There at the Beginning: A Better City

A Better City was born out of Boston’s Central Artery/Tunnel Project, known as the “Big Dig.” In 1989, Boston developers Norman Leventhal and Edwin Sidman created the Artery Business Committee to build support from the business community for the Big Dig.

After completion of the project, the Boston Foundation was there with early support when the Committee decided to expand its scope to include other large infrastructure projects and rebrand itself A Better City in 2006.

Over the years, the organization has played a critical role in open space and land use development planning for the Greenway, spearheaded major transportation projects and advanced transportation finance reform. It also launched the award-winning Challenge for Sustainability and Transportation Management Association program.