MetroCommon 2050 Speaker Series Events

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Numerous people sitting in chairs looking towards the front of the room. Text on the image says, "MetroCommon x 2050 Speaker Series".

Adopted by MAPC's Council in the fall of 2021, MetroCommon 2050 is Greater Boston's regional plan, led by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). The plan focuses on ways the Boston region can become more equitable, more prosperous, and more sustainable.

The MetroCommon 2050 Speaker Series are events hosted by MAPC that support the action areas of the plan: Inclusive Growth and Mobility; Homes for Everyone; A Climate-resilient Region; Dynamic and Representative Government; and Equity of Wealth and Health.

Questions? Please contact Eric Hove ([email protected]).

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Upcoming Events

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Currently we have no upcoming events scheduled. Please stay tuned, and check back often for when we do!

Section banner. Over a dark green arrow pointing to the right, text in white says, "Events Archive".
A banner of a collage of photos of people who attended the Grabar event on March 19, 2024. People talking, sitting in the audience, Henry Grabar behind the podium speaking.

March 19, 2024

Finding the Fit: How Parking Policies Shape Our Neighborhoods and Determine Housing Outcomes

As cities and towns work to comply with the MBTA Communities Act, this event focused on how municipalities could “right-size” parking for their communities, while managing this political issue and promoting healthy neighborhoods that are economically vibrant, equitable, and sustainable by design.

The Keynote address was by Henry Grabar; Slate staff writer, author (Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World), and a Loeb Fellow at the Harvard School of Design.

Following the keynote address was a panel of municipal planners discussing how they have taken the issue of the "perfect parking space", and advanced sustainable and equitable housing and transportation options.

Panelists:

  • JP Caccaglia, Economic Development Manager, Town of Needham 
  • Jay Monty, Transportation Planner, City of Everett 
  • Sarah Lewis, Director of Planning, Preservation, and Zoning, City of Somerville 

Event Media Coverage

Battle over parking often really about housing and development
Publication date: March 21, 2024 | Source: Commonwealth Beacon

Watch the Event Recording

View the Event Program

View the Presentation Slides

Read the Event Summary

Access Perfect Fit Parking Resources

Buy Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World

If you are interested in collaborating with MAPC in regard to transportation, housing, and/or parking issues within your community, please contact
Adi Nochur ([email protected]).

If you are a member of the press interested in interviewing MAPC staff regarding this event, please contact
Tim Viall ([email protected]).

View of the room full of people sitting in chairs facing the front of the room where Henry Grabar is speaking behind a podium through a handheld microphone. To the right of him is a screen with a presentation on it.
Photo of the front of the printed event program. There are three programs stacked on top of each other.
A close up of Henry Grabar speaking. He is standing behind a podium, speaking into a handheld microphone and to the right of him is a screen with a presentation on it.
Photo of the five panelists at the Henry Grabar event. Four males and one female sit in chairs in a horizontal row, with a large screen behind them. They are facing the audience, and the female panelist is holding a handheld microphone speaking. Photo Credit: Marilyn Humphries.