News

Millennials are making more money in their 20s than Gen Xers or baby boomers did at the same age, but they’re spending the largest share of that income on rent, according to a RENTCafé study reported in Multifamily Executive (4/12/18).

The Town of Acton is looking for a Planning Intern. Please share the attached internship posting for anyone who is interested. Please see the attachment for the full description and how to apply. Applications will be accepted until May 11th.

Contact the Acton Planning Department for more information: planning@acton-ma.gov

The notion that an active cultural milieu can have a broad-ranging economic impact is certainly not a novel concept for most real estate developers. But Miami’s rapid and sustained growth due to its significant investment in cultural development is perhaps one of the more successful case studies on the concept.

https://urbanland.uli.org/planning-design/art-revitalizes-urban-neighborhoods-maintaining-affordability-remains-challenge/

When you search the Top 100 urban planning and development, architecture, or built environment books on Amazon you may notice the abundance of male voices, male authors. This book list is meant for men and women alike – to be inspired by those in our field and to gain greater perspectives in planning and developing built

https://theglobalgrid.org/15-must-read-urbanism-books-written-women-honor-international-womens-day/

Are the urban revival and the future of mobility already rendering parking lots obsolete? Chicago provides a case study of a new generation of skyscrapers rising were cars once parked.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/ori/ct-biz-parking-redevelopment-ryan-ori-20180308-story.html

"Urban planners have been melding mainstreaming and city design in Vienna for over two decades and they've gotten it down to something of a science. Before a project gets underway, data is collected to determine how different groups of people use public space."

https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2013/09/how-design-city-women/6739/

"Imagine you are 10 years old. You live in a medium-sized city and want to visit your best friend, a five-minute walk away, so you can go to the park, another 10 minutes’ walk. The problem is, there’s a big, dangerous road between you and your friend, and another between them and the park. You ask your parents if you can walk, they say no, and they are too busy to take you there themselves.

Perhaps you SnapChat your friend instead, perhaps you play a video game on the sofa. You’ve lost out on exercise and time outside, interacting with your neighbourhood and, of course, play time with your friend. 

This is the reality for many kids today – but it doesn’t have to be this way.

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/feb/28/child-friendly-city-indoors-playing-healthy-sociable-outdoors

Please check the thoughtful response to the Globe Editorial from members of MACP's Executive Committee.

Planning is not 'expensive,' Boston Globe 3-4-18.pdf 

"It is illegal to operate a mobile phone to talk, text or listen to music while crossing the street in Montclair, California."

https://www.planetizen.com/node/97292?utm_source=newswire&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news-02222018&mc_cid=d33e1a08b5&mc_eid=b9p0fICGm0

 

The Mass. Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA-MA) and Mass. Association of Planning Directors (MAPD) are co-sponsoring this FREE movie and networking event:

"Citizen Jane: Battle for the City". This documentary about Jane Jacobs and the battle to save Greenwich Village during the era of Urban Renewal got a 94% rating from Rotten Tomatoes!  Please RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/planners-movie-and-meet-up-citizen-jane-battle-for-the-city-tickets-42470905622

Wednesday March 7, 2018

Capitol Theatre, 204 Mass. Ave., Arlington, MA  

5:30-6:30  Networking, appetizers and cash bar

6:30-8:00  Movie

8:00-9:00  Discussion