The Northeast Regional Center for Rural
Development Land Use Toolbox
Massachusetts - Transportation
links
American
Planning Association
Massachusetts
Chapter of the American Planning Association,
http://www.massapa.org/
Description:
APA is a nonprofit public interest and research organization committed
to urban, suburban, regional, and rural planning. APA and its professional
institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, advance the art
and science of planning to meet the needs of people and society.
Topics: Planning/Zoning, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Bay
Circuit Trail and Greenway
Bay
Circuit Trail and Greenway,
http://www.baycircuit.org/
Description:
The Bay Circuit - An Original Bay State Concept: First proposed in 1929
as an outer "emerald necklace," linking parks, open spaces and
waterways from Plum Island to Kingston Bay, the Bay Circuit idea - a precursor
of today's national greenways movement - continues to take shape. Focused
on a 200 mile corridor of 50 cities and towns, the Bay Circuit Trail connects
the "jewels" of the "emerald necklace." Community
by community, the dream of connecting more than 79 areas of protected
land in a greenway around Boston is now becoming a reality.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Transportation, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Boston
GreenSpace Alliance
Boston
GreenSpace Alliance,
http://www.greenspacealliance.org/
Description:
Founded in 1984, Boston GreenSpace Alliance is a private, nonprofit organization
dedicated to the protection, creation, care and use of Boston's parks
and open spaces. The Alliance is the recognized leader on open space issues
in Boston and serves as a "watchdog and voice" on policy and
planning matters affecting open space in the City.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Boston
Metropolitan Planning Organization
Boston
Metropolitan Planning Organization,
http://www.ctps.org/bostonmpo/
Description:
The Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization is one of the 13 Massachusetts
regions established to carry out federally funded transportation plans
and programs.
Topics: Planning/Zoning, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Conservation
Law Foundation
Conservation
Law Foundation,
http://www.clf.org/
Description:
The Conservation Law Foundation is the oldest and largest regional environmental
advocacy organization in the United States. We're based in New England,
where our attorneys, scientists, economists, and policy experts work on
the most significant threats to the natural environment of the region
and its residents.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Conservation
Law Foundation Ventures
Conservation
Law Foundation Ventures,
http://www.clfventures.org/
Description:
CLF Ventures is redefining environmental advocacy. Through innovative
partnerships with private and public sector clients, we combine CLF's
longstanding reputation for environmental protection with our financial
and business transaction skills. As a result, we are able to provide our
clients with innovative solutions to complex environmental problems.
Topics: Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Department
of Conservation and Recreation
Land
and Water Stewardship,
http://www.mass.gov/dem/stewardship.htm
Description:
DCR funds and supports grant programs for municipalities, nonprofit organizations
and planning agencies. The funding provided supports projects connected
to the environment and its history. Look here for professional services
such as forest health, forest fire detection and well driller licensing.
Public educational programs are offered at state parks and in local communities,
and makes available environmental information such as rainfall measurements
and drought warnings.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
East
Coast Greenway
East
Coast Greenway,
http://www.greenway.org/
Description:
The East Coast Greenway will be the nation's first long-distance, city-to-city,
multi-modal transportation corridor for cyclists, hikers, and other non-motorized
users. Our goal is to connect existing and planned trails that are locally
owned and managed to form a continuous, safe, green route -- easily identified
by the public through signage, maps, users guides, and common services.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island
Environmental
Protection Agency
New
England Car-Free Transportation Alternatives,
http://www.epa.gov/ne/topics/air/carfree.html
Description:
Whether you are a resident or just planning on visiting New England this
web site offers some great links to car-free transportation alternatives
including; bike paths, buses, ferry services, ride-sharing, subways, trains,
and trolleys.
