Boston, MA
Municipality in Massachusetts
United States
Boston, MA adds urban tree data to open data hub
As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance public access to urban tree data, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and Urban Forestry Division will now give the public access to data collected from the street tree inventory conducted in 2021 and data from ongoing efforts to inventory trees in parks on Analyze Boston. This integration into Analyze Boston consolidates valuable urban forestry information alongside other city datasets for research or analytic purposes.
Boston, MA
United States
Boston, MA Healthy and Green Retrofit Pilot Program seeks decarbonization of owner-occupied rentals
The pilot randomly selects ten qualified applicants for decarbonization retrofit assistance in buildings with two to four units. Qualifications for the program include owner occupancy and pre-1999 construction dates. Customized green energy plans and construction management services guide participants through retrofits. Grants up to $50,000 per unit cover heat pump installation, weatherization, and other improvements.
Boston, MA
United States
Boston, MA and Soofa make air quality data easier to find with digital kiosk widget
Soofa digital kiosks located throughout the city present public announcements and advertisements. The new widget adds air quality data to this rotation. Passersby learn the Air Quality Index (AQI), forecasts of future AQI levels, and particulate matter levels from Soofa kiosks. Local officials adopted the widget as part of a citywide air quality initiative including classroom sensors and municipal building energy audits.
Boston, MA
United States
Boston, MA pilots Postpartum Education and Support Group for residents from underrepresented groups
The 10-week virtual program provides free guidance for 32 residents who have recently given birth. Project facilitator Love Your Menses, Inc. arranges guest speakers and consultations with OB/GYNs during weekly sessions. The group also provides postpartum care boxes and supports peer mentoring among participants. City officials intend the pilot as a supportive environment for residents of color facing obstacles to treatment for postpartum depression.
Boston, MA
United States
Boston, MA seeks reductions in car traffic and emissions through employee transit incentive package
City employees previously received discounted bikeshare memberships and monthly transit passes. The new package covers 65% of the cost of an MBTA pass for Boston's 18,000 employees. This initiative also issues free Bluebikes memberships typically priced at $119 per year. Transit incentives bring active transit in parity with car-centric incentives like free garage parking. Boston anticipates increased employee satisfaction and retention through affordable transit options.
Boston, MA
United States
Boston, MA responds to neighborhood and citywide COVID-19 trends with new wastewater testing program
The Boston Public Health Commission and Biobot Analytics selected manholes in 11 high-density neighborhoods for the program. Twice-weekly testing results are posted to a dedicated COVID-19 dashboard. Each wastewater report shows an eight-day moving average for each neighborhood and all sites. A citywide variant tracker shows the most dominant variants for the previous four weeks. This approach supports localized health messaging and services based on neighborhood-level data.
Boston, MA
United States
Boston, MA mandates sustainable designs for curb extensions with green infrastructure policy
Five design options for new curb extensions include subsurface infiltration areas, bioswales, and wildflower seedings. The city offers maintenance contracts for projects incorporating porous paving or tree pits into extensions. Boston will also encourage local groups to adopt specific curb extensions for light maintenance. Local officials believe sustainable curb extensions will improve stormwater filtration and shape similar standards for other infrastructure projects.
Boston, MA
United States