Elevating New England Communities for a Brighter Tomorrow

The heart of every thriving community lies in thoughtful, inclusive, and strategic urban planning. Our New England Land Planning Team, headquartered in Watertown, MA, is dedicated to crafting environments that foster equity, sustainability, economic growth, attainable housing, and vibrant public spaces. Discover how our comprehensive approach to urban planning enhances communities to improve multimodal mobility, spur economic development, and balance infrastructure needs with environmental stewardship.

Developing Innovative Housing Solutions

Housing is a fundamental human need, and we take seriously our role in addressing housing challenges. We’ve partnered with Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) and Massachusetts Housing Financing Agency (MassHousing) to help communities identify areas suitable for new housing, explore financing options, update zoning bylaws to encourage thoughtful development, and create conceptual site plans. Whether it’s developing affordable housing, revitalizing neighborhoods, or designing mixed-use developments, our team leverages innovative strategies to meet New England residents’ diverse housing needs. 

Driving Economic Development

A strong, dynamic economy is the backbone of any vibrant community. We work closely with private developers, economic development industrial corporations (EDICs), and state agencies like MassDevelopment to explore avenues for municipalities to attract investment, support local businesses, and create job opportunities. We carefully consider short- and long-term effects of economic development on surrounding neighborhoods and work to establish partnerships between developers and communities.

Elevating Equitable Development for All

Equity is a core element of our planning philosophy. In completing projects like comprehensive plans and digital equity plans, we have honed our public outreach and engagement strategies to make certain we are addressing the needs of underrepresented and vulnerable populations. From affordable housing to accessible infrastructure, we are committed to creating cities where everyone feels at home.

Advocating for Sustainability

VHB's Land Planning Team consistently works with internal and external professionals to integrate green practices and principles into projects, aiming for a balance between urban growth and environmental stewardship. We often conduct site due diligence and work with municipal staff to identify environmental constraints or hazards, which allows us to help communities to identify sustainable and resilient solutions.

Crafting Engaging Placemaking

Placemaking transforms spaces into places where people want to live, work, and play. Our team specializes in designing public spaces that are vibrant, interactive, and reflective of the community’s culture and identity. From parks and plazas to streetscapes and waterfronts, our placemaking efforts encourage social interaction, cultural expression, and community pride.