Housing

Taking a Closer Look at the Slum

Slums have garnered some positive attention lately, from academics (Teddy Cruz) to royalty (Prince Charles). This article looks at just what it is we can learn from them, as well as the challenges that face legitimizing the world's shantytowns.

March 5, 2009 - The Boston Globe

Crunch Leaves Thousands of Homes Half-Built or Abandoned

Thousands of homes in development are being halted and thousands more vacant new homes are being foreclosed across California, leading to crime, looting and squatting.

March 5, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Builders Split Over Ban

Homebuilders may oppose a building moratorium at a time like this, but Pennsylvania Rep. Robert Freeman (D-Northampton) has not let up on his efforts to enact one to give communities a break from development and to discourage sprawl.

March 4, 2009 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Mortgage Rescue Plan Rolls Out

Americans caught up in the foreclosure crisis can now apply for relief from the Obama Administration's new "loan modification plan."

March 4, 2009 - CNN Money

Housing Prices Low, But Not Affordable

The housing market has bombed, bringing prices and values to devastating lows. But despite lower prices, affordable housing is still in too short of supply, according to this piece from Time.

March 2, 2009 - Time

Denver Gets TOD Fund

The City of Denver plans to spend more than $15 million over the next decade to purchase real estate near mass transit.

March 1, 2009 - The Denver Post

HUD's Budget Money

This brief from the New York Times outlines how federal budget money will be used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

February 28, 2009 - The New York Times

Is Mayor Bloomberg Feeling Squeezed?

Starting with a tony 5-floor, 7,500 square foot townhouse on the Upper East Side, New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg has quietly bought 4 of the 6 neighboring townhouse apartments and combined them into what is now a 12,500 square foot mansion.

February 27, 2009 - New York Times

In Praise of Non-Profit Developers

John King of the San Francisco Chronicle trumpets the work of Bridge Housing in increasing the availability of quality affordable housing in the Bay Area. But is it enough? New studies say affordable housing is an uphill battle.

February 26, 2009 - San Francisco Chronicle

It Started, and Should End, with Real Estate

If the government bails out banks, it also better put aside money for structural reform that ensures the proper valuation of property. According to Elena Panaritis, a housing market driven by speculation catalyzed the recession in the first place.

February 25, 2009 - Guardian

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

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.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

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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.