Quotes and photos below focus on a few features. Links at the end lead to more.

“At a time when cities like Boston face intensifying summer heat and widening environmental disparities, PlanTable offers a living, participatory response—merging ecology, culture, and community in one dynamic space. This multidisciplinary project, presented in partnership with Pao Arts Center, emerges from a deep collaboration between artists, designers, community advocates, and climate thinkers. ” ( quote from Greenway Public Art, PlanTable)

“The installation responds directly to Chinatown’s specific climate challenges as Boston’s hottest neighborhood, with limited tree canopy and public green space. Featuring 16 trees and a rich palette of perennial plants designed to attract pollinators, PlanTable is both temporary and enduring. When the installation concludes, all vegetation will be gifted to community members, allowing its ecological and social legacy to continue.” ( quote from Greenway Public Art, PlanTable)

“PlanTable provides a vital refuge—not only for people, but also for pollinators whose populations are threatened by rising temperatures and habitat loss. Conceived as a modular, scalable structure, it incorporates trees and pollinator-friendly plants to function as a plug-in biodiversity node within the city. It responds directly to the urgent need for accessible green space in Chinatown—Boston’s hottest neighborhood—and supports broader goals of climate justice and neighborhood resilience.” ( quote from Ecosistema Urbano Plantable )

“The table also serves as a climate timeline, visualizing the rise in temperatures since 1870—the founding year of Chinatown. Highlighted bars mark the years when temperatures exceeded historical averages, revealing an accelerating trend that continues today.” ( quote from Ecosistema Urbano: Plantable )

“Blending landscape architecture, horticulture, and art, PlanTable creates a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds to gather, exchange ideas, and reflect. Rooted in the spirit of Chinatown, it celebrates the neighborhood’s enduring culture of hospitality and inclusion.” ( quote from Ecosistema Urbano: Plantable )

The next six photos show two art activities around PlanTable during Pao Art Center Festival, Sept. 27:

“PlanTable: Seeds for the Future; Design your own terracotta pot with dreams of your neighborhood, plant some seeds, and watch them grow at home!” (quote from Pao Arts Center Festival Activities)

“Greener Fortunes with Caroline Hu; Come create a custom paper fortune teller and share how you would enjoy greater tree cover in Chinatown. Your paper fortune teller will also introduce you to Chinatown’s current trees and how you can help care for them.” (quote from Pao Arts Center Festival Activities)

“Ecosistema Urbano is an international architecture and urban design studio working across urban consultancy, public space assessment, and urban transformation processes. Their practice is rooted in the design of high-quality public spaces that enhance bioclimatic performance and ensure climatic comfort, adapting to a wide range of environmental conditions.” ( quote from Greenway Public Art, PlanTable)

KEY RESOURCES: ( with inspiring information, helpful context, and great photos!)

Ecosistema Urbano: “PlanTable”, 2025 :https://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/ecosistema-urbano

Pao Arts Center Festival: https://www.paoartscenter.org/events/ec25-festival

Ecosistema Urbano : https://ecosistemaurbano.com/plantable/

“Closing Reception for “PlanTable” Saturday, October 18, 12 to 3 p.m. Chin Park on The Greenway. .Join us as we say good-bye to PlanTable with a final celebration. Enjoy family-friendly activities and meet the architects and community partners that made this project come alive in Chin Park.” ( quote from Greenway October newsletter)