Topics: Transportation
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Executive
Office of Environmental Affairs
Community
Preservation Initiative,
http://commpres.env.state.ma.us/
Description:
Massachusetts has taken an innovative approach to growth management, creating
a grassroots, municipally-driven smart growth initiative called Community
Preservation. Community Preservation is an organizing principle focused
on preserving and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts community
by community, watershed by watershed. The Initiative provides tools, technical
assistance and outreach to local decision-makers to help them make informed
decisions about future growth.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Executive
Office of Transportation and Construction
Bicycle
and Pedestrian Programs,
http://www.state.ma.us/eotc/modes/modes_pedstrn.html
Description:
From the Berkshires to Cape Cod, the Executive Office of Transportation
and Construction is working to promote bicycle and pedestrian transportation
modes for work, recreation and other trip purposes.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Highway Department
Bicycle
Information,
http://www.state.ma.us/mhd/paths/bikep.htm
Description:
The vision statement of the Statewide Bicycle Transportation Plan is recognition
of bicycling as a viable means of transportation and reasonable accommodation
of the needs of bicyclists in policies, programs, and projects. Greater
recognition and accommodation of the needs of bicyclists will lead to
a more balanced transportation system with greater modal choice and improvements
in bicycle safety. Such actions will enhance the environment and quality
of life in the Commonwealth, and improve personal mobility.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Highway Department
Commuting
Options,http://www.state.ma.us/mhd/commute.htm
Description:
The following U.S. Census journey-to-work statistics for 2000 show how
Massachusetts residents commute to work compared to the nation as a whole.
Both in Massachusetts and nationally, over 70% of all employed residents
drive alone to work. But in Massachusetts there is a smaller share of
total residents driving to work (83% vs. 88%), as the Commonwealth's reliance
on public transportation is significantly greater than the national average.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Highway Department
Connecticut
River Crossing Transportation Study,
http://www.state.ma.us/mhd/planning/riverStudy.htm
Description:
The purpose of the Connecticut River Crossing Transportation Study was
to determine the need for transportation improvements, including the potential
need and feasibility of providing an additional bridge over the Connecticut
River, within the study area. The study area extends from Holyoke north
to Sunderland, a region divided north-to-south by the Connecticut River.
Topics: Planning/Zoning, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Highway Department
Environmental
Section,
http://www.state.ma.us/mhd/environ/default.htm
Description:
The Environmental Section is responsible for overseeing the environmental
compliance activities for MassHighway to ensure that the roadway and bridge
construction and repair program as well as maintenance depot operations
are conducted in an environmentally sound manner.
Topics: Historic Preservation, Land Preservation, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Highway Department
Footprint
Roads Pilot Program,
http://www.state.ma.us/mhd/footprint/roads.htm
Description:
The Footprint Roads Pilot Program was established to help cities and towns
preserve and enhance historic character, environmental assets and other
unique community characteristics when implementing necessary roadway improvements.
Work under this program should consist primarily of roadway improvements
within the existing "footprints" of the project roadways.
Topics: Historic Preservation, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Highway Department
Pedestrian
Information,
http://www.state.ma.us/mhd/paths/pedp.htm
Description:
Improving the walking environment means more than beautifying streets
and building sidewalks and paths. Better pedestrian access requires accommodation
of pedestrians on our bridges and roadways, improving access to transit
stations and bus stops, and promoting awareness of rights and responsibilities
through education programs. MassHighway's primary focus is planning and
engineering, but we continue to work closely with other agencies to enhance
education, enforcement and encouragement initiatives as well.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Highway Department
Transportation
Enhancement Program,
http://www.state.ma.us/mhd/planning/enh.htm
Description:
The Transportation Enhancement Program provides opportunities to preserve,
restore, and enhance components of the surface transportation system.
