Denver provides a case study of a city's politics reckoning with the pace of development in a post-recession real estate market.
Controversy over the perceived developer friendliness of Mayor Michael Hancock has erupted in Denver, forcing the mayor to take to the pages of The Denver Post in an exclusive interview.
A separate article by Jon Murray details the development related controversies leveled at the mayor as he pursues an expected third term in office in a May 2019 election. The controversies are highlighted by uproar over a coffee shop in the neighborhood of Five Points gleefully touting its role in gentrification.
"As unrelenting development has disrupted several neighborhoods, a counter-narrative to the Denver success story is uniting Hancock’s critics and has spurred them to organize," explains Murray.
In the exclusive interview (Murray also asks the questions in the interview), Mayor Hancock responds to the accusations of being too friendly by defending his integrity, describing the growth of the city's economy, and talking about the mayor's lack of control in the development approval process.
Whether the charges of being overly developer friendly is a political third rail in the city of Denver will be determined in 2019. Until then and beyond, politicians in popular growing cities like Denver will continue to face pressure to voice a coherent development and planning agenda.
FULL STORY: s Denver Mayor Michael Hancock too friendly to developers? Here’s what he thinks
Many Cities Now Facing the Challenges of Prosperity
It might be possible for San Francisco residents to feel like the challenges of homelessness, gentrification, and a tech boom, all colliding at once, are unique to their city. Other cities—Denver for example—are facing the same challenges.
Denver Pauses Multifamily Development in Westside Neighborhoods Amidst Gentrification Concerns
City officials say the pause on permits for redevelopment projects aims to stop the displacement of long-term residents.
Opening of Denver’s New Freeway Cap Park Triggers Gentrification Fears
Local residents fear rising housing costs and displacement with the opening of a new four-acre park built on a deck bridge over the newly reconstructed and widened I-70 interstate.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions