Planning Livable Communities

The “American dream” has often been equated to “owning a home of one’s own”; and, in the post-World War II era, that dream more specifically translated to “a move to the suburbs.” But those days are ending, argues Christopher B. Leinberger in The Atlantic.
He cites suburbs where “[v]andals have kicked in doors and stripped the copper [...]

Framingham was qualified for half a million in federal money for its Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project, according to Congressman Ed Markey and State Rep. Pam Richardson. The money will go toward “streetscape improvements throughout the Downtown area including periodic streetlight installation, installation of pedestrian-scale lighting, sidewalk and walkway construction, installation of street furniture, and landscaping,” [...]

Residents have proposed creating a network of walking and cycling paths in Cohasset, Hull, Hingham, Norwell, and Scituate, the Boston Globe reports. The idea is to be both recreational — so people can enjoy green space — and for actual transportation, to link up to parks and waterfronts as well as ferry and train stations.
“All [...]

The Boston Globe last week gave an approving nod to Hudson’s Adaptive Reuse Overlay District zoning, which makes it easier for the owners of old mills downtown to revamp the buildings for mixed commercial/residential use.
The zoning change will not qualify for subsidies under the state’s 40R Smart Growth program. That program requires rather high density [...]