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Trolley Square

Photo: Mostue & Associates

Compact Development

Compact developments use less space yet provide more living area, thereby cutting energy consumption and development costs by taking advantage of economies of scale. They also help restore, invigorate and sustain environmentally-friendly development. With a mix of retail and residences, Trolley Square brings new life to the neighborhood, and makes the most of the available space with a higher density of residents (46 living units per acre).

Walkable Neighborhood

Making the streetscape safer and more inviting for walkers and bicyclists promotes physical activity and public health. The Trolley Square site is centered around an inner courtyard plaza that connects to a public park on the corner. Two pedestrian pathways link the site to the park and extend to the bike path and cross streets.

Smart Site

Proper site selection takes advantage of access to existing infrastructure and community amenities. It is also an opportunity to revitalize and redevelop brownfields and to fill gaps left by underutilized land and empty parcels. Trolley Square is conveniently located in an urban area near community services and within a quarter mile of mass transportation, including bicycle, subway and bus routes.

Criteria Two: Location and Neighborhood Fabric

Trolley Square is a 40-unit building that incorporates both retail and residential space. The location and neighborhood were chosen to minimize the building’s environmental impact as well as to make the best use of available natural light and passive heating and cooling opportunities. The City of Cambridge identified Trolley Square, located on the site of a former trolley storage facility, as a critical location in the revitalization of the neighborhood.

More Information:
Archived Webinar on Location and Neighborhood Fabric
Location and Neighborhood Fabric Resources in the Enterprise Resource Database