Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies

Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies
Name	Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies
Formation	1972
Headquarters	Boston, Massachusetts
Region served	Massachusetts
Membership	Regional planning agencies

Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies The Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies is a statewide coalition of regional planning commissions, metropolitan planning organizations, and local county government representatives in Massachusetts. The association serves as a coordinating body among entities such as the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Bristol County, Essex County and other regional authorities to align planning related to transportation in Massachusetts, land use in Massachusetts, environmental protection in Massachusetts and economic development in Massachusetts. It liaises with state-level institutions including the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (Massachusetts), Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development and federal agencies such as the United States Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency.

History

The association was formed in the early 1970s in response to federal legislation like the Interstate Highway Act and the evolving role of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development in regional planning, joining forces with organizations such as the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and the Cape Cod Commission. Early collaborations included projects with the Federal Highway Administration, Economic Development Administration, and engagements tied to programs influenced by the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Water Act. Over decades the association has worked alongside entities including the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, and regional bodies such as the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission and Merrimack Valley Planning Commission to respond to policy shifts from administrations in Boston and directives from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Organization and Membership

Membership comprises regional entities such as the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, Montachusett Regional Planning Commission, Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and representatives from counties like Hampden County and Worcester County. The association organizes its board with delegates from commissions that interact with statewide actors such as the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, and the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Affiliate members have included academic partners like University of Massachusetts Amherst, research institutes such as the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, and nonprofit stakeholders including Massachusetts Audubon Society and the Conservation Law Foundation.

Functions and Activities

The association coordinates technical assistance and training similar to programs run by the American Planning Association and collaborates on planning tools used by the Federal Transit Administration and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It facilitates data sharing with sources such as the United States Census Bureau, MassGIS, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for projects related to coastal resilience in Massachusetts, floodplain management, and climate adaptation in New England. Activities include convening workshops with stakeholders like the Massachusetts Port Authority, the Boston Planning & Development Agency, and regional transit authorities such as the Greater Lynn Transit Authority and the Cape Ann Transportation Authority.

Policy and Advocacy

The association advocates before legislative bodies including the Massachusetts General Court and executive agencies such as the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (Massachusetts), often aligning positions with organizations like the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance, and the Regional Plan Association. Advocacy topics intersect with statutes and programs like the Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and state initiatives such as the Green Communities Act. It provides policy analysis for federal funding programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and engages in rulemaking discussions with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Highway Administration.

Funding and Governance

Funding streams traditionally include grants from federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Transportation, state contracts with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, membership dues from regional commissions, and project-specific revenue from foundations including the Barr Foundation and the Kresge Foundation. Governance follows a board structure with representation from regional planning commission directors, echoing governance models used by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and the Regional Plan Association. Financial oversight involves audits consistent with standards from the Government Accountability Office and grants management practices under the Office of Management and Budget.

Major Programs and Initiatives

Major initiatives have included regional comprehensive planning efforts akin to those by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and collaborative resilience programs with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management and the Metro Mayors Coalition. The association has coordinated interagency efforts on transit-oriented development with partners such as Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and the Boston Redevelopment Authority, led technical assistance for brownfield remediation projects linked to the Environmental Protection Agency brownfields program, and supported emergency preparedness planning in cooperation with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Research and pilot programs have drawn on data from the United States Geological Survey, climate projections from the Northeast Regional Climate Center, and modeling tools used by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.

Category:Organizations based in Massachusetts