Welcome

The American Planning Association Massachusetts Chapter (APA-MA) is an official Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). We are a 1,100-plus member organization of professional planners and planning officials who serve Massachusetts communities in many ways, at all levels of government, the private sector and not-for-profit organizations.

Mission

The mission of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Planning Association is to enhance and support planning in Massachusetts through education, advocacy, outreach, communication, and provision of services & resources to members and the larger planning community, in a manner that maximizes diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Learn more about The American Planning Association Massachusetts Chapter (APA-MA).

APA-MA and MAPD are sponsoring a welcome return to in-person Lunch n’ Learns with a trip to Brockton for an exciting program entitled:

“From Shoes to Brews in Brockton!”

Once a dominant shoe and boot manufacturing center, the City of Brockton fell on hard times as manufacturing jobs were first shipped to nonunion states and eventually overseas. A lack of leadership and common vision saw the City miss out on a half-century of economic cycles with little to no investment to speak of. The City was especially hit hard by the 2008 housing crisis in which hundreds of families lost their homes and what remained of downtown was all but boarded up.

However, the City has seen a rebirth of late. Benefited by its geographic proximity to Boston, lower property costs and good housing stock, the City is now attracting reinvestment and new growth. Brockton has even seen the opening of the Commonwealth’s first minority owned brew pub, Brockton Beer.

Although most communities in eastern Massachusetts were able to take advantage of one of the biggest economic upticks in decades, Brockton’s growth was not guaranteed. It took political will, partnerships with state and Federal officials, and a unifying vision to jump start and sustain its growth. Additionally, it took an innovative strategy and the layering of incentives (the Seven Layer Dip) to make this effort a success.

At this Lunch and Learn, attendees will meet key individuals and learn how their partnership led to creating a vision and strategy to reinvent Brockton We will be discussing modern applications of Urban Renewal, District Infrastructure Financing, the Housing Development Incentive Program, Community Organizing, and Placemaking among other important topics.

The event includes a tour and discussion facilitated by Rob May – Brockton, Director of Planning and Economic Development, Rob has been with the City as Director since 2014 where was responsible for creating the Downtown Action Strategy, Blueprint for Brockton (city-wide comprehensive plan), Open Space and Recreation Plan and many others. Prior to his work in Brockton, he was Director of Economic Development for the City of Somerville, where he worked on the Assembly Square and Union Square redevelopment plans.

The program will include lunch and will be held on June 16th from 12:00 - 2:00 pm at the Brockton Beer Company, 121 Main Street, Brockton, MA. 02301 (508) 521-9711. Leave the car at home: the Brockton Beer Company is a 6-minute walk from the Brockton Train Station (Middleborough/Lakeville line)!

This is a free event for all paid members of APA- MA, MAPD, CPM and students! Nonmembers are only $20. Click here to register!

Not an APA-MA member yet? To join simply click here.

AICP members can earn 1.5 Certification Maintenance (CM) credits for this activity. More information about AICP’s CM program can be found at www.planning.org/cm

For further information contact Bill Nemser at Bnemser@townofmaynard.net.