[Re]-Constructions: Creating Collective Communal Spaces by Danyson Tavares

[Re]-Constructions: Creating Collective Communal Spaces “On Public Land for Public Good: Citywide Land Audit” Hilcias De La Cruz Daniel Caetano Reis Ryan Tupper

ARCHITECTURE 9000-06 WENTWORTH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY FALL 2023 | DANYSON FRAGOSO TAVARES Hilcias De La Cruz Daniel Caetano Reis Ryan Tupper

[BSArch 2023 | M.Arch Candidate, 2024] [BSArch 2023 | M.Arch Candidate, 2024] [BSArch 2023 | M.Arch Candidate, 2024]

Course Description

Contributors and Collaborators

The studio addresses research topics and sites from a global perspective. Students frame an issue within a faculty-directed research and design agenda. During a ten-day travel period, students conduct site research and engage with on-site organizations and/or communities. Upon, return, students generate design criteria and conduct design tests through an iterative process.

This work is an extension of meaningful community work we embarked on in the Spring of 2023 and serves as a catalyst towards community led activation of public spaces. The work produced in this Studio would not have been possible without the engaging dialogue, collaborative efforts and guidance by the people listed below.

Disclaimer This publication is solely intended for research purposes only - but we do believe architects, planners, and designers should participate in the activation of public spaces for public good. We encourage you to participate; co-opt the work, disagree with us, suggest ideas, draw ideas out, engage in conversation and enjoy the work!

VACANCY

[Re]-Constructions: Creating Collective Communal Spaces

“On Public Land for Public Good: Citywide Land Audit”

Introduction

Learning from Chicago

Research

Essay Vacancy: A by-product of Racially Motivated Urban Planning. Danyson Tavares

Essay Destruction of Communal Spaces: Urban Renewal’s attack on people and cities. Hilcias De La Cruz

Transcribed Interview In Conversation with James Baldwin Jr. Interview by Dr. Kenneth Clark

Case Study Regenerative Neighborhood At the Sweetwater Foundation’s The Commonwealth Daniel Reis

Narrative Public Land for Public Good: Citywide Land Audit [2022 Report by City of Boston] Ryan Tupper

ARCHITECTURE 9000-06 WENTWORTH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY FALL 2023 | DANYSON FRAGOSO TAVARES Hilcias De La Cruz Daniel Caetano Reis Ryan Tupper

[BSArch 2023 | M.Arch Candidate, 2024] [BSArch 2023 | M.Arch Candidate, 2024] [BSArch 2023 | M.Arch Candidate, 2024]

Methods

Outcomes

Resources & References

Design Framework Intimate and Open Spaces: A Space for Collective Retreats. Hilcias De La Cruz

Design Framework Collective Frameworks: A Space for Communal Activities. Hilcias De La Cruz

Design Framework Urban Ecology: A Collective Communal Space for Growing and Gathering Around Food. Ryan Tupper

Design Outcome Temporary and Ephemeral Structures for Community Activation Danyson Tavares

Reference Odd Lots? Re-Visiting Gordon-Matta Clark’s “Fake Estate” Danyson Tavares

Resources & References

INTRODUCTION

Introduction

Vacancy: A by-product of racially motivated urban planning. Danyson Tavares | Adjunct Faculty Wentworth Institute of Technology

In Richard Rothstein's Color of Law, he states that “Today’s residential segregation in the North, South, Midwest, and West is not the unintended consequence of individual choices and of otherwise well-meaning law or regulation but of unhidden public policy that explicitly segregated every metropolitan area in the United States.” This is a direct correlation to a series of “Residential Security” maps of major American cities that were created by a federal agency known by as the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) nearly eighty years ago. The maps produced documented how real estate professionals, appraisers and loan ofﬁcers evaluated mortgage lending risk during the era immediately before the surge of suburbanization in the 1950’s. Neighborhoods considered high risk, or “Hazardous” were often “redlined” by lending institutions, denying them access to capital investment which could improve the housing and economic opportunity of residents. These destructive and deliberately segregative forces

