• Vision
• Goals & Objectives

Throughout Metro Boston, individuals and families would find more places where they feel good about living and raising a family. All communities will be safe, including areas currently afflicted by high rates of crime. Increased policing, more programs for at-risk youth, and CORI reform would help to reduce crime and recidivism. Crime rates would decline most in cities where they are now worst, and residents will have better access to information about crime patterns. Families will also be safer from environmental threats such as pollution, contamination, or traffic. In particular, urban and minority residents will not be disproportionately exposed to pollutants and poor air quality. An increasing number of urban trees will reinforce the region’s character while helping to improve air quality and quality of life, while mitigating noise and heat.

Across the region, compact growth will be paired with new compact parks and open spaces, strategically located to serve the entire community. Residents of compact new growth might not have large yards, but they will live near safe, inviting spaces where kids and adults socialize and exercise. All neighborhoods will have access to safe and well-maintained parks, community gardens, and appropriate play spaces for children and youth. Along with ballfields and playgrounds, they’ll find tot lots, greenways, riverwalks, green alleys, urban orchards, and community gardens.

The growth of urban agriculture will be one element of a healthy regional food system that brings local agriculture, fresh produce, and nutritious meals to school cafeterias, corner stores, and dinner tables.  Residents in all communities and of all incomes will have access to affordable healthy food. They’ll find affordable fresh fruit alongside the chips at the convenience store; and they’ll help their health by staying active and getting exercise. A truly connected pedestrian network will make it easy for people to walk to nearby destinations, one way that more residents will build regular physical activity into their daily lives. With better nutrition and exercise, the epidemic of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes will recede in the communities most afflicted. The region’s health will also improve as all residents will have access to affordable health care, including preventative care.

From an early age, children will benefit from a network of programs that prepare them for school, supplement the regular school day, and provide enrichment. Children and youth will have access to a strong system of early education programs, after school programs, teen centers, and youth organizations. Children and youth will continue to receive support as they age. Programs that cultivate creativity and leadership would empower young people to enhance their own lives and contribute to their communities. Programs specifically focused on at-risk youth will help prevent violence and ensure that all of Metro Boston’s young people are productive, positive citizens.

Critical elements in the system, after-school programs will only work if they can complement an excellent public education system characterized by regional equity, high achievement, and well-prepared graduates. Public schools will provide a high quality education for all students, not only in the fundamentals, but also in areas like health education, physical education, art, music, civics, and science. Currently underperforming schools will benefit from great teachers, more flexibility, and interventions based on data. Urban communities would offer a variety of high-quality education choices for families. With decreased regional segregation and increased quality of urban schools, there would be a smaller gap in educational outcomes among schoolchildren of different races and genders. By shifting growth to more mature suburbs or urban communities, MetroFuture’s land use plan would reduce growth pressures on rapidly growing
suburban school districts. Across the region, adequate funding and community partnerships would enable schools to provide more diverse offerings, helping to create more well-rounded students.

Higher graduation rates would reflect higher academic performance, so all graduates are ready to work or continue their education. More students will graduate from high school and go on to college or career training opportunities. Fewer students would drop out and those who do would find opportunities to return to school or earn a GED. High school graduates would have broader access to community colleges and higher education and will find themselves well prepared for college level work when they arrive. In turn, employers would find a larger supply of high school and community college graduates ready for work or specialized job training.

Public schools will have adequate resources to provide high  quality education thanks to stable municipal finances. With innovation and diversified funding, municipalities will operate efficiently and will have adequate funding with less reliance on the property tax. Cities and towns will have more control over their revenue, building their budget on a mix of property tax, local taxes and fees, value capture tools, regional tax sharing, and
state aid. Revenues will be more predictable and less volatile. Municipalities will also take every chance to save money through energy efficiency, regional service delivery, and reform. Residents will have confidence in the competence of local government thanks to benchmarking efforts that assess the efficiency of service delivery.

Transparency of municipal finances is a precondition for rational discussion about municipal budgeting; the other precondition is an informed and engaged populace. The region’s residents— including youth, seniors, and immigrants—will be well-informed and engaged in civic life and community planning. Metro Boston’s legacy of civic participation and democracy will become stronger as immigrants, minorities, and the poor become more actively involved in civic discourse and politics. Cities and towns will make more efficient and effective decisions thanks to diverse and sustained civic engagement.

Profound demographic shifts will change the face of Metro Boston communities over the coming years with large increases in the number of seniors and foreign-born residents. As Baby Boomers age, the region’s senior population will grow dramatically by 2030; the leading edge of this generation has already demonstrated that it will age quite differently than previous seniors. Boomers will live longer, and fewer will be looking for traditional retirement and senior living models. Many will want to work part time, either to supplement their retirement income or simply to stay active. This generation also has different housing preferences; many will avoid isolated over-55 developments in favor of housing choices integrated into town centers where they will help contribute to the economic vitality of those town centers. With attractive options available, fewer seniors will chose to move to other states, and more seniors will remain active members of their communities. They will be volunteering, working, shopping, and socializing; and fewer seniors will be isolated or unable to join the workforce if they want to.