Market Urbanism

Aerial view of green Memorial Park lawns and trees with downtown Houston skyline in background

How Houston Keeps Housing Affordable

The city’s limited land use regulations have kept housing costs relatively low, but government intervention is still needed to provide housing to the lowest-income residents.

January 17, 2024 - Market Urbanism

Mumbai Graffiti

The Urban Life of Spider-Man

Peter Parker used to struggle to pay the rent, and many people can relate to the superhero's precarious housing situation over the years.

July 24, 2019 - Market Urbanism

Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant

Want to Know More About Zoning? Consider These Reading Suggestions

For those of us who could stand to learn more about zoning, Nolan Gray gives us a list of suggested reading material for the beginner on up.

May 6, 2019 - Market Urbanism

Japan Shared Space

Zoning in Japan Versus Zoning in the U.S.

Japan's system of zoning appears highly capable of fostering mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods. How does Japanese zoning differ from our own, and what factors caused those differences?

April 6, 2019 - Market Urbanism

Leslie Knope

Pop Culture Hasn't Been Kind to Planning Lately

A post for the Market Urbanism website says planning is entering Season Three with no guarantees it will catch on with audiences.

February 13, 2018 - Market Urbanism

Home For Sale Signs

A Case Against Homeownership

Against all odds, both political parties agree on at least one thing: the merits of homeownership. But is buying a home really such a great investment, even for the well-off?

September 29, 2016 - Market Urbanism

Stockton Foreclosure

Study: Land Use Regulation Restricts Housing Supply

A new paper studies the impacts both of specific land use regulations and land use regulations in the aggregate.

July 21, 2016 - Market Urbanism

New York Manhattan Chinatown

Supreme Court to Decide on Interpretations of Historic Preservation

A brief by the Cato Institute describes historic preservation laws as arbitrary and ambiguous. A case before the Supreme Court could decide on either side of the issue.

July 13, 2016 - Market Urbanism

Mobility

Tips for Transit in the Age of Uber

Hate it or love it, Uber has changed the transportation game across this country. To boost ridership and change its public image, transit should consider taking some cues from the rideshare giant.

June 22, 2016 - Market Urbanism

Main Street

Preserving Main Street in Large Developments

The Terraces, a mixed-use project in Charlottesville, Virginia, adopts a design that reflects its historic downtown surroundings. Oliver Kuttner, the developer, says that "breaking up" large buildings can make them more palatable on street level.

February 4, 2016 - Market Urbanism

Reimagining LA

Are Land Use Policies Mostly Hurting the Poor?

In a new paper, researchers find that land use regulations in cities have effectively created a "zoning tax," which primarily impacts the poor and renting class.

November 12, 2015 - Market Urbanism

Bed Stuy view

The Political Semantics of Housing Segregation

Two authors agree that housing policies in the War on Poverty have failed. Are those policies too progressive, or not progressive enough?

July 31, 2015 - Market Urbanism

Making Room for Skyscrapers in the Jane Jacobs Debate

A Market Urbanism op-ed makes the case for high-rise neighborhoods as an integral part of successful cities—even if some Jacobs fans tend to overlook the benefits of such parts of town.

May 4, 2015 - Market Urbanism

SoHo Greenwich New York

Historic Preservation as the Enemy of Diversity

A recent article takes a controversial stance contrary to the argument of Jane Jacobs that old buildings equal affordable, diverse neighborhoods.

September 7, 2014 - Market Urbanism

Old DC Transit

Delayed, Expensive, and Poorly Planned—D.C. Streetcar Called 'Worse than Nothing'

In January, Washington D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray claimed that the district's new streetcar would open in February. Still not open, the D.C. City Council this week slashed future streetcar spending.

June 27, 2014 - Market Urbanism

On the Unintended Consequences of Inclusionary Zoning

"Affordable housing policies have a long history of hurting the very people they are said to help," says Emily Washington, citing public housing and rent control as evidence. She would also add inclusionary zoning to the list of failed policies.

June 1, 2014 - Market Urbanism

Elfreth's Alley

Historic Examples of 'Urbanism Without Government'

We’ve all heard the question “but who will build the roads?” put to libertarians. In a recent article, Emily Washington examines historic examples of urban settings that developed without the guidance of a government.

March 8, 2014 - Market Urbanism

Americans Pay More for Walkability

Preliminary results from a new study suggest that Americans are willing to pay about $850 more per Walk Score point when purchasing a home.

October 19, 2013 - Market Urbanism

What Happens When You Do Away With Rent Control?

Stephen Smith points to new economic research highlighting the dramatic effect of rent control on the value of nearby properties. Hint: it keeps prices down everywhere.

July 3, 2012 - Market Urbanism

The Case Against Inclusionary Housing

Affordable housing mandates - "inclusionary zoning" - have been a popular way for cities to deal with high housing costs. But Stephen Smith says there are real market costs, and while the empirical work is in its infancy, it doesn't look promising.

December 30, 2010 - Market Urbanism

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Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.