led to chronic urban problems and consequently resulted in lasting negative effects on its residents and its infrastructure. Today, many of these affected communities are faced with the task of reconstructing their neighborhoods to build a sustainable future. We have witnessed this reclamation manifest within various communities’ ideas such as: establishing community gardens, creating an empowered workforce, offering access to affordable childcare, turning vacant lots and abandoned homes into re-imagined spaces, and investing in community land trusts. Within this context contemporary reconstruction movements are critical to the revitalization of communities of color and must be studied by architects, planners, and designers to comprehend how to engage with communities actively rebuilding. This history of US cities and its various neighborhoods raises important questions about the role of architects and designers in the construction of community, as well as in their suppression and colonization. Cities must focus

on the articulation, legibility of urban spaces in communities and the reconstruction of communities disproportionately affected by what is commonly described as “urban blight.”. The work produced is meant to test the capacity of architectural and urban transformation through spatial activism to [create collective spaces in communities]. Notes All evidence for this introduction can be found in the following sources: Home Owners' Loan Corporation, and George F. Cram Company. "Residential security map of Boston, Mass." Map. Washington, D.C.: Home Owners' Loan Corporation, 1938. Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center Rothstein, Richard. "The color of law : a forgotten history of how our government segregated America." New York: Liveright Publishing Corporation, 2017.

PUBLIC LAND PUBLIC GOOD

Figures 1. Roxbury/Dorchester Community Beautification Program project site before clean-up. (1966) 2. John Rotch stands in Franklin Field (1935-1945) 3. Unidentified woman poses in unknown park. (1935-1945) 4. Harold and Holworth Streets, Roxbury, showing construction materials dump site. (1970) 5. Comins Terrace, Roxbury, showing trash in foreground (1969) 6. Youth carrying garden tools, local leadership lead beautification project within Roxbury. (1966) 7. Youth playing in Orchard Park. (1968) Images courtesy of the Northeastern University Library Digital Repository Service.

INTRODUCTION

PUBLIC LAND PUBLIC GOOD

Transcribed Interview

In conversation with James Baldwin Jr.

Interview by Dr. Kenneth Clark (1963) 8

INTRODUCTION

In a career that spanned half a century, Dr. Kenneth B. Clark was one of America’s most inﬂuential psychologists of the 20th century. He was a pioneer of the civil rights movement and will be forever remembered as the “doll man” for studies he and wife Dr. Mamie Clark conducted on the psychological consequences of racial segregation on African American children.

Kenneth Clark One of the signiﬁcant things about the present revolution of the Negro people in America, is maybe the fact that for the ﬁrst time there is genuine communication between negros and whites. Negroes are saying out loud now things which they have long said only to themselves. (Rustling sound) Probably one of the most articulate, passionate, and clear communicators to the American conscience, is my guest, James Baldwin. James Baldwin's name is known throughout America for saying so passionately, and so clearly, and with such grace and style, what every negro has long known and has long felt. Welcome, James, it's good to have this opportunity to talk with you, and to have you share with us some of your present feelings about our country, America. But before we get into the issues of the day. I'd like to know a little more about you, I've read practically everything that you have written, but I still would like to know something about you, the young man growing up in Harlem.

What schools you went to; maybe a little about some of the teachers that you might've come in contact with in Harlem? James Baldwin What a funny question. My mind is someplace else, really. But to think back on it, I was born in Harlem Hospital, you know, and we grew up-. The first house I remember was on Park Avenue which is not the American Park Avenue, or maybe it is the American Park Avenue. Uptown Park Avenue. Uptown Park Avenue where the railroad tracks are. (Pause) We used to play on the roof and in the, I can't call it an alley, but, near the river. It was a kind of dump, garbage dump. That was the first- those were first scenes I remember. I remember my father had trouble keeping us alive. There were nine of us and um, I was the oldest, so I took care of the kids, and dealt with daddy. Might I say, he's much better now. Part of his problem

