What do you want Boston to be like in 2030?
Here’s your chance to add your two cents.
Close your eyes (when you’re done reading this sentence) and picture Boston in the year 2030. There’s a lot to imagine—maybe you see a streamlined transportation system, or a totally environmentally friendly city, or some wildly creative new use for public space. If you’ve got an idea of how the city should look in the future, here’s your chance to share it with the big leagues who actually run things.
On Wednesday, Mayor Marty Walsh announced Imagine Boston 2030, the city’s latest community engagement initiative. Officials will gather feedback from the public to flesh out the vision of Boston’s future development plans.
The city launched a mobile survey tool called Textizen to foster this sharing of ideas. Anyone can complete the following sentence: “My life in 2030 will be better with…’’ by texting the letter that corresponds with one of the following choices, and send their submission to 617-860-3745:
a. Housing I can afford
b. Safer neighborhoods
c. Better transportation options
d. Quality education for all
e. A more environmentally friendly city
f. Great parks and public spaces
g. A more innovative and creative city
h. Expanded job opportunities
i. More vibrant neighborhoods
But there’s more involvement than selecting a pre-written goal. If you text in, you’ll be asked some follow-up questions like “What do you think is Boston’s biggest challenge to overcome?’’ and “What’s your big idea for making Boston a better place to live in 2030?’’
“This citywide planning effort is the first of its kind in 50 years and we truly want residents from every corner of the city to be engaged in a way that they never have been before,’’ Walsh said in a statement. “The success of Boston’s future depends on the contribution of our fellow Bostonians of all ages and backgrounds.’’
If you’re not so into texting, you can add your thoughts through this website, too. The initiative is expected to play out over the next two years (Boston wasn’t built in a day) with the city aiming to adopt a final plan by the summer of 2017.
Don’t be shy to add in your two cents. Walsh wants 2030 to be a big year for Boston—it is the city’s 400th birthday, after all.
How the Boston skyline has changed:
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