Retail Strategic Plan

2024-2025 Post-Pandemic Commercial District Study

The purpose of the Commercial District Post-Pandemic Study is to better understand Cambridge’s current retail economic landscape. The study identified possible trends, assessed the surrounding trade area, and evaluated the potential of each business district. It also recommended possible district- and citywide programs and policies to support small businesses and commercial areas in the post-pandemic economy. The data in the study will help inform the City of Cambridge Community Development Department on economic recovery decisions and will help guide commercial district placemaking strategies, economic development work planning, and small business recruitment efforts.

In summer 2024, CDD hired Cambridge Econometrics and Agency Landscape + Planning to develop this report. The report is split into two sections – section one, focuses on citywide trends, competitive areas, and a review of the City’s programmatic response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Section two is a focus on Cambridge’s major districts. The district profiles examine each of Cambridge’s commercial districts in terms of their current business environment and market demand. The report also reviews their physical characteristics and infrastructure that support each district’s competitiveness and vibrancy.

2017 Study Overview

The goal of the 2017 Retail Strategic Plan was to develop a strategy of best practice policies and programs that will support and enhance the ground level active use and retail environment in Cambridge. City staff worked with the consultant Larisa Ortiz Associates (LOA) to craft this strategy by understanding the City’s current retail landscape and analyzing expected development potential and retail trends. View the Retail Strategic Plan's final report here. 

Additional reports, presentations, and meeting notes are available in the Documents tab below.