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Scholarly Research

What Boston Needs is More People, Not More Open Space

George Thrush
GlobeOp-Ed_Open_Space.jpg
Published: The Boston Globe 12/25/2000

Boston should be seeking to reassert density, replenish its empty or industrially obsolete districts with buildings and streets. Boston could hold many, many more residents‚ and should. If one looks at 800,000 in 1950 as a benchmark, and then studies all of the myriad new building districts available (see graphic), Boston could easily double its current population. The additional density could heal gaps between fragmented neighborhoods, and better connect the city with its neighboring suburbs. So density isn't the problem, it's the solution.

Research Topics:

• Public Policy
• Sustainable Design