Housing

Cities To Take Hit As Property Taxes Drop

As the economy dives and housing values plummet, revenue from property taxes is expected to fall over the next few years, making things tough for many cities.

February 23, 2009 - Governing

Top 10 Cities for Economic Upheaval

Forbes releases its first ever list of "America's Fastest-Changing Cities", documenting the cities that have undergone the most drastic economic shifts.

February 22, 2009 - Forbes

Seattle TOD Bill Needs Work, Critics Say

An ambitious bill encouraging dense, transit-oriented development in the Seattle area has drawn negative responses from residents who criticize its "one-size-fits-all" approach.

February 21, 2009 - Seattle Post-Intelligencer

In Troubled Times, Roommates Becoming the Norm

More urban professionals are finding the only way to make housing affordable is to live with roommates.

February 20, 2009 - AlterNet

Stop Building Homes, Stop Suburban Poverty

America's suburbs are no longer impervious to "slumming," as low income earners are forced into places that were once firmly middle class. Therefore, researchers say, anti-poverty measures should go beyond mere suburb relocation.

February 19, 2009 - Miller-McCune

Coney Island Concepts Debated

The Municipal Art Society wants Coney Island to be bigger and more attractive, but the developer says time-share hotels and big boxes are the key the landmark's financial sustainability.

February 19, 2009 - The New York Times

Making Vancouver an "Inclusive City"

Vancouver architect Gregory Henriquez talks about his innovative mixed-income, mixed use development that will see wealthy and poor residents sharing the same facility.

February 19, 2009 - The Globe and Mail

Obama's $75 Billion Plan to Save America's Homes

President Barack Obama has announced a $75 billion plan to help counteract home foreclosures -- a move that aims to allow more than 9 million Americans to refinance their troubled mortgages.

February 18, 2009 - The New York Times

"Cost-Effective" Condos Cheaper than Rental

One developer has found a way to build condos at $60,000 less than it costs the average Toronto developer. Through deferrals from the city, money is made available to assist homebuyers with their down payments.

February 18, 2009 - The Tyee

Banks Exacerbating Foreclosure Crisis

Banks and financial institutions are making the foreclosure crisis worse, as lobbying efforts seek to block bankruptcy courts from gaining more power to reduce debt, according to this article from Der Spiegel.

February 17, 2009 - Der Spiegel

Artist Incentive Zoning

As other cities follow suit, Boston leads the way in creating artist housing through developer incentive programs and design requirements.

February 17, 2009 - Metropolis

Obama About to Announce Housing Plan

David Axelrod, senior White House aide to President Obama, announced this morning that the President is about to present a new plan for to halt foreclosures and stop falling real estate prices.

February 15, 2009 - The Wall St. Journal

Five Myths About Affordable Housing

The downturn in the housing market has led to a lot of misconceptions about housing. This piece from The Tyee identifies five myths about affordable housing.

February 15, 2009 - The Tyee

Trailer Park Urbanism

The housing market is struggling big time. Author Bill Morrish argues that salvation could be found in an unsuspected urban form: the trailer park.

February 14, 2009 - MinnPost

How to Strengthen New York City's Middle Class

David Giles explains the economic extremes that now characterize New York City and offers four suggestions on how to retain and strengthen its middle class.

February 12, 2009 - City Limits

With Higher Densities Come Smaller Footprints

This article's author reports his and economist Matthew Kahn's recent findings on metropolitan areas and carbon emissions. As it turns out, living in a high density area is one of the best things one can do for the environment.

February 12, 2009 - The DC Examiner

New Deal Legacies Endangered

Buildings and homes built as a product of the Works Progress Administration of the 1930s are being torn down at a rate that some find unsettling.

February 11, 2009 - International Herald Tribune

The Fight to Line Dry

Now that the eco-friendlier--albeit more unsightly--way to dry laundry is making a comeback, line-drying activists go face-to-face with homeowners associations to make it safe to do it.

February 11, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Glimpsing into New Orleans' First Master Plan

The master plan will replace an outdated, complex zoning law and address urban housing, wetlands preservation, and transit, among other things. New Orleans is finally "poised for sustained growth," according to the plan's lead consultant.

February 11, 2009 - The Times-Picayune

The Model Slum

According to Prince Charles, Dharavi, the slum featured in 'Slumdog Millionaire,' should be considered a model for the rest of the developing world.

February 11, 2009 - The Guardian

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.