11.360 COMMUNITY GROWTH AND LAND USE PLANNING PRACTICUM M.I.T. DEPARTMENT OF URBAN STUDIES AND PLANNING FALL 2017 Terry S. Szold, Adjunct Professor, tsszold@mit.edu Viktorija Abolina, Instructor, abolina@mit.edu Zoe Taft Mueller, TA, zmueller@mit.edu Tuesday Thursday 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM 3-0-9 (H) Units Room 10-401 lectures/discussion Studio space 9-555 COURSE DESCRIPTION The successful city will be led not just by political and business leaders but by a host of concerned citizens who believe in the value of civic involvement. The developer, the planner, the architect, the lawyer, the preacher, the doctor, the banker, the broker, the baker, the seniors, the boomers and the X-ers will all practice the art of cityship. Those who answer the call that went out as long ago as the Tower of Babel Come, let us build ourselves a city will hold the city in their hearts and their hands. It may seem idealistic, in our hard-edged, competitive world, to discuss community building and participation in community affairs. But there seems to be a growing consensus that this indeed is important. That applies to all professions and especially to the talented individuals in the land use/built-environment business, where men and women make decisions day in and day out that affect the health, safety, welfare, and happiness of communities in this country. William H. Hudnut III, 1998 This class explores the techniques, processes, and personal and professional skills required to effectively manage growth and land use change. While primarily focused on planning practice in the United States, the principles and techniques reviewed and presented may have international application. This class is not for bystanders; it is designed for those who wish to become actively involved or exposed to the planning discipline and profession as it is practiced today, and as it may need to be practiced in the future. The fundamentals of the land use planning and growth management system are explored. Discussion and review of both traditional and innovative approaches to land use planning and growth management will occur, with emphasis on participatory processes and performance-based systems. Examples of the tools and techniques utilized at the local, regional, and state level of government will also be presented and evaluated. A major focus of the class involves student work on a client-based land use planning project. The project will enable students to draw upon and apply a variety of approaches and interventions explored in the classroom and readings. This year, the class study area will be the Ball and Magoun Square neighborhoods of Somerville, MA. 1 of 7
Class sessions employ lectures, discussions of readings, case materials, and student presentations. A reader (posted on the class Stellar web site) containing journal articles, papers, and other written works relevant to contemporary planning practice and the evolution of the discipline supplements class session topics and discussion. Where appropriate to specific topics, guest speakers will present to the class and join in our group discussion. No prior training or experience in physical planning or urban design is assumed, although it is advantageous. Some exposure to imaging software and GIS is helpful. There is no final examination required for completion of the course. In addition to classwork, each student will be required to participate, as a project team member, in the preparation of a project for an actual client. Student evaluations will be principally based upon their contributions to the community planning project, including the preparation of the final plan report, participation in mid-term and final presentations of the plan to the client and others, and submission of a short, individual synthesis paper about the planning project, and their specific contributions to the plan. Participation in class discussion will also be a significant factor in final grade evaluations. MIT Writing Resources The WCC at MIT (Writing and Communication Center) offers free one-on-one professional advice from communication experts. The WCC is staffed completely by MIT lecturers. The WCC works with undergraduate, graduate students, post-docs, faculty, staff, alums, and spouses. The WCC helps you strategize about all types of academic and professional writing as well as about all aspects of oral presentations (including practicing classroom presentations & conference talks as well as designing slides). No matter what department or discipline you are in, the WCC helps you think your way more deeply into your topic, helps you see new implications in your data, research, and ideas. The WCC also helps with all English as Second Language issues, from writing and grammar to pronunciation and conversation practice. The WCC is located in E18-233, 50 Ames Street). To guarantee yourself a time, make an appointment. To register with our online scheduler and to make appointments, go to https://mit.mywconline.com/ Academic Integrity For information on MIT s rules on academic integrity, also applicable to this class, please go to the MIT Website: http://web.mit.edu/academicintegrity. Students with Disabilities This class follows the MIT rules on the accommodation for students with disabilities, details for which are at: http://studentlife.mit.edu/dso/students Instructor Office Hours By appointment 2 of 7