A conversation with James Baldwin by Kenneth B. Clark WGBH Boston, Massachusetts June 24, 1963 Length: 00:24:59

was, he couldn't feed his kids. But I was a kid, and I didn't know that. And he was very religious, very rigid . He kept us together, I must say. And when I look back on it , after what was nearly 40 years ago that I was born, I think back on my growing up and walk that same block today because it's still there,and think of the kids on that block now. I'm aware that something terrible has happened, which is very hard to describe. I am in all but no technical legal fact- my father was born in the south- no, my mother was born in the south. And if they had waited two more seconds I might have been born in the south. That means I was raised by family whose roots were essentially rural andSouthern rural. Southern rural, and whose relationship to the church was very direct because it was the only means they had of expressing their pain and their despair. But 20 years later the moral authority, which was present in the Negro Northern community when I was growing up, has vanished. And people talk about progress, and I look at Harlem, which I really know. I know it like I know hand. And it is much worse there today than PUBLIC LAND PUBLIC GOOD

it was when I was growing up.

Kenneth Clark Would you say this is true of the schools, too? James Baldwin It's much worse in the schools. What school did you go to? I went to P.S. 24 and went to P.S. 139.

Kenneth Clark We are fellow alumni, I went to 139. James Baldwin I didn't like a lot of my teachers, but I had a couple of teachers who were very nice to me. One was a Negro teacher and I remember, [stutters]... You asked me these questions, and I'm trying to answer you. I remember coming home from school and [stutters] guess how young I must have been, and my mother asked me if my teacher was colored or white. And I said she was a little bit colored, a little bit white because she was about your color. And as a matter of fact, I was right. That's part of the dilemma of being an American Negro. That one is, a little bit colored and a little bit white. And not only in terms, in physical terms, but in the head and in the heart. And there are days, this is one of them, when you wonder, What your role is in this country and what your future is in it. How 10

INTRODUCTION

precise are you going to reconcile [pause] yourself to your situation here? And how you're going to communicate to the vast, heedless, unthinking [silence] cruel white majority that you are here. And to be here means you that can't be anywhere else. I could, my own person, leave this country, and I could go to Africa. I could go to China. I could go to Russia. I could go to Cuba. But I'm an American. That is a fact.

Kenneth Clark Yes,um, Jim. James Baldwin Am I going ahead?

Kenneth Clark This is certainly some of the things that we're after but as I read your writing and know that you came out of P.S. 24 and my alma mater in your high school 139, I see that no one could write with the feeling and with the skill with which you write if you did not get in P.S. 24 and 139. A certain type of education. Now, I'd like to go back to the point that you made that the Harlem that you knew when you were growing up is not the Harlem now. And see if we can relate this to the school.

James Baldwin Let's see if we can [silence] It was probably very important for me. I haven't thought of this for a long time so. It was really that important to me, that at that point I was going to P.S. 24, the only Negro school principal, as far as I know, in the entire history of New York, was the principal, was a woman named Mrs. Air. And she liked me And, um, in a way I guess she proved to met that I could... um, that I didn't have to be entirely deﬁned by my circumstances because you know that every Negro child knows what his circumstances are, though he can't articulate them. Because he's brought under a public which shows him, in as many ways as it knows how, and it's got great force, that he has a certain place and he can never rise above it. And, what has happened in arlem since is that generation has passed away.

Kenneth Clark Mrs. Air, she was sort of a model, in a sense, no? James Baldwin She was a proof that I was not necessarily what the country said I was.

Kenneth Clark And it is signiﬁcant, Jim, that we do not have a single negro principal in the New York Public School system today.

James Baldwin And it is not because there ain't nobody around who can do it. You know. Once involved in a very curious, and a very serious battle, The great victims in this country of the institution called segregation, which is not a Southern custom, which has been for a hundred years a national way of life. The great victims are the white people. The white man's children. Lorraine Hansberry said this afternoon, we were talking about the problem of being a concerned, really, about Negro manhood, since they had managed to do and to endure and to even transcend some fantastic things. But she was very worried about a civilization which could produce those five policeman standing on the Negro woman's neck. In Birmingham, or wherever it was. And I am too. I'm terrified At the moral apathy. The death of the heart. Which is happening in my country. These people had convinced themselves for so long that they really don't think I'm human. I had braces on their conduct not on what they say. And this means that they have become, themselves, moral monsters. concerned, really, about Negro manhood, since they had managed to do and to endure and to even transcend some fantastic things. But she was very worried about a civilization which could produce those five policeman standing on the Negro woman's neck. In Birmingham, or wherever it was. And I am too. I'm terrified at the moral apathy. The death of the heart. Which is happening in my country. These people had

convinced themselves for so long that they really don't think I'm human. I had braces on their conduct not on what they say. And this means that they have become, themselves, moral monsters.

