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Norwood Hazard Mitigation Plan

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The Town of Norwood has prepared an updated Hazard Mitigation Plan to help the Town reduce its vulnerability to natural hazards such as flooding, hurricanes, and winter storms. The plan also addresses the impacts of climate change and features recommended mitigation actions the Town can take to become more resilient to natural hazards.

The Town of Norwood’s Hazard Mitigation Team was assisted by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) in preparing this draft plan. The project was funded by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) through a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant.

2024 Draft Plan

The Norwood draft Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024 Update is available for downloading below.  

The Town wants to hear from you! If you have any questions or would like to send a comment, please send an email to [email protected] by April 24, 2024. 

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Hull Hazard Mitigation Plan

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The Town of Hull has prepared an updated Hazard Mitigation Plan to help the Town reduce its vulnerability to natural hazards such as flooding, hurricanes, and winter storms. The plan also addresses the impacts of climate change and features recommended mitigation actions the Town can take to become more resilient to natural hazards. 

The Town of Hull’s Hazard Mitigation Team was assisted by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) in preparing this draft plan. The project was funded by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) through a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant. 

2024 Approved Plan

The Hull Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024 Update was approved by FEMA on September 13, 2024. You can download the approved plan below.

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Essex Hazard Mitigation Plan

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The Town of Essex has prepared an updated Hazard Mitigation Plan to help the Town reduce its vulnerability to natural hazards such as flooding, hurricanes, and winter storms. The plan also addresses the impacts of climate change and features recommended mitigation actions the Town can take to become more resilient to natural hazards. 

The Town of Essex Hazard Mitigation Team was assisted by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) in preparing this draft plan. The project was funded by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) through a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant. 

2024 Draft Plan

The Essex draft Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024 Update is available for downloading below.  

The Town wants to hear from you! If you have any questions or would like to send a comment, please send an email to EssexResilience@mapc.org by May 31, 2024. 

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MAPC Publications

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MAPC Publications

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MAPC Publications
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MAPC >> Resources >> Report

Over the years, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) has produced a tremendous amount of diverse publications, from case studies, research reports, visioning projects, and much more. Many of you have requested a central “library” on our website where you can find every publication. We heard you, and we are working to create this central library. It’s a work in progress, so we appreciate your patience, and encourage you to check back often as we will continuously be adding our publications to this page.

MAPC is a government research organization.  It’s many research studies and publications are widely relied upon by lawmakers and other research organizations.

Questions? Please contact Amanda Belles at [email protected].

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2025 Publications
2024 Publications
2023 Publications

Publications Archive
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | Before 2020

Interactive Research

2025 Publications

Data Open Doors: Measuring the Affordable Housing Gap in Massachusetts

Published April 2025

Cover for the Data Open Doors report. There is a photo of brick apartments in the shape of a circle. Text on the cover says, "Data Open Doors. Measuring the Affordable Housing Gap in Massachusetts. April 2025. A Housing Navigator MA Research Series." In the upper right of the image are the logos for Housing Navigator and MAPC.

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2024 Publications

An Update on Housing Production’s Affect on Public School Enrollment

Published February 2024

Figure 1. School Enrollment in Massachusetts by year, 2005/2006 through 2019/2020. A bar graph showing the various levels of enrollment.

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Language Access Guide for Municipalities

Published February 2024

A sign that has the word "Welcome" on it in different languages. Words to the right of the sign say, "Language Access". The background color of the entire image is a light blue.

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Transportation Funding Policy Briefs – Three Separate Briefs

Published August 2024

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2023 Publications

Land, Economy, and Opportunity: Industrial Land Supply and Demand in Greater Boston

Published February 2023

White text over a dark blue background says, "Metropolitan Area Planning Council. Land, Economy, Opportunity: Industrial Land Supply and Demand in Greater Boston. February 2023.

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Water, Water, Everywhere: The Increasing Threat of Stormwater Flooding in Greater Boston

Published May 2023

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Perfect Fit Parking Research: Phase 4 Update

Published July 2023

A parking lot with vehicles parked in it with some open parking spaces. Text says, "Perfect Fit Parking". "Improving the Way Developers and Planners Assess Parking Demand."

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Homes for Profit: Speculation and Investment in Greater Boston

Published November 2023

Background image is of homes in the Boston area. Light blue words on a dark blue background say, "Homes for Profit: Speculation and Investment in Greater Boston." In smaller white letters text says, "Our new research found one in every five homes sold to an investor from 2004 to 2018."

