Posted on March 10, 2026
BOSTON --- MHP’s Center for Housing Data has produced a research brief that explores housing density and development patterns relative to water, sewer, and transit service.
Land Use and Infrastructure in Massachusetts provides a baseline understanding of how land in Massachusetts is used relative to critical infrastructure and provides an argument for an Office of State Planning by laying out the critical importance of comprehensive approaches to state policy problems.
The brief is part of MHP’s Coordinated Commonwealth initiative, which knits together policy priorities across housing, land use, climate, environmental protection, transportation, and economic health.
Here are the report’s key findings:
- Over one-third of all Massachusetts land is dedicated to residential uses.
- The vast majority of land in Massachusetts (80 percent) does not have piped water and sewer connections and is not in close proximity (0.5 mile) to transit. Residential neighborhoods located in these areas tend to be more sprawling in their development patterns with residents who are car-dependent.
- Just 8 percent of land benefits from water/sewer infrastructure and proximity to transit service. These areas tend to have higher density developments but still have remaining opportunities for development and redevelopment.
- Most existing small multifamily properties in Massachusetts were built nearly a century ago, with development in recent years favoring single-family homes and larger multifamily.
The report leverages these insights about land use and infrastructure to make the case for a stronger and more consistent comprehensive state planning function in Massachusetts.
The more critical intersections between housing, infrastructure, land use, climate, transportation, and economic development are studied and understood, the better positioned Massachusetts will be to make coordinated progress on high-priority policy goals, such as expanding the housing supply, reducing carbon emissions, and creating a high-mobility transit network.
Questions? Comments? Reach out to the Director of the Center for Housing Data Tom Hopper.
For press inquiries, contact MHP Communications Manager Lisa Braxton.