Housing
Changing Economy Forces Update to New Urban Plan
With an entirely different economic reality in place since 2005 when the original plans were drawn up, Andres Duany of DPZ will update plans for the 165-acre S.C. state mental health hospital campus in downtown Columbia, South Carolina.
Multi-Million Dollar Student Housing in Manhattan
It is not uncommon for wealthy Chinese to spend seven figures - in cash - on real estate "as housing for children studying in New York."
Defying U.S., Israel Approves Controversial Housing Development
The Israeli announcement that 1,600 more housing units would be built in occupied East Jerusalem is causing a diplomatic crisis.
Turning Foreclosures into Rentals
As the Federal Housing Administration looks for new ways of dealing with the nation's foreclosed homes, more voices are calling for those homes to be repurposed as rentals.
Britain's Riots: Architects Respond
Five architects dissect the role the built environment plays in the riots. Joseph Rykwert says cities incite riots, while Robert Tavernor says that the riots are "a sobering reminder that cities are for people, that people make cities."
Reinventing the Homeless Shelter
The Bridge Homeless Assistance Center in Dallas has saved the city an estimated $3 million in jail time and homeless management. Architecture gets some of the credit.
Real Estate Bliss in Singapore
Like the Hamptons for affluent New Yorkers, Singapore emerges as the go-to real estate hot spot - replacing Hong Kong - for wealthy Chinese. "It confers class status in China to say that you own a flat in Singapore," asserts Mohamed Ismail.
"Phonehenge West" Relegated to the Dustheap of History
In Antelope Valley, Calif., Alan Kimble Fahey's 70-foot tower - aka "the highlight of his life's labor" - was eviscerated on Friday along with the rest of his 20,000-square-foot quirky concoction. The court found it in violation of local codes.
Cottages = Small Scale Infill & Affordability
They've been tough to build, thanks to a market skewed towards suburban-style houses via tax, infrastructure, mortgage, and land value subsidies, says Ben Brown. But six years after the storm, Katrina Cottages offer some hard-won solutions.
New Orleans Sets New Rules for Public Housing
With great success, the city is on a fast track to transform six Great Depression-era public housing projects - totaling 4,000 units - into mixed-income housing. "People will be watching New Orleans closely," observes Linda Couch.
Why Did the U.S. Allow Its Cities to Decline?
Frank Gruber asks, "why, not how." Many of the explanations for decline are clear; why it was allowed to happen, less so. Gruber highlights "suspects" of what might have led to cities' destruction.
South Florida's High-Rises Enter Real Estate Nirvana
Home sales in the Miami metropolitan area surged 16% during the first six months of this year. Not only does the figure represent the highest jump since 2007, two-third of the transactions were paid in cash.
Groundwork For Revitalization Laid in Tornado's Wake
Tuscaloosa's revitalization efforts hope to mend the devastated city by replacing the land opened up by the tornado with walkable village centers, green spaces and community storm shelters, Robin DeMonia reports for The Birmingham News.
Housing Occupancy Down Across U.S.
Unoccupied housing is on the rise in many parts of the country, according to an analysis of U.S. Postal Service data.
Tom Low's Vision for De-Sprawling Charlotte
With foreclosure rates high and car-dependent development spreading, Charlotte might want to start listening to new urbanist Tom Low, according to this article.
Property Loans Dry Up in Chinese Cities
Banks in China have stopped accepting loan applications for property in the country's second- and third-tier cities in an effort to curb inflation.
Vancouver Plans Big Build to End Homelessness
The city of Vancouver is planning to offer more than $42 million in land and capital grants aimed at developing affordable housing. Its part of a 10-year plan to end homelessness in the city.
How the Other Half Lives in Hong Kong
For a city of over 16,000 people per square mile, less than 7% of Hong Kong's land is designated for residential use. Subdivided apartments - aka "coffin units" - totaling 150 square feet aren't uncommon, reports The Wall Street Journal.
What Buyers' Stalled Decision Means to Homebuilders
While most homebuilders take measures to control cost, such as modifying the plan layouts or building more energy-efficient homes, few revamp their business strategies by creating specialized division for distressed markets.
Top 10 Cities to Invest in Rental Properties
Based on estimated returns on investment in single-family home rental properties of 316 markets, Las Vegas is your best bet to invest on rental properties. Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale - all in Florida - also made the list.
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.
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
Eagle County Government
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