Kenneth Clark Well Jim, I can say.

Birmingham, as you so eloquently pointed out. What do you think can be done...to change...to use your term, the moral ﬁber of America? James Baldwin

James Baldwin

I think that one who's got to ﬁnd some way of putting the present administration of this country on the spot. One has got to force somehow, from Washington, a moral commitment. Not to the negro people. But to the life of this country. It doesn't matter any longer. And I'm speaking for myself, Jimmy Baldwin. And I think I speak for a great many other negroes too. It doesn't matter any longer what you do to me. You can put me in jail. You can kill me. By the time I was I was 17, you have done everything that you could do to me. The problem now is - how are you going to save yourselves? It was a great shock to me... I want to say this on the air, The attorney general did not know.

In a free country.

Kenneth Clark

You mean the attorney general of the United States?

James Baldwin It’s a terrible indictment. I mean every word I say.

Kenneth Clark Well. We are confronted with the racial confrontation in America today, I think. The pictures of dogs In the hands of human beings attacking other human beings.

In a free country.

James Baldwin In the middle of the 20th century.

Kenneth Clark This Birmingham... It's clearly not restricted to

James Baldwin Yes. Mr. Robert Kennedy. Didn't know [inhale] That I would have trouble convincing my nephew to go to Cuba, for example, To liberate the Cubans in defense of a government which now says it PUBLIC LAND PUBLIC GOOD

“They were tearing down his house because San Francisco is engaging as most Northern cities are engaged in something called urban renewal which means moving the Negroes out. It means negro removal. And the federal government is an accomplice to this fact. Now this, we’re talking about human beings: there’s not such a thing as a monolithic wall, or you know some abstraction called a “Negro Problem.” - James Baldwin

is done, is doing everything it can do. But you cannot liberate me. Now there are 20 million people in this country, and you can't put them all in jail. I know how my nephew feels, and how I feel, and the cats in the barbershop feels. A boy last week, he was 16 in San Francisco told me on television, thank God we got him to talk. Maybe somebody else ought to listen. which now says it is done, is doing everything it can do. But you cannot liberate me. Now there are 20 million people in this country, and you can't put them all in jail. I know how my nephew feels, and how I feel, and the cats in the barbershop feels. A boy last week, he was 16 in San Francisco told me on television, thank God we got him to talk. Maybe somebody else ought to listen. He said, "I got no country, I've got no ﬂag." Man he's only 16 years old. And I couldn't say you do. I don't have any evidence to prove that he does. They were tearing down his house because San Francisco is engaging as most northern cities are engaged in something called urban renewal, which means moving the Negroes out. Gettin-, it means negro removal; 12

INTRODUCTION

that is what it means. And the federal government is an accomplice to this fact. Now this, we're talking about human beings: there's not such a thing as a monolithic wall, or you know, some abstraction called a "Negro Problem." These are Negro boys and girls who at 16 and 17 don't believe the country means anything that it says and don't feel they have any place here. On the basis of the performance of the entire country. [Transcript ends here at 14:10] Notes Full video and transcript can be found at American Archive of Public Broadcasting, a collaboration between the Library of Congress and GBH.

