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Pilot Program
CitySmart began as a pilot program to test how social marketing affects transportation choices. We hoped to shift approximately 10% of single-occupant vehicle trips to more sustainable modes, such as walking, bicycling and transit.
/CDD/Transportation/CitySmart/citysmartpilotprogram
Chapter 90 Contract 11
Includes Brattle St, Prospect St, Middlesex St, Cedar St, Cameron Ave, Municipal Lot #2
/CDD/Projects/trafficcalming/chapter90contract11
Watson Street Lot
The City of Cambridge established a pollinator garden at the vacant lot at the corner of Brookline and Watson Streets in anticipation of future open space improvements.
/CDD/Projects/Parks/brooklinewatsonlot
City of Cambridge Becomes the First City in New England to Work with BlocPower on Building Decarbonization
The City of Cambridge and BlocPower announced a new pilot partnership to help multifamily buildings upgrade with energy efficiency, rooftop solar, and more comfortable, all-electric heating, cooling, and hot water systems. Supporting buildings in completing such upgrades is an important step in achieving the goals of Cambridge’s Net Zero Action Plan, including the city’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050.
/CDD/News/2023/4/cityandblocpowerpartnershiponbuildingdecarbonization
35 Cherry Street
The Cherry Street lot at 35 Cherry Street was acquired by the City as the result of a real estate development agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) involving a number of parcels in an adjacent sector of the Main Street corridor.
/CDD/Projects/Housing/cherrystreetlot
For Food Truck Applicants
This page describes the eligibility criteria and application process for food truck vendors interested in applying to the City of Cambridge Food Truck Pilot
/CDD/economicopportunityanddevelopment/smallbusinessassistance/smallbusinessprograms/foodb...
Food Business Basics Program
The City of Cambridge Community Development Department (CDD) is launching a new program for Cambridge residents who have a passion for food and a dream of owning a business, but a lot of questions about combining the two.
/CDD/News/2024/2/foodbusinessbasicsprogram
71 Cherry Street
The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA), in partnership with the Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House (MFNH), plans to develop a portion of the MFNH lot, located at 71 Cherry Street, into new affordable homeownership units. This development will happen in conjunction with the revitalization of the MFNH. The CRA plans on creating these new housing units under the provisions of the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO).
/CDD/Projects/Housing/71cherrystreet
240 Broadway (Broadway Park)
Just A Start (JAS) is planning to create new affordable rental housing on an existing JAS-controlled site located at 243 Broadway in the Port neighborhood. Known as Broadway Park, the site is currently an existing parking lot and will be developed in conjunction with another new JAS project, 37 Brookline Street, as a scattered-site affordable rental housing project. The new housing at both Broadway Park and 37 Brookline Street will be built to Passive House standards, ensuring maximum energy efficiency.
/CDD/Projects/Housing/240broadwaybroadwaypark
Charles Park
A passive park near the Charles River and the Cambridgeside Galleria between Cambridge Parkway and Land Boulevard near its intersection with Rogers Street. This park also includes a small tot-lot that was renovated in 2005.
/CDD/parks/parksinfo/Parks/charlespark
Mt. Auburn Street Bus Priority Pilot
Cambridge, in partnership with Watertown, was awarded a community grant from the Barr Foundation to work with the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) to pilot bus priority improvements for routes 71 and 73 along Mt. Auburn Street west of Fresh Pond Parkway. The demonstration project includes the first dedicated bus lanes in Cambridge and new bike lanes, as well as transit signal priority. It uses temporary materials like paint and signs, which will remain in place during the evaluation, and is the first step towards implementing a long-term plan for the Mt. Auburn corridor.
/CDD/Transportation/projects/completedprojects/mtauburnstreetbusprioritydemonstration
Town Gown, PILOT and Institutional Planning
Learn about about institutional planning in Cambridge and view the current Town Gown Reports from Cambridge College, Harvard University, Lesley University, and MIT
/CDD/planud/institutionalplanning
Cambridge Launches Grant Pilot for Nightlife and Entertainment Businesses
Apply to the Cambridge Nightlife Industry and Thriving Entertainment Spaces (NITES) Grant! The Cambridge NITES grant is aimed at supporting the nightlife and entertainment industry in Cambridge by providing up to $5,000 awards for outdoor, nighttime events during the month of June.
