Housing

Development

Does Wendell Cox Realize He Just Supported Smart Growth?

Smart Growth critic Wendell Cox recently endorsed White House Economic Advisor Jason Furman's criticisms of zoning codes that limit infill development, essentially endorsing Smart Growth policy reforms.

December 8, 2015 - Todd Litman

Grand Central

Mr. Kimmelman's Metropolis

The New York Times architecture critic is making good on his promise to focus on the social context and redemptive qualities of urban architecture and design. A recent lecture in Denver identified several imperatives for the planning profession.

December 7, 2015 - Dean Saitta

For Rent

When Discussing Median Rents, Let's Make Sure We Have All the Data

Reports about the median rents rising or falling in a community garner a lot of attention, but it's a good idea to understand where the data is coming from.

December 7, 2015 - City Commentary

walkable street

Demand for Walkable Neighborhoods Outstripping Supply

Millennials and an aging Baby Boomer population have put a premium on "the hottest trend in real estate": walkability.

December 7, 2015 - The Huffington Post

Vacant Home, Cleveland

Cleveland Counts Its Vacant Homes, Finds Hope in Shrinking Numbers

Surveyors hitting the streets in Cleveland have found that the problem of vacant homes in the city isn't as bad as first feared.

December 7, 2015 - Cleveland Plain-Dealer

Damage Control for New York's Big Zoning Proposals

One of the nation's most ambitious efforts to upzone neighborhoods in the hope of spurring more market rate and affordable housing supply is up for debate in New York City. A lot of people don't like the plan.

December 5, 2015 - Politico New York

Demolition

Seattle Is Teardown Town

Mansionization, that conspicuous manifestation of the demand for larger homes, is alive and well in Seattle.

December 3, 2015 - The Seattle Times

Community Land Trusts Laying Down Roots in Baltimore

There are 200 community land trusts in the country, so the idea clearly has traction. With three organizations pursuing new community land trusts, the model might soon have a new test bed in Baltimore as well.

December 2, 2015 - The Baltimore Sun

Planners Feeling Tension Between Disruption And Convention

Cultural changes and 'disruptions' created by the 'sharing' economy are challenging planners just as they're challenging their own competitors. Bill Fulton assesses the brave new world that might liberate planners—or befuddle them.

December 2, 2015 - California Planning & Development Report

Stahl House Los Angeles

Krugman Argues the Supply Side to Combat Urban Inequality

Paul Krugman, one of the most influential voices of liberal policy in the United States, has identified a culprit in the U.S. affordability crisis: over-regulation.

November 30, 2015 - The New York Times

Lending Inequalities Undercut Baltimore's Potential

Baltimore's housing stock is relatively accessible compared to many other cities on the East Coast, yet deeply ingrained issues of inequality still plague the potential for homeownership to assist in the city's recovery.

November 28, 2015 - The Atlantic

Toronto from the CN Tower

Costs Soar for the Suburban Lifestyle in the Toronto Area

Famous for its focus on dense, infill development and quickly ascending skyline, the Toronto housing market is still plagued by rising housing costs at the single-family detached homes end of the spectrum.

November 28, 2015 - The Toronto Star

Analyzing the Impacts of Choice Neighborhoods Grants

A new study examines the question of how to achieve neighborhood transformation through the Choice Neighborhoods federal grant program.

November 25, 2015 - Urban Institute

Seattle Rental Market Trending Toward the Affordable

The Puget Sound Business Journal is reporting that landlords and developers are concerned about the effects on the market from a wave of new housing supply ready to come online in the region.

November 24, 2015 - Puget Sound Business Journal

Skid Row

Los Angeles Declares Shelter Crisis Ahead of El Niño

Facing winter storms and flooding, the city of Los Angeles is opening public buildings as temporary shelters for the homeless. Mayor Garcetti also has the option of declaring a state of emergency around the 26,000 people without housing.

November 24, 2015 - Los Angeles Times

Too Big to Be Green

The energy costs of big houses on big lots overshadow the benefits of energy efficiency.

November 23, 2015 - CityLab

Anchorage to Provide Permanent Housing for the Homeless

Newly elected Mayor Ethan Berkowitz has unveiled a new plan to end homelessness in Alaska's largest city, Anchorage. It focuses on providing permanent housing over the next three years for 300 adults who are living on the street and in camps.

November 22, 2015 - Alaska Public Media

Hello Miami!

Plenty of Luxury Units to Go Around—While Affordable Housing Gets Less Affordable

The market for luxury apartment rentals is booming; the market for affordable rentals is not.

November 19, 2015 - The Atlantic

San Francisco

San Francisco Planning Department Proposes Increasing Heights in Neighborhoods

The San Francisco Planning Department is proposing a trade-off to neighborhoods to comply with a state density bonus law: Modestly increase height and density limits in exchange for more affordable housing.

November 19, 2015 - Hoodline

Another Housing Boom—Another Housing Bust?

Housing costs are skyrocketing all over the country. Does that sound familiar? How worried should we all be that the current boom will have similar consequences as the previous housing boom?

November 18, 2015 - Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

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.

Comprehensive Bikeway Design Workshop

Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University

Early Bird Deadline – save on your tuition fee!🚨

Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)

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.