Figures Figure to the right is a composite image showing some of the many homes and blocks by San Francisco’s urban renewal program that devastated Black neighborhoods in the 1960s and 1970s. (Courtesy of San Francisco Public Library)

PUBLIC LAND PUBLIC GOOD

LEARNING FROM CHICAGO

Essay

Destruction of Communal Spaces: Urban renewal’s attack on people and cities. Hilicias De La Cruz | M.Arch Candidate 2024 Wentworth Institute of Technology

Urban renewal, often hailed as a path to progress and modernization, has had a profound and devastating impact on communal spaces in cities. In Jane Jacobs' seminal work, "The Death and Life of Great American Cities," she offers a compelling critique of urban renewal and its adverse effects on communal spaces and cities. Jacobs begins her exploration by emphasizing the pivotal role that vibrant communal spaces play in shaping the identity and vitality of a city. She argues that these spaces are essential for fostering social interaction, diversity, and a sense of community, asserting that "Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody." This assertion underscores the importance of inclusivity and community engagement in shaping urban environments. One of the most devastating consequences of urban renewal, as highlighted by Jacobs, was the displacement of established communities. She contends that "replacement of old buildings now carries no shame.

“The city is not only replacing architecture but also its people." This process resulted in the eviction of low-income residents, predominantly people of color, who were forced out of their homes and communities to make way for ambitious redevelopment projects. In doing so, urban renewal not only disrupted the social fabric but also exacerbated racial and economic inequalities, tearing apart the very communities it claimed to improve. Moreover, Jacobs criticizes the characterless nature of the new developments that replaced demolished neighborhoods. She argues that these housing projects and expressways, designed by architects and planners without a deep understanding of the communities they were impacting, lacked the essential ingredients of lively urban spaces. Jacobs contends that "designing a dream city from scratch is an admirable if not a very practical pastime," emphasizing the importance of organic growth and the evolution of neighborhoods over time. The homogenous, sterile environments that often

emerged from urban renewal efforts failed to capture the unique vibrancy and spontaneity of communal spaces, robbing cities of their soul. Central to Jacobs' argument is her concept of the "sidewalk ballet," which she describes as the intricate dance of everyday life on city streets. This ballet results from the rich diversity and spontaneity of communal spaces, where diverse individuals and activities intermingle to create a dynamic and vibrant urban experience. Jacobs laments the loss of the sidewalk ballet, stating, "To see the sidewalk as an arena of people is to misunderstand its uses." Urban renewal's tendency to replace these vital spaces with sterile, unengaging environments undermined the very essence of urban life that Jacobs held dear. In stark contrast to the misguided policies of urban renewal, Jacobs advocates for a more nuanced approach to urban planning that celebrates existing communities and their organic development. She champions the idea of preserving and revitalizing historic neighborhoods rather than PUBLIC LAND PUBLIC GOOD

“Planners, architects of city design, and those they have led along with them in their beliefs are not consciously disdainful of the importance of knowing how things work. On the contrary, they have gone to great pains to learn what saints and sages of modern orthodox planning have said about how cities ought to work and what ought to be good for people and business in them. They take this with such devotion that when contradictory reality intrudes, threatening to shatter their dearly won learning, they must shrug reality aside.” - Jane Jacobs

bulldozing them in the name of progress. Jacobs argues that "cities need old buildings so badly it is probably impossible for vigorous streets and districts to grow without them." She recognizes the value of architectural diversity in creating a unique sense of place and fostering a deep connection between residents and their environment. Jacobs' work serves as a stark reminder of the enduring importance of communal spaces in shaping the identity and vitality of our cities. It underscores how urban renewal initiatives have, in essence, launched an attack on both the people who rely on these spaces for their daily lives and the cities themselves. Her words resonate as a clarion call, urging us to halt the destruction of these vital areas and commit to fostering urban environments that are dynamic, inclusive, and vibrant, where people and cities can thrive together in harmony. In the face of urban renewal's historical missteps, Jacobs' insights stand as an enduring beacon guiding us toward a more holistic and humane approach to urban development. 16

LEARNING FROM CHICAGO

Notes All Evidence for this essay can be found in the book “The Death And Life Of Great American Cities” By Jane Jacobs.

Figure Figure to the right shows a group of people watching the demolition of the Mecca Flats, Chicago. (Photograph by Bernice R. Davis, Chicago History Museum.)

