Housing

Bird's eye view of houses in midtown Sacramento, California.

Sacramento Council Approves Upzoning Proposal

If given final approval, the plan would increase the allowable floor area ratio to permit denser housing development in single-family neighborhoods and near transit.

December 4, 2023 - Sacramento Business Journal

Aerial view of Eugene, Oregon at dusk with mountains in background.

Eugene Ends Parking Minimums

In a move that complies with a state law aimed at reducing transportation emissions, Eugene amended its parking rules to eliminate minimum requirements and set maximum parking lot sizes.

December 3, 2023 - NBC 16

WMATA train on elevated track passing by brick multistory buildings in Alexandria, Virginia.

Alexandria Passes Zoning Reform

The city is one of a growing list to eliminate single-family zoning.

December 3, 2023 - DCist

Aerial view of Gaithersburg, Maryland with train tracks in foreground.

Montgomery County Moves to Eliminate Parking Mandates

The council unanimously supported a proposal to remove minimum parking requirements near for developments near transit.

December 1, 2023 - The Washington Post

Aerial view of San Jose, California downtown at night.

San Jose Affordable Housing Development Gains Approval

A proposed project is moving forward with reduced building heights and all-affordable units.

November 30, 2023 - The Mercury News

Man with protective mask measures the moisture level on a white wall with green mold in an apartment.

In Rush to Build, Older Housing is Overlooked

Older homes provide an affordable housing lifeline, but poor conditions often lead to serious health impacts for residents.

November 29, 2023 - Bloomberg CityLab

SMall backyard cottage ADU in San Diego, California.

San Diegans at Odds Over ‘Granny Towers’

A provision in the city’s ADU ordinance allows developers to build an essentially unlimited number of units on single-family lots.

November 29, 2023 - CALmatters

Aerial view of suburb outside Dallas, Texas with large single-family houses with enclosed backyards and green lawns.

The Rise of Zoning Reform

As the housing affordability crisis spread from mainly coastal cities to the rest of the nation, cities and states are taking a serious look at outdated zoning codes that hamper efforts to build more housing.

November 29, 2023 - Bloomberg CityLab

Colorful brick apartment buildings with fire escapes in Chinatown, New York City.

A ‘Black Market’ for Short-Term Rentals Grows in NYC

While many owners are listing their rentals on other websites, others are moving them back to the long-term rental market.

November 29, 2023 - Curbed

Red sign with white text opposing Minneapolist 2040 rezoning plan.

Magical Thinking and NIMBYism

Comparing different types of NIMBYism and where they go wrong.

November 28, 2023 - Michael Lewyn

Aerial view of Newwark, New Jersey at sunset with river in foreground.

Newark Announces Supplemental Zoning Board

The temporary board will help speed up the application review process during a development boom.

November 28, 2023 - Governing

Rendering of TOD with two glass towers abovw MARTA transit station in Kensington near Atlanta, Georgia.

New TOD Breaks Ground in Atlanta Area

The project will include over 500 housing units, commercial and retail space, and park spaces.

November 28, 2023 - Urbanize Atlanta

Makeshift shelter built by unhoused people on hillside overlooking freeway in Stockton, California.

Study: Homeless People Face Higher Mortality Risk

Unhoused adults are more than three times as likely to die in any given year as their housed counterparts, research shows.

November 27, 2023 - San Francisco Chronicle

View of low-rise buildings in downtown Durham, North Carolina at sunset.

Durham Eliminates Parking Requirements

Another domino has fallen in the parking reform movement.

November 27, 2023 - The News & Observer

'Huntington Beach' sign on pedestrian bridge over Pacific Coast Highway.

Federal Court Dismisses Huntington Beach Housing Lawsuit

A federal judge on November 13 dismissed a lawsuit the Orange County city filed against the state and the Southern California Association of Governments in March in an attempt to exempt itself from state housing laws.

November 26, 2023 - Courthouse News Service

Close-up of carved Seattle City Hall title on front of concrete buildin next to staircase.

Seattle Makes Historic Affordable Housing Investment

While the 2024 budget plan invests in housing and social programs, city leaders warn the city will face a shortfall of almost $250 million in 2025.

November 24, 2023 - Capitol Hill Seattle Blog

stack of books

Planetizen’s Top Planning Books of 2023

The world is changing, and planning with it.

November 24, 2023 - Planetizen Team

Rendering of three-story shipping container modular building for affordable housing in Watts, Los Angeles.

The Promises and Limitations of Modular Housing

Converted shipping containers offer the promise of fast construction and low costs, but face regulatory and accessibility challenges.

November 23, 2023 - Metropolis Mag

Low angle view of Texas state capitol at night from middle of wide street.

Austin Creates Homeless Strategy Office

The new office is dedicated to consolidating the city’s efforts to house unhoused residents.

November 23, 2023 - CBS Austin

ederal Housing Finance Agency seal in downtown with closeup of sign and logo

‘Renters Bill of Rights’ One Step Closer to Reality

The Biden administration could strengthen tenant protections on a national scale by leveraging federally backed mortgages to mandate rent stabilization and bar discrimination in rental housing.

November 22, 2023 - Truthout

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.

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New York City School Construction Authority

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Village of Glen Ellyn

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An annual review of books related to planning.

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The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.