A Civic Vision for Turnpike Air Rights
Boston Redevelopment Authority, Boston, MA
Reconnecting urban neighborhoods in the heart of Boston
The Massachusetts Turnpike has long served as a disruptive tear in Boston’s fabric. Goody Clancy developed an overarching vision for air-rights development within the corridor that would reknit the city fabric above the highway. Our team assessed the feasibility of various approaches and led an extensive process of public comment and review—including public meetings attended by more than 1,000 people—leading to a comprehensive framework of air rights development that continues to guide growth in the heart of Boston.
Universally supported in the community, the vision accomplishes the following:
- Establishes an overall city vision for development above the turnpike, which won support from activists, the city, and local press
- Embraces the unique characteristics and interests of each neighborhood through careful context-specific planning
- Reweaves large, unsightly, and neglected areas of Boston into the city fabric, providing a variety of uses and amenities for adjacent neighborhoods and for the entire city