DUSP 11.360 Fall Practicum 2017: Creating a Vision for Ball and Magoun Squares in Somerville CLASS OUTLINE AND SCHEDULE PART I: FUNDAMENTALS: LAND USE PLANNING, REGULATION, SMART DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH Week 1: September 7. September 9. Week 2: September 12. September 14. Week 3: September 19. September 21. Week 4: September 26. September 28. Week 5: October 3 October 5 Week 6: October 10 October 12 Week 7: October 17 October 19 INTRODUCTION Course Introduction Saturday study area walking tour 11:00 1:00 pm (Optional confirm attendance with TA) PROJECT INTRODUCTION AND START-UP Client in class. Project Introduction/Planning in Somerville. Staff from Somerville s Planning Department to share the study area s planning context, history, and relevant future plans/goals for the area. Planning in Somerville Understanding the place and current conditions. The role of planner. Project teams formed. NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING: HISTORY, TOOLS AND PRINCIPLES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH The Planner s and Urban Designer s Tools: Approaches and Principles History and Future of Land Use Planning MAKING A PLAN: WHERE TO BEGIN? Visioning the Future of Places/Plan-Making at Community Level. PLAN: South Boston, Dorchester Avenue presentation Envisioning the Magoun Square and Ball Square Neighborhoods Teams Present Preliminary Findings in class for discussion PLANNING FOR GROWTH AND ZONING CONTROLS Zoning Controls (Part 1) The Basics Zoning Controls (Part 2) Land Use Planning, Real Estate Market, and Property Rights LINKING SMART DEVELOPMENT & TRANSPORTATION Holiday Columbus Day Infrastructure Challenge for Planning; Transit-Oriented Development. PLANNING AND DESIGNING RESPONSIVE ENVIRONEMENTS Client in class. Understanding Ball and Magoun Square review community outreach findings, current conditions, and emerging planning themes. Guest Lecture (TBD). Landscape Planning, Ecological Considerations and Climate Resilience. 3 of 7
Week 8: October 24 October 24 October 26 UNDERSTANDING BALL AND MAGOUN SQUARES Project Work Day Penultimate Presentation Run Public Meeting (Evening): students present on current conditions, opportunities, and planning themes Debriefing of Public Meeting. Record What We Heard. Incentive-Based Zoning, Form-Based Zoning, and Methods to Broaden Housing Affordability PART II: PLANNING FRAMEWORK AND SCENARIO PLANNING Week 9: October 31 November 2 Week 10: November 7 November 9 Week 11: November 14 November 16 AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING Guest Lecture: George Proakis, Director of Planning for the City of Somerville. Area Economic Planning: Tools and Prospects. Project Work Day Developing Future Growth Scenarios. Chapter One: Existing Conditions of the Plan due in class. URBAN DESIGN AND CREATIVE PLACEMAKING Guest Lecture: Prataap Patrose. Sr. Advisor for Long Term Planning, BPDA. Placemaking and Design of Public Spaces. Project Work Day Developing Future Growth Scenarios ENHANCING MOBILITY AND CONNECTIVITY TOD Development, Streetscape Design, Traffic Calming, Parking Design, and Complete Streets. Project Work Day Developing Future Growth Scenarios PART III: PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Week 12: November 21 November 23 Week 13: November 28 November 30 Week 14: December 5 December 7 Week 15: December 12 PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS Client in Class (tentative). Review Final Recommendations. Holiday (Thanksgiving) PLAN IMPLEMENTATION Project Work Day and Dry Run of Public Meeting Presentation Project Work Day Public Meeting (Evening): Class Presents Alternative Growth Scenarios for Ball and Magoun Squares in Somerville (2 nd and Final Public Meeting) FINAL PLAN PRODUCTION Debriefing of Public Meeting/Final Report Work Day Final Report Production Work Day Report drafts discussed and edits FINAL PLAN PRODUCTION Final Plan Due in Class/ Class wrap up and reflection / The role of planner 4 of 7
Background & Project Area: Somerville is a city, just north of Cambridge, of four square miles. Somerville, with a population over 77,000 has the greatest residential density in New England. For this reason, many see Somerville as built out. Yet, there continue to be opportunities within neighborhood squares and underutilized areas for Somerville to grow. Even without any growth at all, Somerville s neighborhoods are also changing, as the retail stores change and residential structures are rehabilitated. Within the context of this growth and change, a planning effort will allow the City to address needs for housing, for jobs, for open space and other city priorities. In 2012, the City completed the SomerVision master plan. This comprehensive city-wide plan was the culmination of three years of work to establish a shared vision for the future of the City. That vision was focused around a set of numerical goals, including 30,000 new jobs, 6,000 new housing units and 125 acres of new publicly accessible open space. While much of this growth will be focused upon 365 acres of land on the eastern edge of the City, (much of which today is underutilized industrial land and automobile-oriented infrastructure), SomerVision also calls for the corridors and squares to be enhanced with additional residential and commercial development, street improvements, and community-focused open spaces. Somerville is undergoing significant change. The MBTA Green Line will soon be extended beyond Lechmere station in Cambridge, into Somerville, providing six new rail transit stops in the city. In addition to the new Assembly Square station on the orange line, and existing red line service at Davis Square, this coming transit will bring 85% of the city of Somerville within 1 2 mile of a rail transit station. The station at Ball Square will serve the western portion of Somerville s Broadway corridor. The station will sit on the Medford/Somerville city line. In 2012, when the City first begun neighborhood planning efforts in preparation for the green line, the MBTA was still designing the station. For this reason, while neighborhood plans were finished for adjacent stations, the plan for Ball Square was put on hold and never completed. Ball and Magoun Squares - Neighborhood Plan Nearby, at Magoun Square, some planning was