MIT case studies

These case studies were researched and written by Zhan Guo and Alex-Ricardo Jimenez of MIT, under the direction of Thomas J. Piper of the Department of Urban Studies and Planning. They examine a series of urban open space projects with particular lessons for Boston as it decides the future of the land freed up when the Central Artery moves underground.

Boston
Commonwealth Avenue: Back Bay's elegant boulevard is one of the city's most successful streets.
Piers Park: Successful in large part because of the designer's sensitivity to the requests of the East Boston community.
Post Office Square: A lovely oasis in the heart of the city's Financial District that's a good example of public-private partnership.
South Boston Marine Park: This not-yet-completed park recognizes that open space alone is not enough to attract people.

Barcelona
Parc Clot: Interesting reuse of an old industrial site on a scale similar to many Central Artery parcels.
Porta Vell: A mostly successful project that reconnected a port city with its waterfront.
The Ramblas: An outstanding example of a main thoroughfare with a people-friendly scale.

Paris
Parc Andre Citroen: Reuse of a huge industrial complex to create a park that is an urban work of art.
Viaduc des Arts/Promenade Plantee: Innovative reuse of an old elevated railroad viaduc to create a much-needed urban park.

San Francisco
Crissy Field: An obsolete military base was redeveloped into a vast and successful public open space.
Ferry Building Plaza: A not-altogether-successful attempt to redevelop the land formerly occupied by a elevated downtown expressway.
Rincon Park: Public-private partnership use to build and maintain a waterfront public park.
Yerba Buena: This combination of park and civic space is a testimonial to the power of careful urban planning and careful event planning.