Housing

Boston T

Showdown Looming in Cambridge Over Inclusionary Zoning

The city of Cambridge has until April to decide on a proposed policy that would greatly expand the number of affordable units required in new development projects.

December 29, 2016 - The Boston Globe

North Dakota

How to Build Healthy Homes

Home builders are figuring out that there is plenty of demand for healthy systems in home construction. This article even says that healthy homes are the "next big thing."

December 29, 2016 - Builder

Anchorage Joins the Cohousing Movement

After five years of development, the Ravens' Roost Cohousing in Anchorage is now a reality. There are approximately 163 cohousing communities in the United States.

December 28, 2016 - Anchorage Dispatch News

Real Estate Industry Executives Brace for Republican Tax Reforms

A proposal by House Republicans to overhaul U.S. tax law is gaining traction, aided by the certainty of the Trump Administration. Included among the proposed reforms are changes that could bring an end to a key benefit of home ownership.

December 28, 2016 - The Wall Street Journal

A orivate eye at work

Stakeouts and 'Private Eyes': Monitoring Short-Term Rentals for Tenants' Rights

The constantly moving legal lines between regulators and short-term rental companies like Airbnb have taken on some distinctly noir activities.

December 27, 2016 - Bloomberg

Highway Living

The Housing Market Recovery Extends to Phoenix

Experts expect the Phoenix region, a hot bed for the negative effects of the housing crash of the Great Recession, to become one of the nation's strongest housing markets in 2017.

December 27, 2016 - The Wall Street Journal

Seattle Mixed Use Development

New Seattle Loan Fund Finances Affordable Housing

As excitement builds around Seattle's voter-approved transit expansion plan, the REDI Fund will preserve space for low and middle-income residents in new transit-oriented developments.

December 26, 2016 - Next City

School Buses

Op-Ed: Exclusionary Zoning Worsens Education Gap

Pete Rodrigue pulls from multiple studies, arguing that zoning contributes to an education gap between rich and poor students. Housing costs lie at the heart of the problem.

December 26, 2016 - Greater Greater Washington

Homeless in New York City

New York City Relying on Hotels to House the Homeless

Throughout 2016, New York City has expanded the practice of renting hotel rooms to house homeless people. Now the city is looking for a vendor to shoulder some of the work of finding rooms for those in need.

December 25, 2016 - Politico New York

Portland Statue

Inclusionary Zoning Now the Law in Portland, Oregon

Portland's new inclusionary zoning policy will go into effect in February.

December 23, 2016 - The Oregonian

Domestic Millennial

More Young Americans Living With Their Parents Than Any Year Since 1940

The highest share of young Americans living with their parents hit a record high of 40.9 percent in 1940. In 2016, the share falls just short of that figure, at 40 percent.

December 22, 2016 - The Wall Street Journal

Second Home

Bill Would End Tax Breaks for Second Homes in California

AB 71, originating from the California Assembly, would raise funding for low-income housing construction by ending an existing tax break for second homes.

December 21, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Suburban Pittsburgh

New Pittsburgh Tenants Union: 'A Long Time Coming'

A new citywide tenants union, designed to provide an umbrella for smaller organizations and new levels of education and access to renters, is taking shape in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

December 21, 2016 - Keystone Crossroads

Stockton Foreclosure

Principles of Housing Finance Reform: The Imperative of Rebuilding the System

In a new article, Penn IUR Fellow Joseph Tracy and Penn IUR Co-Director Susan Wacther write about the imperative of rebuilding the housing finance system.

December 20, 2016 - Penn IUR Urban Link

California

Another Attempt at California's By-Right Affordable Housing Proposal

The new streamlining bill for affordable housing will not have the governor's name, but that of freshman Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener, who made a name for himself as a tenacious housing advocate while San Francisco County Supervisor.

December 20, 2016 - KQED: California Report

Electoral College

The Most Popular Planetizen Posts of 2016

No Electoral College needed: these were the most popular Planetizen posts from the year 2016.

December 19, 2016 - James Brasuell

Additional Study Necessary for Seattle to Pass Accessory Dwelling Units Legislation

A recent ruling by the City Hearing Examiner is a setback—but not necessarily a permanent one—for the city's efforts to loosen regulations on accessory dwelling units.

December 19, 2016 - Seattle Met

Parking

Transit Up, Parking Down in Seattle

Facing an affordability crisis, Seattle is betting on dense, walkable development. The transition away from guaranteed parking promises to be no easier here than elsewhere.

December 16, 2016 - The Seattle Times

Tide Light Rail

This Light Rail Line Lowers Nearby Home Prices

Not every transit project has a positive effect on adjacent property values. A study finds that people do not, in fact, want to live next to Norfolk, Virginia's Tide light rail.

December 16, 2016 - Next City

Gentrification the Killer in Oakland Fire

Already, the Ghost Ship tragedy is being used as a justification for code enforcement crackdowns that will likely further gentrification. But how can we combat gentrification and displacement and improve safety at the same time?

December 16, 2016 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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.