PUBLIC LAND PUBLIC GOOD

Case Study

Wellness Wednesday at the Sweetwater Foundation’s The Commonwealth

Site Visit September 20, 2023 18

LEARNING FROM CHICAGO

In the City of Chicago, much like other Rust Belt cities across the nation, it has become evident that the spatial organization of marginalization is one of the most dangerous forms of explicit racial oppression. The Commonwealth is located in a neighborhood at the nexus of the Englewood and Washington Park communities on Chicago’s South side, two communities devastated by decades of redlining, disinvestment, and neglect.

Case Study

Introduction

Philosophy Behind the Work

Chicago, a city renowned for its architectural beauty and vibrant culture, faces a signiﬁcant challenge: urban vacancy. This problem of vacant spaces in Chicago, delves into the innovative solution of Regenerative Neighborhood Development (RND), examines the philosophy underpinning this approach, and highlights the Sweet Water Foundation as a prime example of RND in action. Vacancy in Chicago The urban environment of Chicago is characterized by the presence of vacant lots and abandoned buildings, an issue that has endured for a long period of time. The presence of vacant spaces not only detracts from the visual appeal of an area, but also gives rise to a range of social and economic challenges. Frequently, these areas tend to serve as focal points for criminal activities, result in diminished property values, and foster a perception of disregard and deterioration. The issue at hand is especially severe in certain localities,

where the recurring decline in population has left lasting negative impacts on the social fabric of the community. Regenerative Neighborhood Development (RND) Regenerative Neighborhood Development has emerged as a promising solution to address this issue. In contrast to conventional urban development approaches that prioritize extensive projects and external financial contributions, RND places emphasis on local engagement and the promotion of sustainable growth. The objective of this initiative is to rejuvenate localities by converting unoccupied areas into dynamic, community oriented spaces that cater to the requirements and embody the cultural identity of the inhabitants. The comprehensive methodology, encompassing both physical revitalization and socio-economic considerations, seeks to establish self-sufficient communities that flourish autonomously. This method is deeply rooted in a philosophy that seeks to engage with the inhabitants of a community.

Regenerative Neighborhood Development at The Commonwealth Daniel Reis | MArch 24’ Wentworth Institute of Technology

The philosophy of RND is founded upon the principles of sustainability, community empowerment, and social justice. The perspective considers neighborhoods as ecological systems in which each component is interdependent. This philosophical perspective promotes a grassroots approach to urban development, wherein residents are not merely recipients but actively engaged participants in the planning and execution of initiatives. The approach underscores the utilization of indigenous resources, both in terms of materials and human capital. The concept of 'placemaking' is advocated, which entails the creation of spaces that possess distinct characteristics and cultivate a sense of attachment among individuals within a community. The Sweet Water Foundation The Sweet Water Foundation demonstrates the principles of RND in action. Located in Chicago, this organization has transformed vacant lots into PUBLIC LAND PUBLIC GOOD

“The city does not consist in the mere accumulation of individual buildings or the streets that connect them, but in the symbiotic relationships between people, the environmental context they inhabit, and the social and economic interactions that bind them together. A city is more than a place in space, it is a drama in time.” - Lewis Mumford

productive community assets. One of their notable projects is the Perry Ave Commons. This formerly abandoned space now includes a community garden, a workshop for carpentry and other crafts, and an area for community gatherings and educational programs. The Sweet Water Foundation employs a hands-on approach, involving residents in every process step, from planning to construction to maintenance. This helps build practical skills among community members and fosters a sense of ownership and pride in the neighborhood.

This approach effectively tackles the pressing problem of urban decay and signiﬁcantly contributes to the long-term well-being and sustainability of neighborhoods. In light of shared challenges faced by cities globally, the insights gleaned from Chicago's encounter with RND and the Sweet Water Foundation possess the potential to offer a signiﬁcant blueprint for urban revitalization.

The issue of urban vacancy in Chicago poses a substantial challenge, however, the implementation of Regenerative Neighborhood Development, as demonstrated by the Sweet Water Foundation, presents a promising solution. Through a deliberate emphasis on local engagement, sustainability practices, and comprehensive development, the organization known as RND possesses the capacity to effectuate a profound metamorphosis of unoccupied areas into vibrant ﬂourishing centers of community activity.

Figure

LEARNING FROM CHICAGO

Notes All Evidence for this essay can be found on Sweet Water Foundation’s website.

