Greater Boston is one of the most beautiful urban areas in the world, with its rivers flowing into the Atlantic Ocean, its famous parks and numerous community-based gardens, small parks and other open spaces.  The revitalization of the seaport and waterfront areas—and the Harbor Islands—offers additional exciting opportunities for residents to explore and enjoy.

The Boston Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of the built and natural environment through public policy research and advocacy.  It also fosters the involvement and informed participation of residents, especially low-income families and individuals, in promoting environmental justice and assessing, planning and caring for the urban environment through public education and advocacy.  Over the years, the Foundation has supported the numerous nonprofit organizations that are working in close partnership with the public sector to maintain and improve Greater Boston’s urban environment.

Urban Environment Spotlight:

Beaches We Can Be Proud Of Report examines the condition of 14 area beaches and found a $3.2 million annual shortfall in beach maintenance and operating costs. Learn more »

Indicators-related research: October 08, 2009 Connect to the Boston Indicators Project's Energy and Environment sector for data, trends, research and resources October 08, 2009 Massachusetts Farmers Market Database August 31, 2009 Trust For Public Land 2009 City Park Facts		Selected grants: June 19, 2008 Historic Boston Incorporated December 18, 2008 A Better City December 18, 2008 Save the Harbor / Save the Bay
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Recent Urban Environment Reports:

Boston Bound: Home Field Disadvantage: Boston and Massachusetts Hamstrung by Limited Home Rule This report examines how the lack of fiscal autonomy for Massachusetts cities and towns limits their ability to manage in difficult times as well as in good times.  It does so by exploring the financial impact on the Cities of Boston and Denver of hosting the 2007 Major League Playoffs games. Read Report

Boston Bound The City of Boston today is so severely restrained by rules imposed by state government in earlier generations that it lacks the flexibility and authority it needs to compete effectively in the new global knowledge economy, and is not able to fully capitalize on the innovation that it is known for.    Read Report

Boston Unplugged Internet access is a critical tool for cities across the country and around the world that compete in the new economy driven by knowledge networks and information. Wireless technology is an affordable strategy to bridge the "digital divide" and pave the way for innovation and new tools that can strengthen education, enrich civic participation and nurture community networks. join us for an exciting look into the future of communications in Boston in the 21st century.     Read Report

Boston's Harbor and Waterfront: A Renaissance Underway Boston's Waterfront is undergoing a remarkable transformation, as new neighborhoods emerge on the Waterfront, with new parks and public spaces, civil and cultural institutions, new housing, hotels, office buildings, stores and new restaurants. Great things are happening on the Waterfront, and on the Harbor itself. Our beaches are cleaner, and our bays are healthier than they have been in our lifetime.    Read Report

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Urban Environment Forums:

Boston Bound: A Forum on Home Rule March 15, 2007 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Boston were represented by Lt. Governor Timothy Murray and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, respectively, for an important discussion about Home Rule at a spring Understanding Boston forum. The findings of a Boston Foundation report, titled Boston Bound, were presented by its authors, Harvard Law School professors Gerald E. Frug and David J. Barron.Visit the Boston Bound web special where you can view the entire report and download a PDF version of the executive summary.

Boston Bound: Time to Rethink Boston’s Legal Powers February 15, 2007 The City of Boston today is so severely restrained by rules imposed by state government that it lacks the flexibility and authority to compete sufficiently in the global knowledge economy. This is the primary conclusion of a major report released by the Boston Foundation on February 15th, titled Boston Bound: A Comparison of Boston’s Legal Powers with Those of Six Other Cities.

Wireless in Boston: Task Force Report Leads to Innovative WiFi Strategy for Boston July 31, 2006 On July 31st, Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced Boston’s plan to create a citywide wireless Internet network utilizing an innovative approach that was crafted by the Boston Wireless Task Force.

Engineering the Road Ahead: The Central Artery/Tunnel Project May 08, 2006 While much of the current dialogue about the Central Artery/Tunnel Project is focused on continuing construction problems, the Boston Foundation and the Boston Society of Civil Engineers decided to step back and take a broader view by cosponsoring a symposium called “Engineering the Road Ahead.” The symposium, held on May 8th at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, reviewed the long road to completion, including the many challenges encountered along the way, but it also explored what the completed project will mean for the people of Massachusetts and the region.

The Quality of Life in Our Neighborhoods: Successes and Challenges in Addressing Crime January 29, 2004 The Community Safety Forum SeriesThe Quality of Life in Our Neighborhoods: Successes and Challenges in Addressing CrimeThe Community Safety Forum Series explores a range of public safety issues, their impact on the community, public policy, and the potential for system change.

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