Boston’s rich cultural history is expressed through its urban design. The diversity of its streetscape-featuring historic buildings next to modern skyscrapers, a street layout informed by infilled swampland and colonial parcel lines, and neighborhoods that bare scars of gentrification and urban renewal and have since been reclaimed by their communities–reflects the diversity and experiences of its residents. While this diversity is to be celebrated, it can also be difficult to write a one-size-fits-all approach to designing in Boston.
As Boston grows and new projects are built to meet the demands of a growing population and economy, designers will need to look to design principles and performance standards to guide growth, rather than adherence to any one style. Growth paired with good design is centered on people.
Above all else, design in Boston must meet the needs of the people who live, work, and play here today and the people who will live, work, and play here tomorrow
Citywide Design Guidelines
The Planning Department is pleased to release draft Citywide Design Guidelines
These guidelines are one part of a handbook for creating high-quality design that meets those needs. They are intended to inspire, empower, and guide developers, designers, community leaders, and residents. The guidelines that follow build on the City of Boston’s Design Vision, which are:
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Design from Understanding: Good design uses engagement and observation to reflect an understanding of people and place.
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Design for the Future: The things we build today should be sustainable, resilient, and adaptive, so that they will last for generations to come.
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Design Beyond the Boundary: Every new building and every open space has an impact on the city far beyond their own parcel line.
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Design the Details: Good design centers the everyday experience of people and communities, and expresses those experiences at all scales.
This is a living document. As the needs of Boston change over time, these standards and guidelines may be updated or chapters may be added to respond to new typologies, advancements in building technology, and city planning initiatives. Projects that follow these guidelines will contribute to a Boston that is responsive to the present and resilient toward future challenges.
Other Recent Design Guidelines
While these guidelines should be used by designers working anywhere in the city of Boston, other guidelines that have been developed through a geographically-focused planning study or engagement effort may also apply, such as:
Planning Department
Design Review Process Overviews
Citywide guidelines
Area-specific Design Guidelines
Other useful reference documents