Housing

BART Train

The San Francisco Bay Area Voted for a Sustainable, Inclusive Future

We can’t simply rely on the federal government to solve the San Francisco Bay Area’s challenges. Time and time again, we have turned to local do-it-yourself solutions. This year, voters rolled up their sleeves and took matters into their own hands.

November 26, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Affordable Housing Aimed at Artists Cropping Up In LA.

Los Angeles is building several affordable housing projects for artists.

November 25, 2016 - KPCC

Seattle Sailboats

Debunking Seattle's 'Housing Shortage'

A post examining common responses to the question of why the cost of housing continues to rise requires a frank discussion about the nature of Seattle's "housing shortage."

November 25, 2016 - The Urbanist

One57

Rents Falling at the Upper End of New York's Real Estate Market

The construction of thousands of rental apartments in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens are credited with driving down costs at the upper end of the New York City rental market.

November 23, 2016 - The Wall Street Journal

Tesco Supermarket, London

Tesco Plans to Sell Air Rights For Housing Development Above Its Stores

To help its bottom line, struggling UK retailer Tesco is planning to open up its parking lots and the space above its stores for new housing development.

November 23, 2016 - The Telegraph U.K.

New Ohio Law Fast Tracks Foreclosures for Vacant Properties

The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland provides an early assessment of a new foreclosure law in Ohio designed to help reduce vacant and blighted properties in the state.

November 22, 2016 - The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

Skid Row

L.A. Homelessness Plan Hitting Speed Bumps

City councilmembers express concern about progress of homelessness plan after receiving a first update report.

November 21, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Montgomery County Planners Target 4,2000 New Housing Units

The Montgomery County Planning Department is making the case for more housing to meet the growing number of jobs in the county.

November 21, 2016 - Greater Greater Washington

San Francisco Group Hopes to 'Save' Forrest Hill from Proposed Low-Income Housing for Seniors

Forrest Hill building faces strong opposition from wealthy neighbors.

November 21, 2016 - The San Francisco Chronicle

California's New Accessory Dwelling Unit Having an Effect in Monterey

The city of Monterey has been compelled by a new state law to loosen prohibitions on accessory dwelling units after failing to so earlier in the year.

November 18, 2016 - Monterey County Weekly

Seattle City Council

Seattle City Council Parts With Mayor on Affordable Housing Funds

Political drama connected to the funding of affordable will require changes to the mayor's proposed city budget.

November 18, 2016 - The Seattle Times

Porch

Housing Doesn't 'Filter,' Neighborhoods Do

Housing advocates tend to agree that we need to supplement market-rate luxury development with subsidized affordable housing, but rarely do we ask the market to provide housing for people further down the income ladder. That's bad policy.

November 17, 2016 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, SC Sees the Pros and Cons of 6,000 New Apartments

Traffic Congestion, Parking Shortages, New Shopping Opportunities, Housing for Millennials, Economic Development! Charleston, South Carolina residents' reaction to over 6,000 planned or in development apartment units runs the gamut.

November 17, 2016 - The Post and Courier

San Francisco

Airbnb Ready to Make Concessions to the City of San Francisco

The city of San Francisco and Airbnb may move their dispute from the courtroom to the negotiating table, as the company indicates willingness to find a "win-win" with the city.

November 16, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Del Mar Station TOD

A Potential Downside to $120 Billion in Transportation Investments in Los Angeles

The editorial board of the Los Angeles Times warns that along with new transit lines comes new housing for residents who want to enjoy the benefits of reduced auto-dependence. Plans need to ensure minimal housing displacement around the new stations.

November 16, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Salt Lake City

Housing Advocates Push Affordability Agenda in Salt Lake City

With an estimated housing gap of 7,500 units and an apartment vacancy rate of 2 percent, Salt Lake City needs to do more to address an affordable housing shortage, advocates say.

November 16, 2016 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Not My President

Trump Election Coverage Round Up (Planning Edition)

A compendium of the most discussed examples of news and commentary regarding the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States—but only what's directly relevant to the fields of planning and urban design.

November 15, 2016 - Planetizen

Desert Signage

Affordable Housing Measure Passes in L.A. by Wide Margin. Now What?

An affordable housing measure passed in Tuesday's election has developers saying they may scrap existing building projects, meanwhile the bill’s supporters argue that the new rules will help break the housing crunch plaguing the area.

November 14, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Gentrify Occupy

Visualizing Gentrification in 9 Cities

A new atlas explores the multiple causes of gentrification through bold graphics and data visualizations.

November 14, 2016 - Creative Review

Homeless Encampment

San Francisco Voters Express Frustration with Tent Living

Voters appear to have passed the most contentious ballot measure in San Francisco, Proposition Q, that allows city workers to remove tent encampments if shelter is available. Voters in other Bay Area counties passed taxes for affordable housing.

November 11, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

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.