/CDD/News/2025/3/nitesgrant
Costa Lopez Park
Costa Lopez Taylor Park is located on Charles Street in East Cambridge and includes a new "pocket park" space with community gardens created in 2008.
/CDD/parks/parksinfo/Parks/costalopezpark
City of Cambridge Food Truck Program
The City of Cambridge Food Truck Program is designed to provide entrepreneurial opportunities for food truck operators, provide more diverse food options in targeted areas, and bring additional street level amenities to Cambridge public spaces.
/CDD/economicopportunityanddevelopment/smallbusinessassistance/smallbusinessprograms/foodb...
52 New Street
Just A Start (JAS) is constructing 106 units of affordable housing on an underutilized parcel immediately adjacent to Danehy Park in Neighborhood Nine.
/CDD/Projects/Housing/52newstreet
Succession Planning
The Economic Opportunity and Development Division offers resources for small business owners planning and thinking about succession planning.
/CDD/economicopportunityanddevelopment/smallbusinessassistance/smallbusinessprograms/succe...
Park Projects
Park projects and planning efforts currently underway or recently completed.
/CDD/parks/parksprojects
Cambridge Zones for Multifamily Housing Citywide
On February 10, 2025, the Cambridge City Council voted to adopt zoning amendments that allow multifamily housing in all Cambridge neighborhoods.
/CDD/News/2025/2/zoningformultifamilyhousingcitywide
Multifamily Citywide
In March 2024, the City Council passed Policy Order 2024 #37, which asked the Community Development Department “to work with the chairs of the Housing Committee to create zoning language that effectively promotes multifamily housing, including income-restricted affordable housing with the goal of having viable housing for everyone especially lower-income residents.” A series of Housing Committee meetings will be held to discuss the proposal throughout the summer and fall of 2024. Additional information will be posted here as the proposal is developed.
/CDD/Projects/Zoning/multifamilyhousing
Russell Field
This North Cambridge park is bordered by Rindge Avenue, Clifton Street, Harvey Street, and the W.R. Grace property. The Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School football team plays its games here. The park also contains two Little League fields and a soccer field.
/CDD/parks/parksinfo/Parks/russellfield
Neighborhood Energy Port Walking Tour
Want to learn more about clean energy and climate opportunities in the Port? Join us for a walking tour highlighting renewable energy, critical facilities, and climate change vulnerabilities on April 24th! We will meet at Clement Morgan Park to start the tour at 2:00 PM. We can’t wait to chat with you about climate preparedness, clean energy, and our new Cambridge microgrid project, all while strolling through The (beautiful) Port – see you there!
/CDD/Calendar/2022/04/24/neighborhoodenergyportwalkingtour
Transit Service Analysis Study
Buses in Cambridge operate on the street network in mixed traffic, exposing bus passengers to the same delay from congestion as drivers of single occupancy vehicles. The Transit Service Analysis Study used a data driven approach to assess bus routes in Cambridge to prioritize locations for bus priority street treatments.
/CDD/Projects/Transportation/transitserviceanalysisstudy
Franklin Street Park
The award winning Franklin Street Park is located on the block between Hancock and Bay Streets in the Riverside neighborhood. Park renovations were completed in 2003.
/CDD/parks/parksinfo/Parks/franklinstpark
Squirrel Brand
The Squirrel Brand project includes several buildings, historic preservation, and adaptive reuse to convert the former candy factory into 18 affordable rental units.
/CDD/Projects/Housing/squirrelbrand
35 Cherry Street Begins Construction
Construction begins at 35 Cherry Street, the first homeownership project developed under the Affordable Housing Overlay.
/CDD/News/2025/12/35cherrystreetbeginsconstruction
Farmers Markets
Did you know that you can find a farmers market operating almost every day of the week in Cambridge during the warm weather months? Use the Farmers Market map as resource for more information.
