"AN OBSOLETE NEIGHBORHOOD... AND A NEW PLAN," IN GENERAL PLAN FOR BOSTON, 1950, PUBLISHED BY THE BOSTON CITY PLANNING BOARD, DECEMBER 1950.

This crowded housing area is in the West End, virtually in the heart of the city. Its proximity to the business and amusement center helps to justify its high population density, but the extremely high building coverage does not allow sunlight and air to enter dwellings, and affords no possibility of a view. There are no pleasant open spaces within the area where children may play, or where adults may enjoy the outdoors. No parking space exists, except on narrow streets and vacant lots.

Such an environment undoubtedly impairs the mental and physical health of its inhabitants, and moreover, there are indications that such an area is a deficit to the city in terms of cost of city services versus tax revenue.