Report on the 2025 Gateway Cities Leadership Summit: Aligning Local Development with Global Sustainability Goals

On July 22, 2025, the Gateway Cities Innovation Institute convened the 2025 Gateway Cities Leadership Summit, bringing together municipal leaders, policymakers, and economic development experts. The summit focused on positioning Massachusetts’ Gateway Cities as central to achieving statewide progress on critical issues, framing local challenges and opportunities through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Fostering Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth (SDG 8, SDG 9)

The summit opened by establishing Gateway Cities as vital hubs for addressing complex challenges, from housing and transit to clean energy and economic mobility. A key announcement was the creation of a new Gateway Cities Reporter role at CommonWealth Beacon, a strategic investment in accountability journalism to support SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by ensuring community issues are central to public discourse.

Gateway Cities Innovation Institute Director André Leroux presented five strategic proposals aimed at catalyzing progress, each aligning with multiple SDGs:

1. Triple the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP): To fuel middle-income housing, directly addressing SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
2. Scale MassDevelopment’s TDI Program: To expand support for climate technology and small business growth, contributing to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
3. Invest in Main Streets and Downtowns: Move beyond planning to direct investment in storefront activation and marketing, revitalizing urban cores in line with SDG 11.
4. Pass the Mass Ready Act: To streamline development in Gateway Cities over greenfield suburbs, promoting sustainable land use and compact urban growth (SDG 11).
5. Create Regional Innovation Campuses: Prioritize energy abundance and affordability to attract new industries, advancing SDG 7 and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

Administration Priorities for Sustainable and Equitable Communities

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll affirmed the administration’s commitment to Gateway Cities as essential economic engines. Her remarks highlighted initiatives that support a broad range of SDGs:

• Innovation and Industry (SDG 9): Fostering AI hubs and maintaining the Commonwealth’s leadership in life sciences and defense manufacturing.
• Quality Education (SDG 4): Strengthening early literacy through evidence-based programs and high-dosage tutoring.
• Sustainable Infrastructure (SDG 9, SDG 11): Reimagining the MBTA and regional transit authorities with innovative, convenient, and climate-resilient solutions.
• Sustainable Cities (SDG 11): Advocating for increased housing density near transit corridors to create vibrant, livable downtowns.
• Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10): A firm commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as a core strength of the Commonwealth.

Panel I: Clearing the Path for Sustainable Growth and Energy Transformation

Energy, Permitting, and Infrastructure (SDG 7, SDG 9, SDG 16)

A panel featuring Secretary Ed Augustus (EOHLC), Acting Secretary Ashley Stolba (EOED), and Melissa Lavinson (Office of Energy Transformation) addressed systemic barriers to development. The discussion centered on creating transparent and efficient systems to foster sustainable growth.

• A new “Business Front Door” portal was announced to improve access to public incentives, promoting SDG 16’s goal of effective and accountable institutions.
• Panelists acknowledged that a lack of site-ready parcels and energy constraints are significant impediments to progress.
• Melissa Lavinson introduced the concept of “Energy Ready Zones” to pre-certify areas for development with adequate infrastructure, a direct strategy to advance SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

Policy Center Updates: Data-Driven Insights for Equitable Development

Research Findings on Transit, Education, and Housing

The MassINC Policy Center presented preliminary research highlighting persistent barriers and inequities in Gateway Cities, underscoring the need for targeted policy interventions to meet sustainability targets.

• Transit (SDG 11): The commuter rail system is underutilized. Achieving its potential requires smarter pricing and targeted support for off-peak ridership, which would enhance sustainable transportation.
• Education (SDG 4, SDG 10): Gateway City students are disproportionately educated in aging facilities due to state funding formulas that place higher burdens on urban districts. The data calls for an overhaul to prioritize school infrastructure based on need, advancing educational equity.
• Housing (SDG 11): While multifamily housing permits have increased, this was linked to temporary funding. Systemic issues remain, including burdensome regulations and a slow rehabilitation pipeline. At current funding, it would take over a century to rehab existing blighted properties, highlighting a critical gap in achieving sustainable urban renewal.

Legislative Leadership on Economic Resilience and Growth

Speaker Mariano on Strategic Infrastructure Investment (SDG 6, SDG 11)

House Speaker Ron Mariano addressed pressing challenges, including hospital closures and threats to clean energy investment. He emphasized proactive infrastructure planning, citing a strategic investment to extend water service from Quincy to Weymouth. This project, enabling 6,000 new housing units, exemplifies how targeted infrastructure investment can unlock sustainable development and foster inter-municipal collaboration, aligning with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Panel II: Building an Economic Development Package that Delivers (SDG 4, SDG 8, SDG 11)

Senators Barry Finegold and John Cronin discussed the need for Massachusetts to adapt quickly to remain competitive. Their priorities for a new economic development package directly support key SDGs:

• Permitting Reform (SDG 16): Streamlining processes with clear accountability to accelerate sustainable projects.
• Expanded Vocational Training (SDG 4, SDG 8): Creating pathways to decent work and building a skilled workforce for future industries.
• A Flexible HDIP (SDG 11): Enhancing the program to support mixed-income development that builds stable, inclusive communities.
• Small Business Support (SDG 8): Empowering local financial institutions to drive community-level economic growth.

