from the City and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) at an upcoming roundtable discussion on October 23, 2018, designed to gather citizen feedback and begin […]
Continue reading...Last year, the 2017 hurricane season was one of the most intense on record, with three Category 4 storms making landfall in the U.S. Last week, Hurricane Florence hit the Carolinas hard. The impacts of these storms can be devastating, including property damage, injury, and even death. September also happens to be National Preparedness Month, […]
Continue reading...The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) today issued a statement in reaction to the proposed rule from the Trump Administration that would imperil the current greenhouse gas emission standards for model year 2021-2026 vehicles, and put in place weakened emission and fuel efficiency standards at the expense of our health, our environment, and our economy.
Continue reading...In 15 days, on July 31, the formal session for the Massachusetts Legislature will end – meaning that the House and Senate have two short weeks to approve the FY2019 State Budget and pass important legislation. The Legislature continues to work on completing the FY2019 State Budget and is contemplating several pieces of legislation that […]
Continue reading...