Cambridge’s planning methods explained

The process the City of Cambridge used to establish a planning framework for substantial development in eastern Cambridge, including the NorthPoint project, makes up a chapter of Douglas Porter’s recent book, Breaking the Development Logjam: New Strategies for Building Community Support. The $22.95 book from the Urban Land Institute presents strategies for involving citizens in the decision-making process, including charrettes, workshops, focus groups, and visualization tools. Included are several projects and plans possessing elements of New Urbanism: Crawford Square in Pittsburgh; Hellgate Meadows in Missoula, Montana; the North St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan Charrette in Florida; the Pleasant Hill BART station in Contra Costa County, California; and Rolling Hill Mill in Nashville.