A Century of Planning for Environmental Concerns in the Alewife Brook Watershed, Boston, MA

Abstract

Landscapes are ever changing, both ecologically and culturally, making it difficult for planners to understand and balance environmental, social, and economic needs. The Alewife Brook Watershed located in Boston, Massachusetts, USA is part of the Mystic River Watershed and is known for its ecological, cultural, and industrial history. Currently the watershed is surrounded by a network of roads and homes and is under continued threat of flooding and suburban and industrial development. A historical context overview of the landscape change and a case study analysis of six plans are selected for the current research of the Alewife Brook Watershed. The historical data will help identify the consequences of landscape change. The case study analysis will articulate similarities and differences and explore planning process theory. The research will provide insights on what has been done in the past to move forward in urban planning together planners, landscape designers, engineers, and ecologist can take. The research will reveal important findings that can be integrated into today's planning efforts. Additionally, the research contributes to connecting citizens to nature.