Conclusion: From Promise to Policy

The 2025 Gateway Cities Leadership Summit underscored the critical role of Gateway Cities in driving innovation and implementation across Massachusetts. The discussions provided a clear roadmap for translating policy ideas into tangible actions that advance climate technology, transform schools, and accelerate housing production, aligning the Commonwealth’s future with the global Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article discusses education through initiatives like “strengthening early literacy with evidence-based reading programs and high-dosage tutoring,” addressing the problem of “aging, overcrowded schools” in Gateway Cities, and proposals for “expanded vocational training, including new annexes for Gateway City high schools.”

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  This goal is addressed through the mention of infrastructure challenges and a specific project: “a strategic investment to extend water service from Quincy to Weymouth, enabling the development of 6,000 new housing units.”

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The summit focused heavily on energy, with discussions on “clean energy,” “climate tech,” and the need for “energy abundance and affordability.” Ideas like creating “Energy Ready Zones” and concerns over “federal threats to clean energy investment” directly relate to this goal.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The central theme of the summit is economic development. This is evident in the “Five Big Ideas for Economic Development,” which include supporting “small business growth,” investing in “Main Streets and downtowns,” and creating “regional innovation campuses.” The goal is to foster “economic mobility” and make Massachusetts competitive with other states.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The article highlights the need for robust infrastructure, mentioning “aging infrastructure” in transit and schools. It also focuses on innovation through discussions on “AI hubs,” “climate tech,” “life sciences and defense manufacturing,” and creating “regional innovation campuses.”

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article implicitly addresses this goal by focusing on “Gateway Cities,” which are described as “too often overlooked in statewide strategies.” It mentions that “Gateway City students are disproportionately learning in aging, overcrowded schools” due to funding policies, and highlights the administration’s firm stance on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion).

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This is a primary focus of the article. Issues discussed include housing (“fuel more middle-income housing development,” “rehab the existing stock of blighted vacant properties”), sustainable transport (“smarter pricing, targeted incentives, and intentional support for ridership,” “build near transit”), and urban revitalization (“revive downtown cores,” “put money into Main Streets”).

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article connects development with climate resilience, noting “rising climate threats” and the need to address “climate, and infrastructure issues impacting many Gateway Cities.” The focus on “climate tech” and “clean energy” is also a direct response to climate challenges.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education. The focus on “strengthening early literacy” supports this.
   • Target 4.6: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy. The mention of “evidence-based reading programs” directly relates to this target.
   • Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all. The article’s call to “overhaul of how school facilities with the greatest needs are prioritized and funded” because Gateway City students are in “aging, overcrowded schools” directly addresses this target.

2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The project to “extend water service from Quincy to Weymouth” is a direct action towards this target on a local level.

3. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. The emphasis on “energy abundance and affordability” and creating “Energy Ready Zones” to ensure development has the necessary infrastructure supports this target.
   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The focus on “clean energy” and “climate tech” aligns with increasing the share of renewables.

4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises. The article’s focus on “small business growth,” “storefront activation,” and the “Business Front Door” portal to help small businesses access incentives are direct implementations of this target.

5. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. The discussions on overhauling “school facilities,” addressing “aging infrastructure” for transit, and extending “water service” all fall under this target.
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation. The push for “AI hubs,” “climate tech,” and sustaining the edge in “life sciences” aligns with this target.

6. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. The proposals to “Triple the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP),” develop “6,000 new housing units,” and the goal to “rehab the existing stock of blighted vacant properties” are all actions toward this target.
   • Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all. The focus on improving the “MBTA and regional transit authorities (RTAs)” and supporting “ridership during off-peak hours and reverse commutes” directly addresses this.
   • Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries. The call to “revive downtown cores,” “put money into Main Streets,” and “Pass the Mass Ready Act to make it easier to build in Gateway Cities” supports more sustainable and inclusive urban planning.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Housing (Target 11.1)

  • Number of new housing units permitted/developed: The article explicitly states that “Permitting of new multifamily housing units has doubled” and mentions a specific project enabling “the development of 6,000 new housing units.”
  • Rate of rehabilitation of vacant properties: The statistic that “it would take more than 100 years to rehab the existing stock of blighted vacant properties” implies that the number of rehabilitated properties per year is a key indicator.
  • Level of investment in housing programs: The proposal to “Triple the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP)” uses the funding level of a specific program as a measure of commitment and progress.

• For Transit (Target 11.2)

  • Public transport ridership vs. capacity: The data point that the “commuter rail system can already move 2–3 times more riders than it currently does” suggests that ridership numbers are a key indicator of the system’s efficiency and success.

• For Education (Target 4.a)

  • Condition of school facilities: The description of schools as “aging, overcrowded” implies that indicators would include the age of school buildings, student-to-space ratios, and the amount of funding allocated to school building and renovation projects.

• For Economic Growth (Target 8.3)

  • Number of small businesses accessing support: The creation of the “Business Front Door” portal implies an indicator would be the number of businesses using the portal and successfully accessing public incentives.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: massinc.org