The evolution of planning in Boston has a long and complex history. In 1957 the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) was established by the Boston City Council and the Massachusetts Legislature. Its statutory authority was set forth in the Massachusetts General Laws chapter 121B, section 4. At that time the agency began overseeing development that was previously led by the Boston Housing Authority and its oversight was expanded to include development beyond public housing.

The agency's redevelopment stewardship includes the jurisdiction to buy and sell property, acquire property through eminent domain, and grant tax concession to encourage commercial and residential development under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 121A.

In 1960 by another act of the Massachusetts Legislature set forth in the Massachusetts General Laws chapter 652, section 12, the City Planning Board was merged with the BRA.

The Economic Development and Industrial Corporation (EDIC) was established by the Massachusetts Legislature and set forth in Chapter 1097 of the Acts of 1971. The EDIC is a quasi-public entity that leads local economic development activities at industrial and manufacturing properties in Boston, including the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park (formerly known as the Boston Marine Industrial Park) and Charlestown Navy Yard, in accordance with an economic development plan. The work is designed to increase employment, eliminate decadent and blighted open areas, attract new industry, expand existing industry, and create jobs and business opportunities.

The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) and the Economic Development and Industrial Corporation (EDIC) did business as a single citywide development agency beginning in 1993. They continue to maintain their separate functions as established by the Massachusetts Legislature.

In 2016, Mayor Martin J. Walsh rebranded the BRA and EDIC as one entity doing business as the BPDA. This effort included substantive public engagement to re-envision the agency’s identity, prioritizing transparency, livability, connection, and sustainability in planning for the future.

In 2024, Mayor Michelle Wu filed an ordinance with the Boston City Council to establish a Planning Department in the City of Boston for the first time in 70 years. The ordinance restored planning as a core function of City government, ensuring its inclusion in the City’s budget and City Council oversight, and allowed for the transfer of staff from the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) to the Planning Department.

Resources

• Boston City Council Ordinances
  • An Ordinance creating the Planning Department in the City of Boston—January 29, 2024
• Executive Orders Signed by Mayor Wu
  • An Executive Order Relative to Resiliency, Affordability and Equity in Planning and Development in the City of Boston—January 31, 2023
  • An Order Establishing the Boston Planning Advisory Council—January 26, 2023
• Home Rule Petition
  • An Act to Improve and Modernize Planning and Community Development in the City of Boston—January 30, 2023
• Press Releases
  • Mayor Wu announces members of steering committee to advise on reforms to Article 80 development review process—February 3, 2023
  • Mayor Wu submits Home Rule Petition to end Urban Renewal—January 30, 2023
  • In State of the City Address, Mayor Wu announces ambitious agenda for growth—January 26, 2023