Chronicling the Turbulent History of Boston's Chinatown

As Chinatowns across America experience shifting demographics and are squeezed by gentrification, how can cities preserve these storied neighborhoods—both in collective memory and for the people who continue to depend on them?

For Boston, the Chinatown Atlas is a start. An ongoing project by Tunney Lee, a professor emeritus of urban studies and planning at MIT, the Atlas uses a trove of historical images, maps, and news articles unearthed from various archives to tell the story of the Boston neighborhood that has served as a landing board for so many Chinese Americans. Originally conceived as a banner display and shown at multiple galleries and historical societies around the city, the project is now partially available online.