Its purpose is to provide added features to standard transportation facilities
and programs. Eligible projects include development of bicycle and pedestrian
facilities, educational programs, landscaping, acquisition of scenic easements,
historic preservation, restoration of buildings and structures, removal
of outdoor advertising, archaeological research, environmental mitigation
of stormwater pollution, and establishment of transportation museums.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Trial Court Law Libraries
Code
of Massachusetts Regulations,
http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/cmr.html
Description:
This area provides access to those sections of the CMR which are available
on the web. Sections not listed are not currently available on the web.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
MassGIS
Massachusetts
Geographical Information System,
http://www.state.ma.us/mgis/
Description:
MassGIS is the Commonwealth's Office of Geographic and Environmental Information,
within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. Through
MassGIS, the Commonwealth has created a comprehensive, statewide database
of spatial information for environmental planning and management. Recent
legislation has established MassGIS as the official state agency assigned
to the collection, storage and dissemination of geographic data. The legislation
gives MassGIS the mandate to set standards for geographic data to ensure
universal compatibility.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
MassBike
MassBike,
http://www.massbike.org/
Description:
The purpose of MassBike is to promote the bicycle as a safe, healthful,
enjoyable, efficient, and environmentally sound means of transportation,
to seek to establish an atmosphere which enhances those desirable qualities
of bicycle transportation, and to serve and protect the interests of the
bicycling public.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
New
England Mountain Bike Association
New
England Mountain Bike Association,
http://www.nemba.org/
Description:
NEMBA is a recreational trails advocacy organization. Our mission, which
we've chosen to take, is to ride on the best trails that the world has
to offer. Luckily, most all of them are in New England, so we don't have
to travel far.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
New
England Transportation Consortium
New
England Transportation Consortium,
http://www.netc.uconn.edu/ti/Research/index.htm
Description:
The NETC was formed as a regional approach to developing innovative solutions
to common transportation problems among the New England states. Its purpose
is to pool the financial, professional and academic resources of the region
and to use them to research and develop improved methods of dealing with
common problems in the planning, design, construction, maintenance, rehabilitation,
reconstruction and operation of transportation systems in the participating
states. The program is intended to supplement, not to replace, ongoing
state and federal research activities and other national programs such
as NCHRP.
Topics: Intergovernmental Cooperation, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Northeast-Midwest
Institute
Northeast-Midwest
Institute,
http://www.nemw.org
Description:
The Northeast-Midwest Institute is a Washington-based, private, nonprofit,
and non-partisan research organization dedicated to economic vitality,
environmental quality, and regional equity for Northeast and Midwest states.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
Rails-Trails
of Massachusetts
Rails-Trails
of Massachusetts,
http://members.fortunecity.com/railtrails/MA/index.htm
Description:
A listing of existing and proposed rails-trails in Massachusetts.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Sierra
Club
Massachusetts
Chapter Homepage,
http://www.sierraclubmass.org/
Description: The mission statement of the Sierra Club is to explore, enjoy and protect the wild places of the earth; practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; and educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Smart
Growth Network
Massachusetts
Smart Growth News Articles,
http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/bystate.asp?state=MA&res=800
Description: Listing of news articles relating to smart growth issues in a specific state.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Supreme
Judicial Court of Massachusetts
Court
Opinions,
http://massreports.com/welcome.htm
Description:
Welcome to the official website of the office of the Reporter of Decisions
of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and the Appeals Court. Since
1804 the Reporter's office has prepared the opinions of the Supreme Judicial
Court, the oldest court in continuous existence in the Western Hemisphere.
The primary purposes of this website are to provide the most timely and
efficient dissemination of the decisions of the two Massachusetts appellate
courts.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
University
of New Hampshire
Center
for Integrative Regional Problem Solving,
http://www.unh.edu/cirps/
Description: The Center for Integrative Regional Problem Solving facilitates ecologically-based, innovative approaches for securing quality of life and addressing land use challenges in Northern New England through integrated research, outreach, education, and multi-disciplinary partnerships.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Housing, Land Preservation, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire
Walk
Boston
Walk
Boston,
http://www.walkboston.org/index.htm
Description:
WalkBoston promotes walking for transportation, health and recreation
through education and advocacy. Our mission is to create and preserve
safe walking environments that build vital communities.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Compact mixed use development in Boston, www.lincolninst.edu
Description: Identifying areas of mixed use and potential mixed use and sprawl.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, historic preservation, healthy communities, transportation, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Assessing land encumbered by conservation restrictions, www.lincolninst.edu
Description: How communities are assesing conservation restricted land.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, historic preservation, healthy communities, transportation, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Regulating subdivisions in Massachusetts, www.lincolninst.edu
Description: Practices and outlooks; survey of public officials.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, housing, transportation, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
Smart Growth Network
Builders protest smart growth law: State defends process, www.sgli.org
Description: State holding fast on focus of affordable near transit options.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, housing, transportation, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
Fannie Mae Foundation
Fixing It First in Massachusetts, www.fanniemaefoundation.org
Description: Reforms that will help MA invest its funds wisely.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, housing, transportation, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
NERCRD ©2004
The Toolbox is a joint effort of The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development (NERCRD)
and Penn State Cooperative Extension in Adams County.
This page was last updated on July 13, 2005.
For questions, suggestions or to report broken links, please contact NERCRD: nercrd@psu.edu.