We are a group of Cambridge residents who are proud of Cambridge's vibrant and diverse urban character. The culture of our lively squares, unique local businesses, openness to innovation, and commitment to sustainable living make our city one of the most desirable places in the world. We believe that to sustain and nourish the Cambridge we love, we must encourage smart growth that expands housing opportunities, builds local business, and provides greater mobility for residents and visitors in our city.

We oppose counter-productive policies like the downzoning of Central Square, but instead we believe that new development can play an important role in protecting the diversity and economic vitality of Cambridge. We believe downzoning will hurt our ability to create the variety of housing types that are needed to meet the needs of all Cambridge families. With such high demand for housing in Cambridge, restricting the development of new low and middle-income housing could force out the working families, seniors, small business owners, artists, and others residents who make our city great.

We support policies that help make Cambridge more livable. We want to live in a city that provides people the opportunity to live, work, and shop in the same neighborhood. When developed appropriately, dense housing serves the varied needs of Cambridge’s diverse households, helping us meet the high demand for market rate housing while expanding our ability to create affordable 3 or 4 bedroom apartments for families with children or multiple generations. Building a mix of activities in our neighborhoods can reduce traffic on the roads and rails by allowing more people to walk or bike to access their jobs, schools, parks, entertainment, healthcare and other services. Smart growth aligns with Cambridge’s carbon reduction goals thanks to reduced automobile emissions and compact building forms that use less fossil fuels to heat and cool.

Our vision of Cambridge growing thoughtfully is a vision that brings together the many types of people that live, work, and play in Cambridge. It embraces diversity of income, ethnicity, age, ability, and social preferences. Providing opportunities for our community to grow sustainably will foster creativity, innovation, and social interaction. We hope you will join us in planning together for a shared and vibrant future.