CityOfBoston Official An official website of the City of Boston

This is the website for the City of Boston’s new Planning Department, which launched on July 1. The staff and many responsibilities of the Boston Planning & Development Agency have moved to the Planning Department of the City of Boston including planning & zoning, urban design, development review, and real estate divisions. Please excuse any misalignment you may see on our site as we transition to the City. Learn more

Communications

The Communications Division’s mission is to share accurate information about the Planning Department and its work through traditional media relations, social media, and community engagement. These responsibilities include responding to press and constituent inquiries, promoting Planning Department work, developing marketing materials, and building relationships with residents who want to learn more about the Planning Department or participate in our many engagement opportunities. The Communications Division maintains the @BostonPlans Instagram and Twitter accounts, other social media pages, and the News & Updates section of the website. The public can also subscribe to the Planning Department’s weekly newsletter to stay informed about and get engaged in processes related to planning, urban design, development, and real estate.

The Community Engagement Team is part of the Communications Division and furthers the Planning Department’s mission to create a community-led, planning-first vision for the City that supports growth reflecting the unique needs of each neighborhood. The community engagement managers (CEMs) are responsible for assisting staff members with the coordination of all outreach efforts related to the agency’s work throughout Boston’s neighborhoods. Community engagement managers support the three main pillars of community process: planning initiatives, Article 80 review, and disposition. CEMs are responsible for ensuring each external process actively reflects the community’s goals. CEMs support the Planning, Development Review, and Real Estate departments through designing and managing engagement strategies appropriate for each project or initiative.

Freedom of Information Act and Public Record Requests should be directed to the Executive Director/Secretary's Office.