Welcome From the Chair of the Boston Conference Committee. "Revolutionary Ideas" is the theme for this year's National conference that is being held in Boston. For the past 350 years, revolutionary ideas, in education, public services, business, open space, planning, design and other aspects of the American way of life have been a part of the Boston tradition.

In April 1998, over 4000 planners will convene in Boston for the National conference of the American Planning Association to focus on those revolutionary ideas that the planning profession has been implementing. And, just a few short years before the millennium, we will look at the revolutionary ideas that will carry planning into the 21st century.

With more than 190 sessions, over 80 mobile workshops, and a variety of tracks on planning commissioner and student related topics, neighborhood planning, professional development, small town and rural planning, and children's education, there is a topic to meet everyone's interest.

The mobile workshops will not only provide an intimate look at Boston, but will offer an opportunity to examine planning issues throughout New England as well. Workshops will be leaving Boston for cities and towns from Maine to Connecticut and points in between.

But for most people, Boston will be the focus of their experience. And what a great experience it will be. Although one of the smaller of the major American cities, based on its population and geographic area, it grandeur, based on its 350 years of history, is truly impressive.

Form the Boston Common, the oldest public park in America, to the nooks and crannies of the historic Beacon Hill area; from Faneuil Hall/Quincy Marketplace, where peddlers and politicians have co-existed for centuries, to the African Meeting House, the oldest Black church still standing in the country, Boston offers a complete experience for those interested in history, architecture, design and intimate city living.

Building such as the Boston Public Library, the oldest public library, Trinity Church, one of the grandest of church buildings, and Charles Bullfinch's State House; neighborhoods like Chinatown, the Italian North End, South Boston, Charlestown, and the Back Bay, Frederick Law Olmstead's "Emerald Necklace" of parks and open space; large urban developments built over the Massachusetts Turnpike, such as the Prudential Center and Copley Place (site of the APA Conference) are all awaiting your discovery.

But Boston is not just about the past. While many have heard about "The Big Dig", the largest public construction project in the country, you will be able to experience it first hand. There are multiple sessions related to this project, as well as mobile workshops. But just exploring Boston will bring you into contact with the massive construction underway.

The City is looking forward to, and preparing for, the 21st Century. In the works is the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, to be located in the South Boston waterfront area, the designated locus for much of the future growth of the urban core of the City. This area is the subject of the on-going South Boston Seaport Master Plan. Hotels, a federal courthouse, the convention center, a continuation of the harborwalk, new streetscapes and public transportation services are all a part of the plan.

The Boston 400 plan, looking to the commemoration of Boston's 400th birthday in 2030, is the City's master planning process aimed at building on the City's assets to strengthen the public realm, its economy and its environment to ensure its continuing status as a livable city.

The conference site also offers the opportunity to visit some of Boston's "streetcar suburbs". Neighboring cities and towns such as Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, Somerville and others offer their own interesting history, neighborhoods and institutions as well as charming and vibrant shopping and restaurants. Visit Harvard Square in Cambridge, Davis Square in Somerville, explore the campuses of Harvard University and MIT.

Exploring is easy here. Take the "T", the Boston subway system. For 85 cents you can go practically anywhere.

It's also a walkable city, although rarely in a straight line. The roads, and sidewalks, were laid out following old cow paths, Native American trails and long-gone shorelines. Getting "lost" is part of the enjoyment of discovering the City.

Boston's 100,000+ students also bring a liveliness and diversity to the city that keeps its spirit young. A very active arts scene, world class theater, the best in dining experiences, great museums and a world of history all await you at the conference.

Explore Boston and see three hundred years of revolutionary ideas in practice. Explore the conference offerings and share your revolutionary ideas about the future.

On behalf of the Host Committee, I welcome to you to Boston.

Robert P. Mitchell, AICP <BR> Chair, Boston Conference Committee