Planning Initiatives

The South Boston Waterfront Public Realm Plan was issued in 1999 by the Boston Redevelopment Authority as a framework for future waterfront development in the area. The Plan was developed to ensure that this emerging district will provide not only a place for business expansion and job opportunities, but also an accessible waterfront, an attractive open space network, active civic uses, new places to live, a strong urban design character and convenient system of public transit. The vision for the area is to create a 24-hour neighborhood with a mix of industrial, residential, commercial, civic and retail uses, which will build upon Boston’s character and utilize the area’s waterfront location. The Plan is the culmination of over two years of work and community meetings with community residents, planners, design professionals, environmentalists, harbor advocates, elected officials, concerned citizens and the urban design firm Cooper Robertson. The plan is now being implemented in a number of ways, including the submission of a Municipal Harbor Plan to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under the Chapter 91 Waterways program; the development of new, permanent zoning regulations; and the review of proposed development projects under the BRA’s development review procedures (Article 80).

1. Seaport Public Realm Plan