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Publications Archive

2022 Publications

Rethinking the Retail Strip
Published January 2022
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From App to Table: Rapid Food Deliveries in Massachusetts
Published December 2022
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2021 Publications

The Impacts of Land Use and Pricing in Reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled and Transport Emissions in Massachusetts
Published January 2021
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Research: Hidden in Plain Sight – Impacts of E-Commerce in Massachusetts
Published February 2021
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2020 Publications

Crowded In and Priced Out: Why it’s So Hard to Find a Family-sized Unit in Greater Boston
Published February 2020
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COVID-19 Layoff Housing Gap
Published April – October 2020
Access Original Report and Updates

Racial Disparities in the Proximity to Vehicle Air Pollution in the MAPC Region
Published May 2020
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The Diversity Deficit: Municipal Employees in Metro Boston
Published July 2020
Access the Research Brief

Evictions and COVID-19: The Responsibility of the Large Landlord
Published December 2020
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Introduction to the Zoning Atlas
Published December 2020
Access the Research Report Webpage

Before 2020 Publications

I-495 Study: Final Report | Published September 2009
Construction Enduced Enrollment Analysis: The Impact of School Construction on District Enrollment in Massachusetts Public Schools 1996-2006 | Published December 2009
The Boston Region’s Pedestrian Transportation Plan | Published 2010
Growing Station Areas: Typology of Transit Station Areas Across Metro Boston and Estimates of Housing Development Potential | Published 2012
Kids Are Commuters Too: Assessing the Mode Shift Potential of Walk to School Programs | Published July 2012
Dimensons of Displacement: Baseline Data for Managing Neighborhood Change in Somerville’s Green Line Corridor | Published February 2014
Transportation Demand Management Case Studies and Regulations | Published July 2015
Building for the Middle: Housing Greater Boston’s Workforce | Published September 2016
The Waning Influence of Housing Production on Public School Enrollment | Published October 2017
Fare Choicies: A Survey of Ride-hailing Passengers in Metro Boston | Published February 2018
State of Equity for Metro Boston: Policy Agenda Update | Published February 2018
Share of Choices: Further Evidence of the Ride-hailing Effect in Metro Boston and Massachusetts | Published May 2018
First Miles: Examining 18 Miles of Dockless Bikeshare in Metro Boston | Published November 2019

Interactive Research

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Land, Economy, Opportunity: Industrial Land Supply and Demand in Greater Boston

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Land, Economy, Opportunity: Industrial Land Supply and Demand in Greater Boston

An African-American man wearing a plaid shirt, apron, safety glasses, and safety ear muffs, stands over a work table using a tool on a piece of wood. Another person wearing a face mask stands in the background working at a work table.
Photo Credit: Tima Miroshnichenko, via pexels.com
Land, Economy, Opportunity: Industrial Land Supply and Demand in Greater Boston
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MAPC >> Resources >> Report

As an organization committed to advancing smart growth, MAPC strongly believes the preservation of industrial lands is key to the to the growth and resilience of the region’s economic base and supports equitable economic development locally and regionally.  

Industrial lands preservation aligns with several recommendations of our regional plan, MetroCommon 2050, including: 

Goal 2: Everyone has the financial resources to meet their needs and to live fulfilling lives.  

Goal 3: Greater Boston’s economy benefits all in the region 

The Land, Economy, Opportunity: Industrial Land Supply and Demand in Greater Boston report provides a baseline understanding of the industrial sector and presents a spatial analysis of the lands used for production, distribution and repair – activities that are correlated to the creation and retention of good jobs.  

Questions?

If you have questions or would like to work with MAPC on an economic development engagement, please contact:
Angela Brown, Chief of Economic Development
[email protected] 

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Holliston Economic Development Vision and Service Plan

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Holliston Economic Development Vision and Service Plan

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Holliston Economic Development Vision and Service Plan
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MAPC >> Resources >> Report

Many town officials, staff and committee volunteers care deeply and want to build an economically healthy and vibrant base of businesses, jobs, amenities and commerce in their community.  The Town of Holliston’s Administrator and all-volunteer Economic Development Committee came together and engaged MAPC to help establish a shared vision and service model to guide their ongoing and future efforts in downtown enhancement, establishing a sense of place, small business attraction and support, and industrial park tenant attraction and support.   

February 2023  

The Town of Holliston Economic Development Vision and Service Model Plan, prepared by MAPC, provides analysis and recommendations to advance sustainable, effective economic development in Holliston, with recommendations carefully attuned to its needs and opportunities. The report summarizes current data and resources assessed from existing plans and data, reports the findings of an economic development community workshop we held, and offers recommendations on creating a local service model that is centered on the Holliston Economic Development Committee and its prospective and current partners.  

Questions?

If you have questions or would like to work with MAPC on an economic development engagement, please contact:
Angela Brown, Chief of Economic Development
[email protected] 

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Plan Funding

This plan was funded by the Town of Holliston, using resources awarded to it from a Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant.  

