Boston Mayor Michelle Wu gave her first State of the City address, announcing a series of reforms to advance growth and ensure that the community’s planning and development resources are directed toward addressing today’s greatest challenges, including climate resilience, equitable growth, and housing affordability.
Mayor Wu will establish a City Planning and Design Department operating under the direction of Chief of Planning Arthur Jemison and create a Citywide Planning Advisory Council to increase coordination between City departments. The Mayor also committed to updating Boston’s zoning code to create thousands of additional housing units in Boston’s squares and corridors and reform the Article 80 process to increase speed and predictability for development.
“As we look to the year ahead, our administration is focused on building a green and growing city for everyone,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Together, we can all build a Boston where the things we build inspire—but don’t define—us and where each generation shines brighter than the last.”
Watch Mayor Wu’s address here.