The Era of Revitalization - Planning
Figure 2: Mayor Kevin White overlooking Faneuil Hall
This era illustrated the first stepping-stone of modernist planning in Boston. The reign of James Michael Curly came to an end with the election of Mayor Hynes in 1950.[1] Mayor Hynes focused upon a New Boston beginning with the heart of downtown. He established the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) to organize and initiate the city’s transformation. With the urban renewal and highway system projects, the Hynes administration planned a progressive downtown reconstruction. In 1960, continued effort led by Ed Logue, Mayor Collin’s powerful BRA director, completed the work that was commenced by the Hynes administration.[1] This program illustrated the most substantial urban renewal program in the United States – with the continual transformation of downtown and expansion into the communities and neighborhoods. Through this effort, a ten-year comprehensive plan was established, including new zoning ordinance and foundation of the first capital budget for the city.
The birth of participatory planning and public engagement were soon introduced due to the excessive modern professional planning. The fight against implementing the highway system project was the central focus among many community efforts during this era. To advocate affordable housing and uphold neighborhoods against infringing transportation highways and commercial projects, widespread movements and organizations formed throughout the South End, East Boston, Roxbury, and other portions of the neighborhood region.[1] As witnessed today, the standing developments of parks, homes, transit facilities, and schools once declared for demolition are living monuments to the achievement conducted by citizenship participatory in planning throughout this period.
With the new elected Mayor Kevin White in 1968, an optimistic leader implementing many positive changes to Boston. He reflected the campaign for returning the focus and empowerment among neighborhoods and the people and promoted the establishment for small city halls in communities, employed young faculty, and incorporated community organizations and local groups in the decision making process. [1] Mayor White’s direction shaped a public and private partnership which restored the historic Faneuil Hall into a thriving urbanized marketplace holding accountable for as many visitors and resident-goers as Disneyland, leading to the creation of an exquisite model in the revitalization of downtown imitated throughout the world.[2]
The era witnessed the first glance for modernist planning. Leaders promoted public participation to engage upon efforts for improving neighborhoods and communities. Advocates – such as Mayor Kevin White and the BRA – inspired hope for many families who felt left behind or forgotten after the abandoning of the city. New Boston reshaped the potential for change and progress for the heart of downtown Boston.
References:
1. Affordable housing. (2013). Retrieved from http://planningboston.org/planning/affordable-housing/
2. Melnik, M. (2011, November 29). Demographic and socio-economic trends in Boston: What we’ve learned from the latest census data. Retrieved from http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/pdf/ResearchPublications//BostonEconomyDemographics.pdf
The birth of participatory planning and public engagement were soon introduced due to the excessive modern professional planning. The fight against implementing the highway system project was the central focus among many community efforts during this era. To advocate affordable housing and uphold neighborhoods against infringing transportation highways and commercial projects, widespread movements and organizations formed throughout the South End, East Boston, Roxbury, and other portions of the neighborhood region.[1] As witnessed today, the standing developments of parks, homes, transit facilities, and schools once declared for demolition are living monuments to the achievement conducted by citizenship participatory in planning throughout this period.
With the new elected Mayor Kevin White in 1968, an optimistic leader implementing many positive changes to Boston. He reflected the campaign for returning the focus and empowerment among neighborhoods and the people and promoted the establishment for small city halls in communities, employed young faculty, and incorporated community organizations and local groups in the decision making process. [1] Mayor White’s direction shaped a public and private partnership which restored the historic Faneuil Hall into a thriving urbanized marketplace holding accountable for as many visitors and resident-goers as Disneyland, leading to the creation of an exquisite model in the revitalization of downtown imitated throughout the world.[2]
The era witnessed the first glance for modernist planning. Leaders promoted public participation to engage upon efforts for improving neighborhoods and communities. Advocates – such as Mayor Kevin White and the BRA – inspired hope for many families who felt left behind or forgotten after the abandoning of the city. New Boston reshaped the potential for change and progress for the heart of downtown Boston.
References:
1. Affordable housing. (2013). Retrieved from http://planningboston.org/planning/affordable-housing/
2. Melnik, M. (2011, November 29). Demographic and socio-economic trends in Boston: What we’ve learned from the latest census data. Retrieved from http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/pdf/ResearchPublications//BostonEconomyDemographics.pdf