City of Somerville Unveils First-of-Its-Kind Guide to Transforming Private Land into Public Spaces

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City’s Public Space and Urban Forestry (PSUF) Division, is announcing the release of the Civic Space Design Guide, that provides a framework for developers and municipalities to collaborate to create Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS) that serve and welcome all Somerville residents and visitors.

“Somerville is leading by example with this guide, which represents our commitment to innovation in public space and community building,” said Mayor Ballantyne. “The Civic Space Design Guide is the first of its kind, a resource that not only elevates how development can contribute to our city but also sets a standard we hope other municipalities will adopt. We’re creating spaces that are welcoming to everyone and enhancing the quality of life for all who live, work, and visit Somerville.”

While Somerville’s dense settlement limits opportunities to buy and create new open spaces, development areas offer substantial potential for increasing open space through POPS. These spaces, which have been utilized in urban areas across the United States since the 1960s, can provide valuable public areas within private developments. 

However, research has shown that POPS can sometimes feel exclusionary or unwelcoming due to factors like security presence, lack of family-friendly amenities, or designs that disconnect these areas from broader civic spaces. The Civic Space Design Guide addresses these challenges by establishing clear principles for POPS that ensure accessibility, inclusivity, and integration with Somerville’s public space network.

"Because open space is so crucial to the vitality of Somerville and all cities, we cannot afford to create what we call ‘latte parks,’ which are spaces where people feel they need to buy an expensive drink to belong,” said PSUF Director Luisa Oliveira. “Our guide emphasizes that even when a developer is designing a parcel in front of their building, that space must serve the entire community as part of Somerville’s larger network of parks and civic areas. POPS in Somerville must be read as genuinely public, inclusive spaces designed for the diverse needs of our residents.”

The City recently celebrated the opening of a new POPs space, Boynton Yards Park, which features  thoughtfully designed amenities to create an inviting public gathering space for neighborhood residents, workers, and visitors alike. Click here for photos of the ribbon cutting ceremony and the finished park.

The guide serves as a resource for developers, design consultants, and the community, reinforcing the City’s commitment to creating meaningful public spaces as part of its broader SomerVision 2040 goals, which include adding over 100 acres of open space across Somerville. It complements the Somerville Zoning Ordinance by clearly defining PSUF’s role as a partner in the design and construction process, ensuring POPS are vibrant, high-quality spaces that serve the public.

The Civic Space Design Guide is available to the public on the SomerVoice page: voice.somervillema.gov/pops, where visitors can access the policy document and an interactive map of POPS in Somerville.

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.