Inman Square by Klopfer Martin Design Group

Inman Square, a historic and bustling neighborhood at the convergence of Cambridge and Somerville, MA, serves as a key multimodal connector while retaining a distinct local identity. This project reimagined an existing accident-heavy intersection to improve safety, accessibility, and placemaking through strategic design interventions. The design demonstrates the power of small-scale, locally funded and community-driven transformations in shaping resilient and inclusive cities. By reconfiguring the skewed spider-like intersection into two rational ones, creating separated bike lanes, and shortening pedestrian crossings, the design enhances pedestrian and cyclist safety while improving overall traffic flow. The transformation of the intersection’s layout unlocks new opportunities for a flexible, community-oriented plaza that enriches the community at large.

Driven by advocacy on the part of the landscape architect, the simple but impactful urban design move of relocating Inman Square’s plaza across the intersection and toward the commercial heart of the square is powerful and challenging. Though this move introduced complexity, both in jurisdictional oversight and physical constraints, it also created the opportunity for a complete transformation of the Square. The legislative designation of open space required state-level coordination to move the plaza. Placing the new plaza above the former roadway introduced the constraint of a network of existing utilities that limited locations for at-grade tree planting and stormwater infiltration. Despite these challenges, the plaza’s shift was instrumental in supporting and enhancing Inman’s unique neighborhood feel—one of the only squares in Cambridge without a T station—maintaining its distinct mix of independent businesses and residential fabric.

A core objective was to create a civic space that fosters connectivity, social interaction, and neighborhood pride. The new plaza engages the square’s historic storefronts and integrates seating, new public art, a lush tree canopy, and catenary lighting to establish an inviting, pedestrian-friendly environment. The “hive” concept—woven through all scales of design elements from the site organization to the pavers to the bench details—reinforces the interconnectivity of residential and commercial life in the square.

Part of ensuring that the plaza is fully supportive of all neighbors, much consideration was put into ensuring that the space was universally accessible. The team met with the City’s Commission on Persons with Disabilities to discuss materials and placement of site elements particularly as they related to the placement of the public art. The collaboration yielded butt-jointed pavers for a primary path of travel through the space to reduce vibration of the surface, and a strategically placed bench to prevent children and those who use mobility canes from unwanted collision with the sculpture.

Public art plays a central role with the installation of Edge of the Forest, a striking weathered steel deer sculpture that evokes the site’s historic threshold between industry and nature, adding a layer of cultural storytelling while serving as a landmark for the revitalized square. We had a primary role in the selection of the artist and the art piece and led the coordination of the placement of the piece in the plaza and adjacent to planters to ensure the deer feels as it had just wandered in and is nibbling on foliage.

Embracing principles of sustainability, climate resilience, and equitable urban design, the material strategies employed—expanded tree canopy, pervious paving, enhanced soil volumes—contribute to reducing the urban heat island effect, demonstrating that small-scale interventions can have an impact beyond their size in the urban environment. The project also supports social resiliency for the neighborhood by creating a safe, flexible outdoor living room for neighbors to gather.

The community engagement process played a central role in shaping the transformation of the square. Public input guided every aspect of the design, from plaza programming to material selections and public art, ensuring the space authentically reflects the neighborhood’s character. The project team employed a variety of engagement methods, including large physical models that allowed the public to closely examine different design options and understand the space’s layout. Over six major public engagement sessions took place, alongside smaller, more intimate events such as nighttime walks and coffee meetings with local residents and business owners.

This project exemplifies how urban infrastructure improvements can transcend their functional purpose, fostering community identity, safety, and resilience. The redesigned Inman Square not only supports safer vehicle and cycling traffic, but is a thriving, people-centered space that celebrates its rich history and diverse community while setting a new standard for urban placemaking.

• All landscape architecture offices involved in the design of landscape:
KMDG – Landscape Architecture

• Other credits:
Kleinfelder – Lead Engineer
Bowman – Transportation Engineer
Toole Design – Walking and Biking Advisor
Public Art – Mark Reigelman

Photo Credits:
CPP: Christian Phillips Photography
All other images credited to KMDG

more by Klopfer Martin Design Group

Lawrence Alley

Fisher Hill Reservoir Park

Roemer Plaza