Report: How Outdated Zoning Rules Still Shape Boston

Classist and racist zoning decisions from decades past reverberate in today’s neighborhoods.

1 minute read

November 10, 2023, 6:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Brick brownstone homes in Back Bay, Boston with green hedges in front.

jStock / Adobe Stock

A new report from Boston Indicators “examines how zoning restrictions over the last 100 years has been used to exclude people along race and class lines in Greater Boston,” highlighting the need for zoning reform that can alleviate the region’s housing crisis and begin to undo decades of discriminatory policies. Zeninjor Enwemeka describes the report’s findings in an article for WBUR, noting that “Many suburbs of Boston used zoning policies to explicitly retain wealthy people and restrict lower-income people over decades, the report found.” Due in part to the connection between class and race, the report found racial disparities as well.

Last century’s zoning decisions are still important, the article notes, because they largely dictate new laws. “According to the report, zoning restrictions also helped create housing scarcity and high housing costs in the region as communities sought to be more "exclusive, desirable, expensive." And these things impact everyone today as there is more demand for housing, the report said.”

The report praises the recently passed MBTA Communities zoning law, which requires upzoning near transit to make room for more housing, and calls for more state-level zoning reform. 

Wednesday, November 8, 2023 in WBUR

Single-family homes in a suburban neighborhood in Florida.

New Florida Law Curbs HOA Power

The legislation seeks to cut down on ‘absurd’ citations for low-level violations.

June 16, 2024 - The Guardian

Multistory apartment building under construction.

New Tennessee Law Allows No-Cost Incentives for Affordable Housing

Local governments in the Volunteer State can now offer developers incentives like increased density, lower parking requirements, and priority permitting for affordable housing projects.

June 10, 2024 - Nooga Today

Aerial view of intersection in New York City with yellow cabs and zebra crosswalks.

Planners’ Complicity in Excessive Traffic Deaths

Professor Wes Marshall’s provocatively-titled new book, "Killed by a Traffic Engineer," has stimulated fierce debates. Are his criticisms justified? Let’s examine the degree that traffic engineers contribute to avoidable traffic deaths.

June 13, 2024 - Todd Litman

Brick high-rise apartment buildings in New York City

Study: Housing Crisis is About Affordability, not Supply

New research shows that there is no overall shortage of housing units, but all U.S. metropolitan areas face a severe lack of affordable units for low-income renters.

June 18 - University of Kansas

Couple on one side of desk with banker on other side looking at paperwork.

Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?

Shelterforce spoke with community lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations doing to avoid becoming the next target of conservative activists?

June 18 - Shelterforce Magazine

Rendering of Glory Park in Lewisville, Texas.

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas

The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.

June 18 - Lewisville Leader

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.