WORCESTER—The city’s Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) has been awarded the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Award (for a large community) by the American Planning Association – Massachusetts Chapter (APA-MA).
The honor recognizes the department’s Worcester Now | Next plan, a two-year-long citywide initiative addressing a broad range of community priorities, including housing, economic opportunity, transportation, and natural resources.
“This recognition from APA-Massachusetts highlights the importance of the Worcester Now | Next comprehensive planning effort,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista in a press release. “Modernizing zoning for the 21st century and connecting land-use with transportation will have significant benefits and is long overdue. I want to congratulate and thank the EOED for its hard work and continued advocacy of innovative planning efforts.”
The “Now | Next” initiative is Worcester’s first citywide long-range plan in nearly 37 years. It offers a roadmap for coordinated development and evolution across all neighborhoods, aiming to blend past and present projects while setting a framework for future initiatives.
According to the APA-MA, the Comprehensive Plan Award honors plans or programs of exceptional merit, ranging from master plans and housing initiatives to environmental conservation efforts and economic development projects.
Worcester officials developed the “Now | Next” plan through extensive community engagement, ensuring it reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of residents. This inclusive approach contributed to its recognition as a model of innovative planning at the state level.
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