How one non-profit design competition led to the creation of temporary housing for the homeless using a simple formula: asking future residents what they wanted.
The Common Ground Community, founded by MacArthur Fellow Roseanne Haggerty, will open New York City's Andrews House in August. Haggerty interviewed over 100 homeless people about what type of housing they would prefer. "Many said they wanted something small, private, safe, cheap; they wanted just enough space for themselves and their belongings. They had a little money, though not enough for an apartment." Andrews House will offer social services including a nurse and a social worker. Common Ground's design contest received 189 submissions; five winners were selected. One prototype entitled "The Ordering of Things" includes many shelves and a bed on rollers; the top half of the door swings open for ventilation during warmer months. (See link for winning designs.)
FULL STORY: Making a Flophouse a Home, and a Decent One at That
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie