Transforming Boston: From Basket Case to Innovation Hub Program 3—The New Economy: Eds and Meds, 1980s to Today

Note: This program will take place at the MIT Stata Center (Vassar Street near Main), room 33-123. This is a four minute walk from the Kendall Square MBTA station or there is a parking garage at the Marriot Hotel in Kendall Square. 

Universities and hospitals have long been the bedrock of strong communities. However, in the second half of the 20th century the elite institutions also became incredible wealth generators. With research grants, pharmaceutical contracts, and bio-tech money on the table, this became a frenetically competitive market and the top institutions looked to secure their position through expansion. However, this expansion displaced residents and the new wealth brought into the city increased economic pressure on neighboring communities. The explosion of bio-technology and the innovation economy has swelled tax rolls but also created the challenge of harnessing this new wealth to benefit the entire population.

Panelists:
Anthony Pangaro, Millennium Partners
Barbara Rubel, Tufts University
Peter Kiang, UMass Boston
Kathy Spiegelman, Northeastern University

Moderated by Kairos Shen, former BRA 

We are grateful to our underwriter The Architectural Heritage Foundation (AHF) and our contributors The Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston and The Boston Area Research Initiative (BARI) for helping to make these programs possible.

• The Architectural Heritage Foundation is thrilled to be invited to contribute to MHS’s efforts to understand this critical period of transformation in Boston’s recent past and in particular is providing this support in acknowledgment of the efforts and commitment of its founder, Roger Webb, to the great city of Boston and to helping to turn it around by helping to preserve and save some of the City's most enduring architectural icons.

Non-Profit Partners: 
Boston Architectural College
Architectural Studies Program of the History of Art and Architecture Department at Boston University
MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning
University of Massachusetts Boston