How many now-classic design features are actually tax-avoidance strategies?
On the 99% Invisible blog, producer Kurt Kohlstedt shares how, "from basic materials to entire architectural styles, building codes and taxation strategies have had huge historical impacts on the built world as we know it."
Some of the world's most celebrated vernacular architecture may in fact be the "product of regulation and taxes as much aesthetic tastes." For example:
- Paris's mansard roofs started in part as a means for builders to optimize space under height limitations dating from 1783. "The limit was based on measuring up to the cornice line, leaving out the roof zone above," Kohlstedt explains.
- The narrow shape of Dutch canal houses was encouraged by a tax that targeted canal frontage. Efforts to avoid that tax produced a ripple effect, Kohlstedt notes: "This typology evolved narrower staircases, necessitating exterior hoist systems to move furniture and goods into and out of upper floors."
On the blog, 99% Invisible shares more examples of regulation-driven architecture from around the world—and debunks fabled design genealogies that turn out to be myths.
FULL STORY: Vernacular Economics: How Building Codes & Taxes Shape Regional Architecture
Video: How Tall Should Buildings Be?
Is there an ideal height — or should buildings be as tall as they need to be to fulfill housing needs?
What Is Cambridge’s Affordable Housing Overlay?
A controversial policy is helping create more affordable housing units in the Massachusetts city, but fears of overwhelming density are likely unfounded.
Vernacular Architecture in the Era of Climate Change
We no longer have time for design that ignores the climate crisis. Building and community design must respond to this new context to successfully meet people’s needs.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley
The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
How Urban Form Impacts Housing Affordability
The way we design cities affects housing costs differently than you might think.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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.
