Boston – Stimulating changes big and small

2 February 2023

Explore how Boston rebuilt itself after post-war decline, using bold infrastructure projects and small-scale changes to drive urban renewal.

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From a post-war decline to a city on the rebound, Boston has remade itself through massive infrastructure projects, as well as smaller insertions to stimulate bigger changes. In this photo essay, we look at some examples of Boston's urban transformation, big and small.

Rebounding from decline

Boston is the capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the US, and the economic and cultural anchor of Greater Boston. One of the oldest cities in US, Boston has changed dramatically over the past 60 years.

After the Second World War, Boston went into a decline and the city's population shrank by more than a third. The city and its region rebounded after 1980 with the residents' tenacity and world-class hospitals and universities as leverage, reinventing into a knowledge economy.

At the same time, the city tackled blight by undertaking massive infrastructure projects and developing new public facilities to spur urban revitalisation.

Black and white aerial view of a city waterfront with piers, parking lots, and a dense skyline of tall buildings.

Aerial view of a dense coastal city with skyscrapers, waterways, boats, roads, and parking lots on a sunny day.

Before and after: Aerial view of Commonwealth Pier, Pier Four and Fan Pier in 1982 (above) and 2017 (below) © Boston Planning & Development Agency

Black and white aerial sketch of a clock tower beside a color photo of people walking on a brick plaza below the same tower.

Before and after: The Custom House Tower was completed in 1915, and remained a landmark in Boston's financial district today. © Boston Planning & Development Agency

Aerial view of a city with a large green park, dense buildings, a pond, and a harbor in the background.

Aerial view of Boston Common © Boston Planning & Development Agency

Aerial view of a city skyline along a river with sailboats, trees, and a tall glass skyscraper visible.

Charles River and Back Bay © Boston Planning & Development Agency

Rejuvenating waterfronts

The Boston Harborwalk (opens in new tab) stretching from Dorchester to East Boston is an important part of the city's waterfront revitalisation programme. The public walkway connects neighbourhoods to the harbour, linking recreational, cultural and historical attractions, as well as access to public transit. The city set zoning regulations to ensure that the waterfront remains publicly accessible to all.

Martin's Park (opens in new tab) in South Boston incorporates flood resilient techniques, as well as inclusive play structures allowing children of all abilities to experience discovery and exploration. The park is a natural respite in the dense urban environment, and a meaningful way to honour the youngest victim of the 2012 Boston Marathon bombings while also addressing climate issues.

People sit on benches along a waterfront promenade facing a city skyline at sunset, with a young tree nearby.

Boston Harborwalk © Boston Harbor Now

People walking and sitting along a sunny riverside boardwalk with lamp posts, benches, and a blue bridge in the background.

Boston Harborwalk © Boston Harbor Now

A waterfront dock with a wooden pier, brick building, chain barriers, people walking, and city skyline in the background.

Developments are required by zoning regulations to set back from the water's edge and provide public easement. © Urban Redevelopment Authority Singapore

A wooden boardwalk with blue railings runs along a calm waterway beside a park and several brick buildings.

Urban park with trees, benches, walking paths, and people, surrounded by modern glass and brick buildings.

Before and after: Martin's Park before and after. © Boston Planning & Development Agency

A wooden pirate ship playground structure sits in white sand near urban buildings under a blue sky.

Martin's Park © Boston Planning & Development Agency

Stimulating changes

In 401 Park (opens in new tab) in the Fenway area, the Developer Samuels & Associates worked with the authorities over five years to rezone and up-zone the land parcels. The historic Landmark Centre was renovated and expanded to include a public space and a 'Time-Out Market' (opens in new tab) food hall. The latter became a magnet in the local community and helped spur interest in its surrounding area.

The Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building (opens in new tab) is an important civic function (headquarters of the Boston Public Schools) injected into the Dudley Square neighbourhood to uplift its 'rough' image, and provide a stimulus for private developments and businesses. Part of the prime street level space is set aside for business or non-profit use, and the Roxbury Innovation Center (opens in new tab) - a new business incubator.

Large tan multi-story Best Buy store in a historic building with a tower flying flags, and a parking lot in front.

Large tan multi-story building with a tower flying an American flag, trees and people in front, Trillium sign visible.

Interior of Time Out Market Boston food hall with people dining and walking among concrete columns.

A multi-story ornate stone corner building with blue-paneled windows and a Ferdinand's sign at street level.

Aerial view of a curved brick building facade under construction, supported by steel beams, near a Walgreens store.

A ornate corner building with a modern copper top addition, street-level shops, cars, trees, and two pedestrians on a sunny day.

A modern multi-story building on a city street with pedestrians, a yellow school bus, and a transit bus nearby.

People sit at blue chairs and benches on a sunny rooftop terrace overlooking a city skyline.