News

"global social housing movement, in which governments directly develop large-scale, mixed-income residential projects. In many European and East Asian countries, public development corporations have become significant real estate players. By developing large numbers of homes on public land, often in architecturally striking complexes closely linked to public transit, these agencies can shape the overall housing market and lower average prices. They can benefit from economies of scale and cross-subsidization, wherein the rents of higher-income tenants directly subsidize rents of their lower-income neighbors."

 https://www.fastcompany.com/91318915/this-parisian-neighborhood-could-be-a-blueprint-for-better-american-cities 

"As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

...Carney’s housing platform in some ways resembles that of the Democratic nominee for president in November, Kamala Harris. But Carney’s platform deviates from that of his center-left American analog in crucial ways. It’s worth examining each candidate’s housing platform to see where the Democratic party falls short compared to global peers...

Perhaps, Canada will be able to show its neighbor (or, it’s neighbour…) that when it comes to housing, bolder is better."

https://www.planetizen.com/features/134879-canada-vs-kamala-whose-liberal-housing-platform-comes-out-top?utm_source=Planetizen%2BUpdates&utm_campaign=1c25f1362f-newswire_04_28_25&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-6cce27a957-89126228&mc_cid=1c25f1362f&mc_eid=b9p0fICGm0

"The program has eliminated some prior criteria related to “Economic competitiveness, equity considerations, workforce, and the climate.” The program will also take a negative view of projects that would reduce car lanes or capacity."

https://www.planetizen.com/news/2025/04/134827-safe-streets-grants-what-know?utm_source=Planetizen%2BUpdates&utm_campaign=288a761f86-newswire_04_24_25&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-6cce27a957-89126228&mc_cid=288a761f86&mc_eid=b9p0fICGm0

Gail Latimore will give the 2025 Mass. Distinguished Planner lecture. Gail has been a leading voice in neighborhood planning in Boston for more than 25 years. As Executive Director of the Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, she helped shape that organization as a powerful force for affordable housing, economic development, sustainability and community engagement.

Fri., March 14 at 4 pm

Location: 909 Renaissance Park, 1135 Tremont St., Boston
By subway: 2-minute walk from the Ruggles Orange Line T stop or a 10-minute walk from Northeastern University Green Line T stop.

By car: Park at the Renaissance Park Garage ($28 for 2 hours).

Solid barriers, like the dormant ones in New Orleans, are commonly used to improve road safety in Europe. Why not here?

https://www.planetizen.com/news/2025/01/133835-why-arent-there-more-bollards-us-cities?utm_source=Planetizen%2BUpdates&utm_campaign=0e6e9fc4e9-newswire_01_20_25&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-6cce27a957-89126228&mc_cid=0e6e9fc4e9&mc_eid=b9p0fICGm0

Some people just seem steeped in transport. Carol Schweiger is one of those: she’s had nearly five decades’ experience consulting in ITS and advanced public transportation systems and is a regular speaker at the industry’s international conferences and congresses...

https://www.itsinternational.com/feature/carol-schweiger-i-never-looked-back

Judi Barrett, founder and managing director of Barrett Planning Group, was awarded CPM's prestigious lifetime achievement award for her "work and dedication to the planning profession as a practitioner, thought leader, mentor, educator, colleague and volunteer." Barrett Planning Group was also recognized by APA for its role in several award-winning projects.

Mark Favermann, a member of CPM's Executive Committee, was awarded APA Mass.'s  Journalism & Communications Award for excellence in journalistic/media coverage of a planning issues.

Congratulations, Judi and Mark!

Singapore has seen a remarkable rise in life expectancy, with residents now expected to live to more than 86 years, a significant leap from the 1960s when life expectancy was just 65. As reported by Lindsey Galloway, the city-state’s transformation has been driven by forward-thinking government policies focused on health, wellness, and longevity. Singapore was named the world’s sixth “Blue Zone” in August 2023, a designation typically reserved for regions where people live longer due to lifestyle, culture, and community. Unlike other Blue Zones, Singapore’s success is rooted in its intentional policies rather than long-standing traditions.

Health-conscious policies, such as high taxes on cigarettes and alcohol, public smoking bans, and initiatives to encourage healthier diets, have significantly impacted public health. Residents like Firdaus Syazwani have noticed changes in the community’s health consciousness, with government measures like nutritional labeling and sugar reduction playing a role. Singapore’s healthcare system is globally recognized, ranked the best in the world for citizen health and access to care. Universal healthcare, combined with private services and savings funds, ensures a balance between quality care and affordability.

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20241002-singapore-the-worlds-sixth-blue-zone

Planner, urban designer and community branding expert (and CPM member) Mark Favermann explores the 15-minute city concept and how it might be improved in the Mass. APA Fall 2024 magazine https://www.apa-ma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/MA-Planning-F24-1.pdf

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In 2015 the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative (SCRI) became the co-sponsor, with FEMA’s Office of Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (OEHP), of the Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF), a public- private partnership created to protect our nation’s cultural heritage. Both SCRI and OEHP are committed to expanding training for U.S. cultural stewards, first responders, and emergency managers to better prepare them to work together to address emergencies and disasters that affect cultural institutions and historic sites.

In 2017, HENTF created this training opportunity for U.S.–based professionals to gain skills and experience in disaster response for cultural heritage. SCRI hosted the inaugural Heritage Emergency and Response Training (HEART) for 25 participants selected from a range of museums, libraries, archives, and emergency management organizations representing 21 states and the Territory of Puerto Rico. In March and June of 2018, HENTF brought HEART to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, respectively. Previously, SCRI has successfully supported and hosted this type of training for international participants as part of its six-year partnership with ICCROM and the Prince Claus Fund for the First Aid for Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis (FAC) training program.

HEART combines the important principles of the internationally recognized FAC methodology with context-specific information for a U.S. audience. HEART goals are to improve U.S. disaster response at the institutional level, strengthen existing networks, and connect participants to the network of people trained to document and protect cultural heritage in times of crisis. Participants will learn to be proactive in determining risk for collections, respectful of local context, and, after completing their training, ready to support measures to protect cultural heritage at their respective institutions and in their own communities. Please note, the HEART program does not accept applications from international professionals, Smithsonian Institution staff, and staff of FEMA.