The Urban Design (UD) Division is responsible for crafting and executing a beautiful, human-scale, and inclusive vision for the design of the built environment across Boston. The division champions the transformative power of sustainable, walkable communities that support social, mental, and physical health while improving resiliency and promoting equity. Every day, the multidisciplinary urban design team faces the challenge of acknowledging the City's historic fabric while integrating contemporary architecture and site design, be it a small porch addition in Roslindale or a downtown high rise. Staff work closely with the Planning & Zoning, Real Estate, and Development Review divisions. The UD Division also exists to ensure that the public realm, which includes streets, sidewalks, open spaces, and ground floors, is designed to work together to enrich public life and contribute to Boston's reputation as a walkable city.
Design
Design staff are responsible for working in close collaboration with the Planning & Zoning Division and across City cabinets to advance solutions that support better design outcomes for our communities. Areas of expertise include:
Design Review
Design Review staff includes architects, urban designers, and landscape architects who are responsible for guiding projects through the regulatory frameworks identified in our zoning code for design review. The team plays a crucial role in the development process by shaping projects through staff design review required through Article 80, Zoning Board of Appeal, and management of the Boston Civic Design Commission processes. The department also offers comprehensive sign review, providing small and large businesses the opportunity to work with Urban Design staff to tailor their specific business’s signage needs. Areas of expertise include:
As part of design review, the Urban Design Division provides landscape design review, which assists with site design, layout, grading and drainage, site accessibility, site access (in coordination with transportation planning), planting selections, site material selections, relevance of the proposed site design to the proposed building, and compliance with the Boston Complete Streets initiative.
The landscape architects on staff act as liaisons to the Public Improvement Commission (PIC), as well as other departments and commissions that are involved with open space and public realm design and review.
Staff
Diana Fernandez Bibeau, Deputy Chief of Urban Design
Meera Deean, Deputy Director for Design
Seth Riseman, Deputy Director for Design Review
For more information, please contact Diana Fernandez Bibeau, Deputy Chief of Urban Design.