Housing

Accessory Dwelling Unit

ADU Reform Moves Forward in Seattle

A sweeping reform of Seattle's current accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules is currently underway. Proposed legislation sets the stage for an ADU boom to potentially match Vancouver and Portland.

June 11, 2019 - The Urbanist

Homeless in New York City

Beyond YIMBY: Racism and Finance in the Housing Crisis

Upzoning without addressing speculation and finance could exacerbate the housing crisis for the nation’s most vulnerable communities, a professor of urban planning warns.

June 11, 2019 - The Planning Report

Denver Region

Cities on the Verge of a Housing Crisis

This analysis of the largest metropolitan areas in the country reveals high housing prices spilling over into many parts of the country not located on the coasts.

June 11, 2019 - 24/7 Wall St.

Glendale California

Poll: On Housing, Californians Want What the Legislature Won't Give

"This particular solution, which has been very controversial in the Legislature, is not very controversial when it comes to the general public."

June 9, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Philadelphia Rowhouses

Designing Homes for the In-between Spaces

"Leftover lots" are the object of one Philadelphia-based architecture firm's fascination.

June 8, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Downtown Minneapolis Streetscape

Tempering the Expectations for the Minneapolis 2040 Plan

The ability of the landmark Minneapolis 2040 plan, which adds density in various forms all over the city, to solve the cities climbing housing prices and growing lack of affordable housing, might have been exaggerated.

June 7, 2019 - MinnPost

Single Family Residential Construction

Report: Housing Construction Not Meeting Middle Class Needs

The construction industry is building less "attainable housing" than demanded by the market.

June 5, 2019 - Forbes

New Jersey

A (Possible) Case of Suburban Retrofit

Retrofitting suburbia may be a challenge in a small town with high birth rates.

June 4, 2019 - Michael Lewyn

Back Bay

How, and Where, Land Use Regulations Block Multi-Family Housing in the Boston Region

New analysis explores every city and suburb in the Boston region to reveal the tools of multi-family housing obstruction—sometimes it takes more than zoning to block apartments from getting built.

June 4, 2019 - The Boston Globe

Los Angeles in 1939, as determined by the  Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC).

Housing Inequality the Leading Cause of Wealth Inequality

New research and mapping projects reveal how the deeply embedded racism of planning and housing policies of the past are connected to the growing wealth gap of the present.

June 4, 2019 - Data-Smart City Solutions

South San Jose houses

Property Transfer Taxes Gain Traction as Cities Search for Ways to Address Homelessness

San Jose, California is the latest city to consider raising its real property transfer tax to fund homeless programs.

June 3, 2019 - The Mercury News

HUD

Local Public Housing Agencies Resist HUD's Proposed Section 8 Rule

A proposed rule to disqualify all families living with an undocumented person from receiving federal housing aid is available for comment. We know a few people who oppose the rule.

June 3, 2019 - Governing

Apartment Construction

Seven Ideas for Tackling the Housing Crisis

One expert's take on the housing crisis and which policy solutions might best counter it.

June 2, 2019 - Vox

Manhattan Retail

Op-Ed: SoHo and NoHo Need a Zoning Overhaul

Two SoHo residents argue that outdated zoning holds the Manhattan neighborhoods back, requiring special permits or variances for many current residential and commercial uses.

June 2, 2019 - Crain's Business New York

Minneapolis Minnesota

YIMBYs Leading the Pro-Density Fight

Minneapolis has become an inspiration to other cities about how to successfully challenge NIMBY factions that oppose density and zoning reform.

June 1, 2019 - Grist

Washington D.C.

Report: D.C. Metro Area Still Needs More Housing

Despite a downtown construction boom, housing is still scarce across the Capital Region. And nearly two-thirds of new homes built since the year 2000 have been single-family structures.

June 1, 2019 - Brookings

Minneapolis, Minnesota

How the Middle Class Is Faring on Housing

While the middle class does not face the same kind of nationwide affordability crisis as low-income populations, geography and demographics are placing new stress on middle-income households.

May 31, 2019 - Brookings

Luxury Hotel

New Research Measures Airbnb's Massive Industry Footprint

The world hasn't been the same since Airbnb launched in 2008 and quickly grew in popularity.

May 30, 2019 - CityLab

Oakland Architecture in Music Video

Does Oakland Have a Future as a Public City?

The city is experiencing significant growth and development, but it has a complicated history of booms and lags and its civic future is uncertain.

May 30, 2019 - Places Journal

McMAnsion

Zoning Changes Would Mean More Granny Flats and Fewer McMansions in Seattle

Is this a two-birds-with-one-stone situation?

May 30, 2019 - The Seattle Times

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.