urban development can occur in the center of a city by
was a decision by Guilford Transportation Industries
advocating ideas of compact neighborhoods, transit-
that led to many sustainable results. Not only did it
oriented development, pedestrian and bicycle use, and
provide a site for urban expansion without rural sprawl,
environmental qualities. It is a new way of planning that
it also allowed for the project to be walking distance to
challenges past planning strategies which encouraged
commercial areas of Boston and Cambridge. The site,
detached houses and automobile use that resulted
located in three cities, increases its possibility of being
in urban sprawl, traffic congestion, disconnected
very connected to the outside communities. Bridges over
neighborhoods, and urban decay. Creating a master
the major highways will act as physical connectors.
plan that combined a place to work, play, live, and visit was integral to NorthPoint’s vision. The site, surrounded
The
design
guidelines
incorporated
mixed
use
on all sides by multiple transportation choices, such
development, affordable housing and market rate
as MBTA transit stops and major highways, enhanced
units with a variety of housing types, inclusion of parks
the goal. Rather than deciding on a specific building
and recreation areas, and limited surface parking into
or use, the team’s solution was to organize open space
the plan. It is projected to have 2,700 residences, an
and an internal public realm to create convenience and
estimated 2.2 million square feet of office, lab, and retail
connectivity at a local and regional level to surrounding
space, and a 10 acre park centering the 45 acre site.
communities and cities. The focus was to avoid being
Like a city within a city, the tight city block structure and
an internal community by bringing presence onto the
street layout form a compact neighborhood that creates
street. There were many factors during the process that
a pedestrian friendly community that also reduces
produced opportunities for smart growth.
vehicular traffic. The ten acres dedicated to park land tie together the city blocks while also linking bicycle paths
Following sustainable
smart
growth
actions
principles
through
redevelopment strategies.
zoning
can
promote
policies
and
Haley & Aldrich assisted
the client with these sustainable solutions to help in the planning, permitting, regulatory compliance, design and construction of the buildings, infrastructure and other facilities.
to the adjacent cities.
CBT Case Study 39
Reclaiming the Brownfields rail yard site for NorthPoint
Designing The Master Plan
Smart Growth The theory of smart growth is that