Designing the Outdoor Dining Guide

WHY WE ARE DOING THIS

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor dining in Boston has become a popular summer activity across the city. The rules around outdoor dining have evolved each year as different departments have provided their input on how to make sure this program is safe and effective. However, the city received feedback that the current Outdoor Dining Guide was too long, very confusing, and often included conflicting rules from different departments.

WHAT WE DID

MONUM worked to revise the Outdoor Dining Guide to ensure that more restaurants can take advantage of this program. This project involved clarifying rules to ensure they produced their intended results, reaching consensus when departments didn’t agree, and finding ways to clearly communicate the rules and possible layouts. As a result, MONUM produced a new Outdoor Dining Guide which has led to a quicker review process for restaurants and City departments alike, and clarity for users regarding the city’s expectations and requirements.