Map Gallery

Maps and graphics are invaluable communication aids in the planning process. Not simply tools to locate where you are, GIS maps relate geographic and statistical information and reveal new relationships.

Please be patient as the maps may take a few moments to draw!!

 Remember in a PDF map, you can use the zoom in tool to see more detailed information.  Some of the maps have interactive links set within them to open web pages or send mail messages. You can always right click your mouse to get "Back" to the main map document.

Massachusetts House and Senatorial Legislative Districts
Updated 1/2011

These two maps illustrate elective House and Senate government in the 187th General Court of Massachusetts. Each map shows the boundaries of the district, district name, its elected leadership with political party. Links to other websites provide additonal legislative resources. Maps are 11 x 17.

Permanently Protected Open Space
Updated 4/2011

This map illustrates open space as a percentage of total dry land area within each Massacusetts community, current as of November 2010. The information source is MassGIS's Protected and Recreational Open Space data layer which contains the boundaries of conservation lands and outdoor recreational facilities owned by federal, state, county, municipal, and nonprofit enterprises as well as privately owned land. Read more.

Plans, Bylaws, and Ordinances --
A Focus on Plans and Techniques that Support Local Smart Growth and Sustainable Development
Updated 6/2009

This series of maps focuses on important community plans and bylaws that particularly support development consistent with smart growth principles which seek to utilize existing infrastructure and preserve community assets, such as water and land resources. As these maps reveal, many communities throughout the state are utilizing innovative growth management techniques to manage new development and retain local character. Maps are 11 x 14.
View MA Smart Growth-Smart Energy Toolkit

Massachusetts Commonwealth Capital Program --
Updated 12/2010

This series of maps focuses on Commonwealth Capital which explicitly endorses planning and zoning measures that are in accord with the Administration's policy. Commonwealth Capital encourages municipalities to implement smart growth-smart energy practices by linking state spending programs to municipal land use practices.

Learn more about the Commonwealth Capital Program and how to apply
Graphs, Maps, and Data about Commonwealth Capital Performance

Massachusetts Community Presevation Act (CPA)--
Updated 5/2011

The Community Preservation Act (CPA) is an innovative tool for communities to address important community needs and finance specific community preservation acquisitions and initiatives.
More about the CPA

North Shore Regional Development Time Series (1/24/2003)

Derived from one map originally produced for the 2001 NorthShore SuperSummit, these five maps show changes in land use for 35 north shore communities, including a buildout projection based on current zoning conditions. The information sources are the results of the Community Preservation Initiative's buildout project and MassGIS's Land Use data layer (MacConnell).

In this particular time series, land use information has been collected for the years 1971, 1985, 1991, and 1999. An aggregate classification has been used to represent the major types of land uses. It was designed around relationships observed between a regional zoning scheme developed to show statewide buildout results or zoning, and the MacConnell land use classification scheme. See classification scheme diagram.

To date nearly 40% of the area is developed. Several large contiguous areas of natural land exist, remaining a valuable resource. However development does continue, most notiable wiht respect to low density residential parcels, primarily at the expense of these natural lands.