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Mayor Menino Unveils Back Bay’s APA Great Places in America Award

Nov 05, 2010

Announces 2011 National APA Conference to be Held in Boston

On Friday, November 5, 2010 Mayor Menino joined the BRA, American Planning Association (APA), the Back Bay Association and Back Bay residents and business leaders to unveil the Back Bay’s Great Places in America award at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. In October, the APA designated the Back Bay as one of the 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2010 under the organization’s Great Places in America program. The award will remain on display at the Library in the main lobby for a couple of months. Additionally, Mayor Menino announced that the APA will hold its 2011 national conference in Boston at the Hynes Convention Center, April 9-12, marking the conference’s first return since 1998.

“This vibrant neighborhood is no accident. It is the result of a lot of hard work, planning and a lot of partnership. I want to thank the BRA, the business owners, and the residents of the Back Bay for working together to strengthen this neighborhood,” Mayor Menino said. “I believe people want to live in places that are unique. We have put neighborhoods at the center of our work because we know that strong neighborhoods make a strong city. I’m delighted that the APA has recognized what we here have known for some time – that the Back Bay is truly one of the great places in America. It’s great that their members will be able to see this first hand when they visit in April for the national conference.”

APA Great Places exemplify exceptional character and highlight the role planners and planning play in creating communities of lasting value. APA singled out the elegant Back Bay for its Victorian houses – considered by some to be the finest collection of its kind in the country; its successful retail and commercial area with some of the tallest buildings in New England; extensive public open spaces anchored by the Esplanade, the Public Garden and Commonwealth Avenue Mall; and engaged residents, business and corporate leaders, and citizen groups.

The 2011 national APA conference will bring more than 4,000 attendees to the city. BRA staff will be leading over 20 mobile workshops at the conference, including bicycle tours of artist studios and green buildings; walking tours of the Back Bay and many of Boston’s other great neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Roxbury, the LMA, and Charlestown Navy Yard; and, mobile workshops focusing on Boston’s remarkable achievements in affordable housing. BRA staff is also developing a guidebook called the Planners Guide which will highlight planning accomplishments and successes throughout Boston’s many neighborhoods. The Planners Guide will be available online for all Boston residents and visitors to enjoy as well.

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