The photos following this page are photos taking at SWF’s the Commonwealth in September of 2023. Buildings and public spaces are designed and planned to create a collective communal spaces in the Englewood and Washington Park area of Chicago, Illinois.

(Photo Credits) Sweet Water Foundation

PUBLIC LAND PUBLIC GOOD

LEARNING FROM CHICAGO

PUBLIC LAND PUBLIC GOOD

LEARNING FROM CHICAGO

PUBLIC LAND PUBLIC GOOD

RESEARCH METHODS OUTCOMES

Research Narrative

Public Land for Public Good: Citywide Land Audit [2022 Report by City of Boston] Ryan Tupper | M.Arch Candidate 2024 Wentworth Institute of Technology

The City of Boston stands as one of the largest real estate owners in the region, wielding a considerable influence over the lives of its residents through its extensive portfolio of public property. With over 177 million square feet of land under its control, the city, in collaboration with affiliated municipal agencies, has dedicated the majority of these holdings to productive, community-oriented purposes such as public schools, community centers, libraries, and public safety buildings. However, amidst these thriving spaces lies a noteworthy opportunity for further community impact. A substantial portion of the city's property, acquired through tax foreclosure, urban renewal, or highway takings, remains vacant or underutilized, presenting an untapped resource with immense potential for transformative community development. Regrettably, some of these parcels, acquired with promises of catalyzing community change, have languished unfulfilled for decades. In June 2022, the Wu Administration announced a

groundbreaking initiative—the release of the "Public Land for Public Good: Citywide Land Audit." This comprehensive effort aims to inventory all city-owned property, meticulously identify vacant and underutilized areas, and accelerate initiatives to harness this real estate for the betterment of Boston's communities. As part of the process the City’s land audit team employed a meticulous approach, gathering data from diverse sources to compile a comprehensive list of City-owned land parcels and buildings. Key sources included the Assessing Department property database, the Ofﬁce of Budget Management’s list of City-owned facilities, and datasets managed by individual departments. Engaging directly with each department responsible for property care and custody ensured data accuracy and completeness. The resulting comprehensive dataset will guide strategic decision-making for the repurposing of City-owned land to beneﬁt Boston's communities. The study focuses on vacant and

underutilized parcels in the City. The assessment of vacant and underutilized parcels reveals a concentrated presence within the Mayor’s Office of Housing and the BPDA. Specifically, the Mayor’s Office of Housing oversees 921 vacant parcels, while the BPDA manages 176. In contrast, the majority of land under the care of other departments is actively utilized for municipal purposes. Notably, the identified vacant or underutilized parcels are well-suited for small infill housing developments. However, their size makes them less suitable for large multifamily or mixed-use projects, with 75% of these parcels measuring 5,000 square feet or less. This distribution emphasizes the potential for targeted development strategies that align with the scale of these parcels. As discussions around infill housing development opportunities unfold, the focus will likely be on maximizing the potential of these smaller parcels. This nuanced understanding of parcel sizes provides a foundation for strategic planning, ensuring that PUBLIC LAND PUBLIC GOOD

development efforts align with the specific characteristics of the available land. The apparent concentration of these opportunities within key departments also highlights the potential for coordinated efforts to address housing needs in a targeted and efficient manner. The thorough analysis of the 1,238 vacant or underutilized parcels involved a meticulous segmentation into the following categories: Active Ongoing Project Approximately 28% of the vacant or underutilized parcels, totaling 345 sites and covering 2.9 million square feet, are actively undergoing disposition for future reuse. Each parcel in this category is part of a dynamic process involving substantial community planning and visioning. The development stages range from initial community input to imminent construction. There is a high likelihood that most properties in this category will successfully complete the disposition process, given the ongoing community support and engagement observed. Identified Potential Future Projects Forty-two percent (526 sites) of 28

