At a Glance

The neighborhood of Allston, located in northwest Boston, was annexed by the City in 1874. Once home to stockyards and rail yards, today's Allston is a bustling residential and commercial mix. 

Leafy side streets lined with wooden triple-decker houses are home to a diverse community, including longtime residents, students from nearby Boston University and Harvard, recent immigrants, and young professionals. The Charles River and Paul Dudley White Bicycle Path border the neighborhood to the north and east, offering recreational opportunities like canoeing, running, and biking. 

Commonwealth, Brighton, and Harvard Avenues feature hip bars and unique ethnic restaurants, creating hubs of activity throughout the community. Allston Village Main Streets supports business owners and nonprofits in the area. Harvard University, which owns more land in Boston than in Cambridge, is a major tenant of the neighborhood. Its business school and athletic facilities are based in Lower Allston. 

Community Engagement Managers

The Community Engagement Managers (CEM) of the Planning Department are responsible for assisting staff members with the coordination of all outreach in regard to planning initiatives and proposed development in Boston's neighborhoods. CEMs work to ensure each Planning Department external process actively reflects the community's goals, in addition to being the point of contact for constituent questions. Have questions about a certain project in your neighborhood? Feel free to reach out them:

For information about planning context, zoning, or Planning Department processes, please contact [email protected].