/CDD/parks/farmersmarkets
Other Data Sources
Other data sources for statistical analysis and research.
/CDD/factsandmaps/othercitydatasources
Massachusetts Names City of Cambridge a Climate Leader Community
Cambridge is proud to announce that it is one of just 19 Massachusetts communities to have achieved Climate Leader Community certification from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. This certification recognizes how far the city has come in setting and meeting rigorous requirements to become carbon neutral by 2050.
/CDD/News/2025/5/massachusettsnamescityofcambridgeaclimateleadercommunity
Citywide Multifamily Housing Proposal Information Sessions
The Cambridge City Council is discussing a proposed set of changes to allow multifamily housing in all neighborhoods of the city. Attend information sessions to learn more and provide input.
/CDD/News/2024/10/citywidemultifamilyhousingproposalinformationsessions
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Buildings in Cambridge are responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than transportation and waste combined, or over 80% of the city’s total emissions.
/CDD/climateandenergy/energyefficiencyandrenewableenergy
New Small Business Succession Planning Program
The City of Cambridge Community Development Department (CDD) is launching a new program for Cambridge business owners interested in getting their business ready to be sold or transferred to your family, an employee, or someone else.
/CDD/News/2024/3/smallbusinesssuccessionplanningprogram
Zoning FAQ
View our new Cambridge Zoning FAQ here to help you navigate the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance.
/CDD/zoninganddevelopment/Resources/zoningfaq
New Affordable Housing at 52 New Street
Wingate Properties is processing applications from prospective tenants for new affordable rental housing at 52 New Street.
/CDD/News/2025/10/newaffordablehousingat52newstreet
Specialized Stretch Energy Code
Cambridge adopted the Specialized Stretch Energy Code in January 2023, which requires builders, for both new construction and major renovations, to meet high performance standards, prepare buildings for all-electric heating and hot water systems, and make parking facilities ready for electric vehicle charging equipment.
/CDD/zoninganddevelopment/sustainabledevelopment/stretchcode
Brookline Street
Brookline Street reconstruction project, completed Fall 2010, included sidewalk replacement, repaving, and replacement of the water and sewer lines. Design improvements included traffic calming, safer pedestrian crossings, bicycle lanes and the addition of many more street trees.
/CDD/Transportation/projects/completedprojects/brooklinestreet
Planning Studies
The Community Development Departments collaborates with other City departments to conduct planning studies of varying scales, often with goals to rezone, solve a particular problem, or create documentation of a topic.
/CDD/planud/planningstudies
Transportation Data
Journey to Work and related data about commuting and transportation patterns in Cambridge.
/CDD/factsandmaps/transportationdata
Climate Change and Air Quality
The Vehicle Trip Reduction Ordinance was enacted in 1992 in response to increasing concerns about the impact on air quality caused by driving.
/CDD/Transportation/programs/stratagiesandpolicies/climatechangeandairquality
4 Mellen St / 1627 Mass Ave
Renovation and new construction of affordable housing proposed under the 100% Affordable Housing Overlay
/CDD/Projects/Housing/1627massave
Bus Priority
bus priority projects
/CDD/Transportation/regionalplanning/masstransit/buspriority
Coolidge Place Land Disposition
Cambridge is undertaking a process to consider disposition of public land on Coolidge Place, in Central Square near Massachusetts Avenue and Douglass Street.
/CDD/Projects/Planning/coolidgepllanddisposition
Watertown-Cambridge Greenway
A multi-use path that follows a former railroad right-of-way from Fresh Pond in Cambridge and to Arlington Street in Watertown.
/CDD/Transportation/projects/completedprojects/watertowncambridgegreenway
Planning for Off Leash Dogs
Over the past several years the City of Cambridge has been continually working with residents to explore strategies for dogs to be off leash in city parks and open spaces while also considering the wider community’s open space needs.
/CDD/parks/osplanning/offleash/planningforoffleashuse
Mid-Cambridge Action Plan
A project page for the Mid-Cambridge Action Plan. Part of the Neighborhood Planning Initiative.
