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BPDA announces improvements to agency’s Model Room tours

Oct 11, 2017

David Carlson and Corey Zehngebot conducted a tour of the BPDA's model room on September 5, hosting 70 students from Harvard Graduate School of Design. Professor Eric Höweler of Höweler + Yoon Architecture captured this photo of the group, one of the largest to visit the Model Room to date.

The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) today announced the relaunch of the agency’s popular Model Room tours. The relaunch includes new tour dates, an updated public interface, a revised and simplified registration process, and a dedicated webpage on the BPDA’s website.

Visitors to the BPDA Model Room will now be able to register for tours using Eventbrite. This new system will allow for multiple groups to visit during the same time depending on the size of their groups. In addition, this will allow for larger groups (15 or more) to easily make reservations for their tours.

The Model Room’s dedicated web page, available here, provides background on the Model Room as well as information on location and scheduling tours.

“Since announcing the launch of our Model Room tours at the beginning of 2017, we have hosted over 100 groups from all walks of life, including Boston Public Schools students, delegates from Singapore, and former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley,” said BPDA Director Brian Golden. “We look forward to this relaunch and hosting more visitors in what we believe to be an exciting and educational space.”

“My tour of the BPDA Model Room provided an incredibly unique view into the areas of Boston currently experiencing rapid redevelopment,” said Jamie Simchik, Principal at Simchik Planning & Development on his visit to the BPDA Model Room, “I expected to see a scale representation of the City, but was thrilled to have my tour guide provide context through great historical insight and current information on the planned improvements to Boston’s urban fabric. I wish I had more time and I will definitely be back!”

The BPDA's Model Room houses a 1:40 inch scale, physical, basswood model of Boston's downtown and portions of Beacon Hill, the North End, Charlestown, Back Bay and the South Boston Waterfront. The model allows the City's urban design and planning staff to study planning and development options within this area. The model was originally built in the 1980's and is kept current by BPDA staff.

Tours are available every Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. in two 30-minute sessions, for individuals or groups of up to 15 people. For groups larger than 15 people, please contact BPDA staff to arrange a tour.

Tours are conducted in the BPDA Model Room at Boston City Hall, One City Hall Square, on the ninth floor. Visitors will also receive detailed handouts with Model Room facts, figures, and history.

The BPDA will continue to provide tours to students, international delegations, and any other groups who request them outside these times.

To make a reservation for your tour, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/model-room-tours-sign-up-registration-35174564068.

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BPDA announces improvements to agency’s Model Room tours

Oct 11, 2017

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