FoSCI Developing Climate Spaces in Boston

Working with local institutions and partners like Northeastern University and MASS Design Group, The Future of Small Cities Institute is teaming up to create a series of Climate Spaces—community storytelling labs that showcase resilience designs and sustainable technologies.

These pop-up “urban rooms” are envisioned as places where climate action becomes tangible: where visitors can explore interactive exhibits, engage with local research and design work, and participate in conversations about the future of their neighborhoods. By bringing together designers, scientists, policymakers, and residents, Climate Spaces aim to bridge the gap between ambitious climate plans and everyday lived experience.

Across Boston, these collaborations are opening up new possibilities for how cities communicate change—not as abstract policy, but as something visible, participatory, and grounded in place. From regenerative materials and energy systems to workforce development and community resilience, each Climate Space will reflect the unique priorities and ideas of its host partners and surrounding communities.

As this work evolves, The Future of Small Cities Institute is actively exploring additional partnerships and sites, building toward a network of spaces that invite the public into the climate transition… one conversation, one prototype, and one shared story at a time.