RESEARCH

vacant or underutilized parcels, covering 4.3 million square feet, are in the pipeline for future disposition. The respective departments have initiated planning, envisioning potential uses like housing development and permanent open space. While these properties haven't entered active redevelopment, they present a signiﬁcant opportunity to advance Mayor Wu’s policy goals, suggesting potential prioritization for impactful city-wide objectives. No Plan-Low Opportunity Twenty-one percent, or 261 sites, of vacant or underutilized parcels totaling 0.7 million square feet fall into the "No Plan - Low Opportunity" category. These properties present minimal prospects for development or community use and are not recommended for further consideration in advancing community-oriented development. The challenges associated with this category include small size or awkward dimensions that hinder productive use. In certain instances, these parcels may only hold value for immediate

abutters and could potentially be transferred to them through an open and transparent sale process. No Plan-High Opportunity Nine percent, comprising 106 sites or 1.7 million square feet, of vacant or underutilized parcels fall into the "No Plan - High Opportunity" category. These properties present a substantial potential for redevelopment, and importantly, they are not currently in the pipeline of an existing process. Recognizing their high opportunity, these parcels emerge as key candidates for future redevelopment initiatives. The report signiﬁes the starting point of an ambitious endeavor to address historical challenges and capitalize on opportunities presented by unused public land. This process should engage communities directly to ensure that their unique needs and priorities play a central role in shaping the ultimate use of public land.

PUBLIC LAND FOR PUBLIC GOOD | NO PLAN AND HIGH OPPORTUNITY The 2022 City of Boston, Public Land for Public Good: Citywide Land Audit serves as a comprehensive overview, revealing the scale and diversity of the City's real estate portfolio. With 1,238 parcels totaling 9.5 million square feet identiﬁed as vacant or underutilized, there is an evident opportunity to transform these spaces into assets that contribute positively to the community.

LAND AUDIT SUMMARY

To capitalize on this potential, the City could consider initiatives such as community development projects, affordable housing programs, green spaces, or economic development ventures. Engaging with local communities, stakeholders, and developers could further enhance the effectiveness of these initiatives, ensuring they align with the needs and aspirations of Bostonians. By strategically repurposing public land, the City has the chance to fulfill promises for transformative community development, addressing specific needs and enhancing the overall quality of life for its residents. This could lead to a more vibrant and sustainable urban environment, fostering social, economic, and environmental benefits for the community as a whole.

VACANT OR UNDERUTILIZED PARCELS

106 NO PLANNED PROJECT / HIGH OPPORTUNITY SITES NEIGHBORHOODS TOTAL LOTS & SQUARE FOOTAGE

# of Lots

SQ. FT.

Project Status

526

4,266,054 SF

Identiﬁed Potential Future Project

345

2,893,460 SF

Active Ongoing Project

261

671,560 SF

No Planned Project Low Opportunity

106

1,672,000 SF

No Planned Project High Opportunity

Neighborhood

# of lots

total of sq ft

Dorchester

24 | 106

180,926

Roxbury

23 | 106

233,282

South Boston

12 | 106

27,949

Jamaica Plain

12 | 106

134,963

Boston

9 | 106

315,366

Charlestown

7 | 106

82,463

Mattapan

5 | 106

301,258

Hyde Park

4 | 106

61,422

East Boston

4 | 106

16,887

Roslindale

3 | 106

62,725

West Roxbury

2 | 106

47,156

Allston

1 | 106

24,750

Brighton

1 | 106

16,887

Total

106

1,672,000 SF

PUBLIC LAND PUBLIC GOOD

CITY OF BOSTON 106 NO PLAN LOW OPPORTUNITY SITES

LEARNING FROM CHICAGO

CITY OF BOSTON HOME OWNERS LOAN CORPORATION MAP 1938

FIRST GRADE “BEST” SECOND GRADE “STILL DESIRABLE” THIRD GRADE “DECLINING” FOURTH GRADE “HAZARDOUS” PUBLIC LAND PUBLIC GOOD

CITY OF BOSTON PARCEL PRIORITY PLAN HEAT & CLIMATE MAP

COOLER

28 32

RESEARCH FROM CHICAGO LEARNING

HOTTER

CITY OF BOSTON PARCEL PRIORITY ZONES

PRIORITY ZONES OPEN SPACE

PUBLIC LAND PUBLIC GOOD