National GIS conference showcases MHP’s leadership and innovation in housing policy and analysis

BOSTON --- MHP’s Center for Housing Data (CHD) recently shared with planning directors across the country how it brought data-driven processes and tools to state-level zoning reform in Massachusetts.

The Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (Esri), the global market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, invited CHD Director Tom Hopper to give a presentation at the 2025 Esri Planning Directors Summit in West Palm Beach, Florida.

In Hopper’s talk, “Simplifying Residential Density for Smart Land Use Planning,” he explained how CHD’s Residensity interactive mapping tool played a central role in the creation and implementation of the MBTA Communities Law and how Residensity is being used as a public engagement tool to empower communities to visualize development.

“Municipalities have used Residensity to see what parts of their town already have dense housing or where there might be some good development opportunities,” Hopper said. “Many of these planners and public officials used Residensity to locate properties in their communities that are at least 15 units per acre to show community members that this zoning would enable more of what they already have, and not something completely out of context.”

He added that Residensity is designed to help people understand residential density in an interactive and digestible way. By showing users how density shapes their own neighborhoods, Residensity helps community members and local leaders bring accurate information to tough conversations about local planning.

In addition to the Summit, Esri featured Hopper on its podcast, Reinventing Planning, which gives listeners access to community development industry leaders and planning professionals driving innovative projects with GIS.

During the interview with host Keith Cooke, Hopper said:

• CHD’s web-based Transit-Oriented Development Explorer TODEX helped shape public opinion and receptivity for zoning reform related to transit.

• CHD’s analysis and recommendations shaped the rules and requirements of the MBTA Communities Law and the team led the development of the model used to determine compliance fairly across a diverse group of communities.

• MHP’s technical assistance program helped almost all of the communities who were subject to the law to come into compliance.

• The benefits of the MBTA Communities Law will still be felt for several years, both as projects continue to be permitted and as local advocates who were mobilized by the law turn their attention to additional zoning and affordable housing efforts.

• “We’ve been able to make a lot of great connections with professionals across the country who are trying to address the same issues,” Hopper said about the Summit and podcast, “and we’re energetic about leveraging those connections to learn about best practices and share our experiences.”

In 2024 Esri honored CHD with a Special Achievement Award for its precedent-setting work in the GIS community and the geographic insights it brought to the implementation of the MBTA Communities Law.

For press inquiries, contact MHP Communications Manager Lisa Braxton.