A major change in the way residential development takes place will force smaller developers to change the way they compete.
"Flush with cash, many of the super-builders are sidestepping traditional development companies. They're buying their own large tracts, getting approvals, finishing land and building on their own lots. They enjoy the higher margins of land development and control over lot delivery in a timely and cost effective manner... Now, as creators of communities themselves, they must think more about the bigger picture of what it will take to make a group of homes livable... As the super-builders take over more of the industry, we may see a homogenization of construction styles because there are fewer builders to choose among. The innovation, creativity and local flavor of a smaller builder is lost. The result will be much like what happens when Wal-Mart moves into a new area, bringing standardized products in the place of the sometimes quirky, individual tastes of owner-operated stores."
Thanks to The Practice of New Urbanism
FULL STORY: Home builders developing commercial characteristics
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.