Division Mission

The BPDA's Comprehensive Planning Division works with Boston's communities to create long-term plans that help foster the development of attractive, safe, diverse, and economically thriving places to live, work and play. Planning efforts engage local residents, businesses, agencies, and institutions in guiding the future character of Boston's unique neighborhoods and districts.

In the past, the Comprehensive Planning Division worked at the neighborhood level to create community visions that look at current assets and opportunities for future growth to enhance the quality of life. Now, the division is shifting its focus towards large-scale citywide plans, working in tandem with other city departments to ensure all aspects of  the built environment are considered through the planning process. Planners explore the issues of land use, housing needs, open space, transportation and multimodal networks, and economic development with community members. The envisioned plans, informed by the community's input, guide future development scenarios and may result in:

  • urban design guidelines,
  • master plans,
  • zoning recommendations, and/or
  • other policy changes.

Organization

The Comprehensive Planning Division is staffed by a team of professional urban planners. BPDA planners help facilitate the planning process through a series of public meetings as needed.

Staff

For more information, please contact Caitlin Coppinger, Deputy Director of Comprehensive Planning.