/CDD/planud/NPI/midcambridgeactionplan
Neighborhood Nine Action Plan
A project page for the Neighborhood Nine Action Plan. Part of the Neighborhood Planning Initiative.
/CDD/planud/NPI/neighborhoodnineactionplan
Wellington-Harrington Action Plan
A project page for the Wellington-Harrington Action Plan. Part of the Neighborhood Planning Initiative.
/CDD/planud/NPI/wellingtonharringtonactionplan
Cambridge Street Code
Whether you walk, bike, drive, or use public transportation, you play an active role in the transportation system. In order for this system to function well, each person must follow the rules, pay attention, and be patient and courteous.
/CDD/Transportation/gettingaroundcambridge/cambridgestreetcode
Safe Routes to School
Webpage for the Cambridge Safe Routes to School program to support and encourage students who wish to walk or bike to school.
/CDD/Transportation/gettingaroundcambridge/saferoutestoschool
Off Leash Dogs in Cambridge Parks
In recent years there has been increased interest expressed by the public in providing legal opportunities for dogs to be off leash in certain city parks and public open spaces.
/CDD/parks/osplanning/offleash
Carshare
Carsharing gives Cambridge residents a transportation option that complements the city’s robust transit, bicycling, and walking networks. Carshare members get the benefit of a private car without the cost and responsibility owning one.
/CDD/Transportation/gettingaroundcambridge/bycar/carshare
Special Permits
Information about the Planning Board Special Permit Process and downloadable copy of the application form. Also links to active and completed special permit documents.
/CDD/zoninganddevelopment/developmentreview/specialpermits
Directions
Directions to Community Development Department offices
/CDD/Directions
Zoning Maps
City of Cambridge zoning and land use maps
/CDD/zoninganddevelopment/Zoning/Maps
Hubway Basics Workshops
Learn the rules of the road for biking in an urban setting. Learn how to use the Hubway Bike Share system.
/CDD/Calendar/2017/04/26/hubwaybasicsworkshop
Bicycle Workshops
The City of Cambridge offers free bicycle training workshops throughout the year for people who work or live in Cambridge. Updated often!
/CDD/Transportation/gettingaroundcambridge/bikesincambridge/bicycleworkshops
Urban Cycling Basics - Healthy Aging in Cambridge
Are you interested in learning how to bicycle around the city of Cambridge? Join us and learn the rules of the road, strategies for riding safely and tips for comfort!
/CDD/Calendar/2016/05/19/urbancyclingbasicshealthyagingincambridge
On-Bicycle Refresher Course
Do you know how to ride a bike, but are a little nervous to ride on the road? This is the course for you!
/CDD/Calendar/2016/05/14/onbicyclerefreshercourse
Bicycle Maintenance Basics Workshop
Learn how to fix a flat, adjust your brakes and much more. Come to one or best sessions!
/CDD/Calendar/2016/05/25/bicyclemaintenancebasicsworkshop
Bicycle Maintenance Basics Workshop
Learn how to fix a flat, adjust your brakes and much more. Come to one or best sessions!
/CDD/Calendar/2016/05/25/bicyclemaintenancebeyondbasicsworkshop
Rules of the Road
Learn about the rules of the road in Massachusetts, whether you drive, bike, or walk.
/CDD/Transportation/rulesoftheroad
Bluebikes Bike Share
The City jointly owns the Bluebikes bike share system with Boston, Brookline, Everett, and Somerville. New communities include Arlington, Chelsea, Newton, Revere and Watertown.
/CDD/Transportation/gettingaroundcambridge/bikesincambridge/bikeshare
Community Compact for a Sustainable Future
The City of Cambridge, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology signed a historic “Community Compact for a Sustainable Future” aimed at leveraging the intellectual and entrepreneurial capacity of the business, non-profit, education, and municipal sectors in Cambridge to contribute to a healthy, livable and sustainable future.
/CDD/climateandenergy/climatechangeplanning/climateprotectionactioncommittee/communitycomp...