Imagine Boston 2030

About

The general plan of 1965 sought to convince people that Boston’s decline had ended. Fast-forward to today, and it’s clear that Boston has undergone an incredible transformation.

Today, Boston is in a uniquely powerful position to create quality jobs, strengthen our competitive economy, add the housing our city needs to become more affordable, and prepare for climate change. To achieve this vision, we'll embrace growth as a way to address our challenges and make the City stronger and more inclusive.

Goals

Imagine Boston 2030 has set the following goals to guide implementation and evaluate success:

encourage affordability, reduce displacement, and improve quality of life
increase access to opportunity
drive inclusive economic growth
promote a healthy environment and prepare for climate change, and
invest in open space, arts and culture, transportation, and infrastructure.

how we will achieve these goals

Timeline

Housing a Changing City released (September 2015)
IB2030 engagement (November 2015 - June 2017)
Guiding Growth (March 2016)
First Draft: Enhancing Opportunities (November 2016)
Second Draft: Imagine Boston 2030 (May 2017)
Final Document (July 2017)

Summarized

Executive summary

Setting the context

Boston's opportunity for growth

Next steps

How we're getting it done

growth and enhancement

Imagine Boston identifies types of places for growth and enhancement. Today, Boston can be thought about as three distinct types of places:

existing neighborhoods
the commercial core, and
edge areas.

We will enhance neighborhoods and continue to encourage a mixed-use core. We’ll do this while expanding neighborhoods. We must also create a resilient and inclusive waterfront for future generations. We want to expand access to opportunity and reduce disparities along the Fairmount Corridor.

Taking Action

Imagine Boston 2030’s action areas are physical locations where initiatives come together to respond to key opportunities and challenges. They are the physical embodiment of Boston's boldest aspirations: a set of initiatives that, when implemented in the same location, will achieve multiple goals. The Boston Planning & Development Agency's planning initiatives are instrumental in the fulfillment of the vision and goals defined by the process.

Learn more about the Imagine Boston 2030 implementation.

Taking action

Create a waterfront for future generations

Boston’s waterfront has shaped urban development since the City’s inception.

Encourage a mixed-use core

Boston’s core is the anchor of the City’s economy.

Enhance neighborhoods

Residents care about strengthening what we love about our neighborhoods.

Expand neighborhoods

Residents identified areas between neighborhoods as places where Boston can grow.

Generate networks of opportunity: Fairmount Corridor

The corridor is home to a diverse population. This includes a growing population of school-aged children and immigrant communities.

Initiatives

Arts and culture

We strive to create a vibrant public art realm. We encourage Arts Innovation Districts, support existing artists, and attract new artists.

Economy

We strive to give pathways to quality careers. We want to strengthen wealth-building policies. Our goal is to encourage job growth and support our small businesses.

Education

We will build a system that is student-centered and easy-to-navigate. We'll prioritize equity, innovation, and learning.

Energy and environment

Boston is taking a combined approach to addressing climate change.

Health and safety

We strive to address persistent health inequities. We'll do this by setting goals for improving health outcomes for all residents.

Housing

We will encourage responsible housing production. We'll work to increase affordable housing options and reduce displacement.

Land use and planning

Land can be used to guide growth and meet citywide policy goals.

Open space

Boston is home to some of the country’s most iconic parkland. Almost every Bostonian lives within a 10-minute walk to a park or open space.

Technology

We're continuing to embrace technology in our City infrastructure and services.

Transportation

Our transit network connects residents to opportunity and creates vibrant neighborhoods.

Imagine Boston 2030 Metrics

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Metrics Dashboard

The 14 metrics reflect the five goals created by residents.

dive into the details

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Imagine Boston 2030 data video

Learn more about how we're tracking progress with Imagine Boston 2030.

Watch the video

Upham's Corner activation

We aim to revitalize the culture, stimulate commerce, and celebrate the Fairmount Corridor connector as a vital cultural anchor. Learn more about the Upham's process.

Get involved