completed for the neighborhood s Green Line station. But, the Magoun Square station is 1/3 of a mile away from the square, requiring a walk through a residential neighborhood. The station site has a plan for future change and development, and much of it is being implemented. But, while the plan touched on ideas for the nearby square, it has not benefited from as much focused planning. Broadway is the street that connects Ball Square to Magoun Square. Broadway starts at Sullivan Square in Boston, enters Somerville and crosses through the City connecting neighborhoods including East Somerville, Winter Hill, Magoun Square, Ball Square, Powderhouse Circle, and Teele Square before entering Arlington. Broadway, between Magoun Square and Ball Square is fronted by a mix of small residential and commercial buildings, gas stations and a large city football field. Behind the field is the current City 5 of 7
of Somerville DPW facility. With new access to transit at Ball Square this DPW site may benefit from being relocated, thereby opening a catalyst redevelopment site. The changes occurring in this neighborhood are of concern to many neighbors. They want to make sure that future change addresses community needs, strengthens the business districts, provides employment and affordable housing opportunities, and continues Somerville s efforts to be America s most walkable and bikeable community. Portions of the project area are directly along Somerville s shared boundary with the City of Medford. As a part of the stakeholder outreach process, students may be asked to review and understand Medford s planning efforts along this shared border, and how they may complement or conflict with Somerville s goals. With the opportunity to design a future Broadway, improvements to neighborhood squares and guidance for future private development, a planning effort can help answer many community questions: What will this area look like in the future? How will it work? Who will live there? Who will work there? What will they do? The City is now seeking answers to all of these questions. Scope of Work: The Ball / Magoun Neighborhood Plan should advance various possibilities for development and neighborhood enhancement including the following: The improvements on Broadway have been constructed in East Somerville, and are in design through Winter Hill. The students will have the opportunity to address how Broadway should look and feel through the area surrounding Magoun and Ball Squares and around Magoun Square, how the connection between Broadway, which serves as the back of properties, interacts with properties facing on Medford Street. Students will establish strategies for residential and commercial development to in the appropriate places throughout and around the two squares, and how those new developments can peacefully co-exist with the abutting neighbors of one- to three-family homes. Students will develop strategies to ensure that Magoun Square and Ball Square can continue to anchor the existing neighborhoods surrounding it. Students will also develop a strategy to fill in the gaps in Broadway between the two squares, particularly to redevelop gas stations and service shops along the street. Students will determine the long-term strategy for the city-owned public works facility that is between the two squares. The plan should serve as a guide to future development consistent with plan objectives. While the City has now published proposed new zoning, in the course of the plan, an analysis of existing and proposed land use regulations within the study area should be made. The final plan should propose recommendation to ensure that new regulations are appropriate to encourage desired redevelopment. In particular, the plan should ensure that development heights and densities in the proposed zoning match the proposed catalyst development projects reviewed as a part of the plan. 6 of 7
Project Milestones / Deliverables The students will prepare for and conduct two public meetings during the course of the semester: Late October 2017: A project overview presentation and a forum to solicit ideas from the community members about the desired campus-neighborhood interface. Late November 2017: A presentation of the alternative growth scenarios for Ball Square and a forum to solicit community feedback on the alternatives. A Final Plan Report and plan consisting of text and graphic material reflecting the scope of work above, and the work and analysis performed by the students, shall be submitted at the conclusion of the semester. A brief executive summary of the final report will be submitted to the Client for distribution and review before the final meeting described above. The report will outline a baseline vision, alternative program mix scenarios and the physical infrastructure that can support the suggested alternatives, and implementation strategies with respect to the potential growth scenarios. Materials produced at completion of project: Originals of all completed plan documents and 15 copies of the Final Plan report will be provided to the City. Presentation boards depicting general development concepts, slide/transparencies for presentation purposes, maps, etc., are also to be provided for the City s use after completion of the project. An electronic copy shall also be provided, in a format that allows for it to be posted to relevant websites. In addition to officials from OSCPD, members of the community, the City s Community Development Corporation, Board of Aldermen members, Planning Board members, and other interested parties will be invited to attend each of the above referenced presentations. Students will meet with at the beginning of the semester with officials from the City. Students will have the opportunity to coordinate interviews with key neighborhood stakeholders and other interested parties. 7 of 7