Massachusetts UrbanRiver Visions Program
Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Thirteen Massachusetts Communities
Revitalizing community waterfronts and strengthening downtowns
The UrbanRiver Visions program was launched as a major initiative of the Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and resulted in the creation of community-based visions for waterfronts in 13 Massachusetts communities of varying size and character. The goal of this exciting program was to leverage the potential of urban riverfronts to be catalysts for local economic development and community enhancement. Goody Clancy led the initiative, working with community stakeholders, elected officials, governmental agencies, and advocacy groups to create vision plans that would be actionable through public, private, and grass-root community actions.
Key successes of the program include:
- Vision plans had significant and immediate impacts on participating communities, resulting in the creation of new public spaces and trails, waterfront amenities, and new community coalitions
- The planning effort galvanized public support and enthusiasm for waterfront initiatives that have been a source of inspiration, drawing new life to underappreciated community waterfronts
- The program has attracted widespread attention as a national model for creative community engagement and sharing of best practices
