On May 22, The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) Boston Chapter will host its annual Governmental Luncheon at the Seaport Hotel in Boston at 11:30 a.m. The key note address will be provided by Brian Golden, director of the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA). The BPDA is a Massachusetts public agency that serves as the municipal planning and development agency for the city of Boston overseeing housing and commercial developments. It was known formerly as the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

In 2016, the agency underwent a name and organization change. To make a big change, you need to think big. So the city administration created an overarching strategy for the agency around driving inclusivity in a changing city while encouraging engagement among all citizens. They focused on planning and emphasized a big-picture view to promote the future success of Boston. This thinking led to the new BRA vision–with four key pillars to activate the strategy–as well as a new brand identity.

The Boston Redevelopment Authority needed a new name. After much strenuous debate, the organization now calls itself the Boston Planning & Development Agency, or BPDA, to better identify what the agency is and what it does. 

The new focus of the BPDA would be to help Bostonians live, work, and connect and would focus on four key pillars: engage communities, implement new solutions, partner for greater impact, and track progress. Each of these had an internal and external focus to ensure that the public-facing brand is mirrored internally with new ways of working within the BPDA.

On September 27^th, 2016, during his speech to the Greater Boston chamber of commerce, mayor Walsh publicly announced the new BPDA and its key initiatives. “The Boston Planning & Development Agency will be modern and state of the art, it will understand what cities of today and tomorrow need, and it will be innovative about shaping development toward those ends,” said mayor Walsh. “With the combination of global leadership and community passion we have in our city, we deserve nothing less and we are fully capable of achieving it. I’m excited about the new possibilities we can unlock together.”

Director Golden will provide insight into the early impact of how the organization is doing and the positive impact and new development projects currently underway. Including the number of new affordable units, the amount of new construction jobs, and the total number of new bike storage areas.

Director Golden will share the agency’s core missions of community-engaged planning and discuss the current regulations major real estate developers must consider in the thriving Boston real estate market. Following the keynote address from director Golden attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss current market trends…… what is the next “Seaport” in Boston?

For reservations to the luncheon, contact IREM Boston today!

IREM continues to set the standard for our industry and inspire others by providing thoughtful engaging educational resources and events. To stay connected and join this exceptional opportunity and all future events visit IREM Boston!

Nancy Reno, CPM, is vice president marketing & training at Housing Management Resources, Inc. AMO, and is IREM Boston Metropolitan Chapter No. 4’s 2019 chapter president, Boston.