Housing

Copenhagen Looks in its Attics to Find More Density

As migration puts growth pressure on Denmark’s largest city, Copenhagen is promoting the conversion of under-utilized attics into apartments as a way to create new housing while maintaining the city's built form and character.

November 1, 2013 - The Copenhagen Post

Home Prices May Be Rising In Cities But Many Suburbs Are Still Struggling

In desirable cities across America, home prices are well on their way back to pre-bust levels. But in areas like Chicago's southern suburbs, prices are down more than 40 percent from recent highs, and approaching were they were twenty years ago.

October 29, 2013 - Crain's Chicago Business

The World's Biggest Housing Bubbles

More than five years ago, the collapse of overinflated housing markets brought the global economy to its knees. Though some countries are still struggling to recover, the bubbles are back in others. Here are 5 of the world's largest housing bubbles.

October 27, 2013 - Quartz

How the U.S. Became a Unique "Nation of Homezoners”

Exceptionalism is a word often associated with the U.S., most often with foreign policy. Sonia Hirt of VPI argues that since its inception American zoning has also taken a unique form compared to European counterparts.

October 23, 2013 - JPER

How States Can Combat Affordable Housing NIMBYs

The U.S. is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis. But as the landmark Mount Laurel saga illustrates, many communities object to developing such housing. Corianne Payton Scally argues that states should work harder to promote such projects.

October 23, 2013 - Rooflines

Mount Laurel Attests to the Benefits of Integrating Suburbia

Despite their fears, the well-off residents of Mount Laurel have been unaffected by the “fair share” of affordable housing mandated by the U.S. Supreme Court in the landmark battle over the socioeconomic integration of suburbia.

October 22, 2013 - The New York Times

Cal Supremes Decide Whether Inclusionary Housing is a Regulation or Exaction

In a decision that may have far-reaching impacts, California's Supreme Court ruled last week that the City of Palo Alto's inclusionary housing requirement is an exaction rather than a land use regulation, reports William Fulton.

October 22, 2013 - California Planning & Development Report

New York Skyline Fisheye

A Design and Planning To-Do List for NYC's Next Mayor

Over the past 12 years, New York has been transformed. For the better in some instances (bike lanes, pedestrian plazas), and perhaps not in others (unaffordability). Michael Kimmelman suggests how to build on the successes and correct the problems.

October 20, 2013 - The New York Times

What's the Best Way to Increase Affordable Housing?

Amid America's urban renaissance, increasing the supply of affordable housing has arisen as a topic of concern in several of the country's cities. The New York Times "Room for Debate" page asks eight experts to contribute their recommendations.

October 19, 2013 - The New York Times

The Gold Standard for Civic Data Delivery

Emily Badger is extremely impressed—and for good reason—with the City of Los Angeles' new neighborhood data portal, built in connection with the development a new health and wellness chapter for the city's General Plan.

October 19, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

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

Top 100 City Innovators Worldwide

To celebrate its first anniversary, Future Cities has assembled a list of the top 100 city innovators making the biggest difference across a range of industries and specialties.

October 15, 2013 - Future Cities

facades of victorian style residences in San Francisco

Protecting San Francisco's Character Has Transformed It

By "protecting" San Francisco's physical character through down-zoning and NIMBY activism, the city has transformed its social character, as families, young adults, and others flee the city to find cheaper rents. A regional solution is required.

October 14, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

NYC Developers Prepare to Fight Inclusionary Zoning

Bill de Blasio, NYC's likely next mayor, has proposed passing inclusionary zoning regulations to increase the city's supply of affordable housing. Other cities have struggled with such regulations, raising questions about its effectiveness.

October 14, 2013 - Crain's New York Business

Why Phoenix's Housing Recovery Is Bad News for Some

As one of the cities most effected by the housing crash, one would think the recovery of Phoenix's real estate market would be cause for widespread celebration. But a confluence of factors is making it hard for many to find a place to live.

October 12, 2013 - The New York Times

NYC Design Chief on Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding: "What Do I Do?"

New York's chief urban designer, Alexandros Washburn, addresses the monumental task of rebuilding New York after Hurricane Sandy and preparing for the next storm.

October 11, 2013 - Places Journal

House Hunting? Run the Numbers Before Running to the ‘Burbs

As housing (un)affordability continues to plague Canada’s big cities, some would-be city dwellers are looking to the suburbs to meet the budget. Using a hypothetical Toronto couple as its basis, number-crunching suggests little long-term savings.

October 11, 2013 - The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

Architecture that Aims to Inspire a "Life With Purpose" for the Autistic

An estimated 79 percent of young adults with autism spectrum disorders reside with their parents. But a new residence built to house 16 autistic adults in Sonoma, CA aims to provide a supportive alternative to living at home, and a nationwide model.

October 10, 2013 - The New York Times

Where Can America's Middle Class Afford to Live?

Though owning a home may be easier today than during the housing bubble due to lower interest rates and prices, in many cities across the U.S. the middle class is widely excluded from homeownership. Trulia crunches the numbers.

October 10, 2013 - Trulia Trends Blog

Two Years Before Opening, New Streetcar Already Driving Kansas City Development

Building on a decade of phenomenal growth, downtown Kansas City is poised to add 1,500 new and renovated apartment units in time for a new streetcar to begin operating in 2015.

October 9, 2013 - The Kansas City Star

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.

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