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Emerald Cities Collaborative Boston Contractor Academy Market Assessment 

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Emerald Cities Collaborative Boston Contractor Academy Market Assessment

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Emerald Cities Collaborative Boston Contractor Academy Market Assessment 
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MAPC >> Resources >> Report

The Emerald Cities Collaborative Boston Contractor Academy Market Assessment  report provides the findings of a market study assessment performed by MAPC Economic Development Division. The Economic Development Division amassed quantitative and qualitative analyses into a market assessment it performed on behalf of the Clean Energy Department and MAPC’s partner Emerald Cities Collaborative (ECC.) The partners examined the level of market demand for weatherization and energy efficiency retrofit services delivery, with particular attention to the residential market, including properties eligible for the Massachusetts LEAN weatherization assistance program. Research included demographic, housing, industry sector, and market potential. This study also incorporates the input of contractors, especially those usually underrepresented in the field such as BIPOC- and women-owned contractors, as well as Community Action Agencies, housing developers, and partner organizations.  One part analyzes trends in the labor market pertinent to this work, and the other part explores the potential target service markets in the Greater Boston region. 

Questions?

If you have questions or would like to work with MAPC on an economic development engagement, please contact:
Angela Brown, Chief of Economic Development
[email protected] 

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Homes for Profit: Speculation and Investment in Greater Boston

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Homes for Profit: Speculation and Investment in Greater Boston

Our new research found one in every five homes sold to an investor from 2004 to 2018

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BRIEFING

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PRESS RELEASE

IN THE NEWS

MAPC has released research that examines the prevalence, characteristics, and spatial patterns of residential property speculation in Greater Boston. Our research finds that low-income urban communities of color experience the highest rates of speculative investor activity. Investors are often able to buy properties at a discount using cash, and they are also more likely than non-investors to flip their properties and to make a significantly higher profit on flipped properties than non-investors. Our November 30 featured a presentation of this research and a panel discussion.

Click Here to View the Full Report.
Click Here to View the Executive Summary.

Report Release Briefing

Thursday, November 30, 2023 12:00 p.m.

Guest panelists included:

Headshot photo of Angie Liou

Angie Liou, Executive Director, Asian Community Development Corporation

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Brian An, PhD, Director, Master of Science in Public Policy Program, Georgia Institute of Technology

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Katie McCann, Rent Control Campaign Coordinator, City Life/Vida Urbana

Tim Reardon, Chief of Data and Research, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities

This map on the right represents data from the Homes for Profit report. The interactive map allows you to select a geography to see the data and use the controls to choose which data to visualize, apply filters, adjust colors, or show different geographies.

For more details about how these data were generated, visit the About page.

Related Research

Housing Submarkets

To help provide a way for local stakeholders to understand housing market diversity within the region and individual municipalities, MAPC classified housing in Greater Boston into seven distinct submarkets – neighborhoods with similar housing stock and market characteristics.

MetroCommon 2050 Action Area: Homes for Everyone

Greater Boston’s housing crisis devastates the cost-burdened, hurts the region’s quality of life, and weakens its economic competitiveness. How do we create more places to live, and protect against displacement?

In the News

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Hanover Mitigation Plan and MVP Report

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The Town of Hanover has prepared an updated Hazard Mitigation Plan to help the town reduce its vulnerability to natural hazards such as flooding, hurricanes, and winter storms. Hanover has also completed the Hanover Municipal Vulnerability Program Report under the state program that addresses the impacts of climate change and features recommended mitigation actions Hanover can take to become more resilient to natural hazards.

The Town of Hanover’s Hazard Mitigation/MVP Core Team was assisted by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) in the preparation of the draft Hazard Mitigation Plan and the accompanying Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness report. The project was funded by an MVP Planning Grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affair.

June 2023 Mitigation Plan Draft

The Town of Hanover draft Hazard Mitigation Plan 2023 Update is available for downloading below.

If you have any questions or would like to send a comment, please send an email to [email protected] by Monday, June 26, 2023.

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June 2023 MVP Report

The Town of Hanover Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Report 2023 is available for downloading below.

If you have any questions or would like to send a comment, please send an email to [email protected] by Monday, June 26.

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Marlborough Hazard Mitigation Plan

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The City of Marlborough has prepared an updated Hazard Mitigation Plan to help the City reduce its vulnerability to natural hazards such as flooding, hurricanes, and winter storms. The plan also addresses the impacts of climate change and features recommended mitigation actions the City can take to become more resilient to natural hazards.

The City of Marlborough’s Hazard Mitigation Team was assisted by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) in the preparation of this draft plan. The project was funded by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) through a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant.

May 2023 Draft

The Marlborough draft Hazard Mitigation Plan 2023 Update is available for downloading below.

If you have any questions or would like to send a comment, please send an email to [email protected] by June 16, 2023.

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