From artisanal bread makers to robotics companies, small-scale manufacturers are helping revitalize and add vibrancy to urban economies. However, municipal land use policies have not always been updated to accommodate the needs of 21st century urban manufacturers.

This report serves as an analysis of land use and real estate policies affecting industrial activity in seven Massachusetts cities, and explores a range of planning approaches that are preserving their manufacturing heritage – from artisan zoning to the right-sizing of space within historic industrial buildings. In the report, we highlight these approaches through a series of case studies from across Greater Boston that are harmonizing land use and development policies with the needs of today’s light manufacturers. It illustrates how light manufactures are successfully incorporated into the fabric of mixed use neighborhoods, and the various cross-sector partnerships that are helping to create the spaces for these businesses to scale over time. After releasing the report in January in Somerville at Greentown Labs, we are doing an encore performance online to bring it to UMA’s national network.

Our speakers include: Amanda Maher, VP Real Estate Services – MassDevelopment, Johnny Magdaleno, Communications Manager – UMA, Eric Strickland, Board Director and Executive Director of Riley Area Development Corporation – UMA. 

You can read the full report using the web address below and please come prepared to ask questions! Full report: https://www.urbanmfg.org/project/massdevelopment-report/.