Report highlights economic growth potential for region north of Boston

A report issued by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council highlights the potential for economic growth in a region stretching from the Boston neighborhoods of East Boston and Charlestown to Malden and Melrose.

The “Metro North Land Use Priority Plan: Planning Ahead for Growth in Metro North Communities” says the region has many valuable assets, including relatively high job-growth potential and a well-connected transportation system.

The report also cites a number of obstacles, however, such as antiquated infrastructure, traffic congestion and “the burden of its industrial past.”

One of the key elements in the region-wide project is for the municipalities to work “in concert” on each priority, according to Eric Halvorsen, an MAPC project manager.

“They might look at how a municipality would like to develop a mix of uses while encouraging more residential housing development,” Halvorsen said.

He cited a hypothetical example of an old industrial parcel that might be ripe for mixed-use development.

“We would want to work in partnership with the municipality to help them where we can by doing some of the site-specific planning exercises that could lead to new zoning,” Halvorsen said.

The report came out around the time that a new Orange Line subway station opened in Somerville’s Assembly Sqaure. Several Silver Line bus stops are planned in Chelsea, linking riders to Logan Airport and downtown Boston. The Silver Line will end at a relocated commuter-rail station in Chelsea.

Other communities analyzed in the report are Everett, Medford, Revere and Winthrop.

The report, which was compiled with support from the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, can be downloaded at www.mapc.org.