The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is taking a strong stance in support of zoning regulations that enable new multi-family housing developments.
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) addresses the state of multi-family housing around the state, calling the situation a housing crisis, with an article and collection of media resources on its website.
Elise Harmon writes the article, which promotes a call to action to support zoning that allows and encourages multi-family housing development. Harmon writes in support of state bills, the Governor’s Housing Choice bill (coverage from Planetizen here) and the Great Neighborhoods bill. Taken together, argues Harmon, the bills "offer meaningful reform and help us meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s demand."
According to Harmon, the Great Neighborhoods bill outlines two possible approaches:
The first would simply direct municipalities to designate a district where multi-family construction would be allowed. This leaves the details up to the individual municipality for how to accommodate the new homes. The second approach would set a sliding scale of density targets for the multi-family zone, but allow for exemptions in places where the housing demand is not as strong.
MAPC's "Broken Zoning, Unaffordable Homes: What Can Be Done" series includes additional articles on Accessory Dwelling Units and a platform it has dubbed "Housing Choice Plus."
FULL STORY: Multi-Family Housing | Broken Zoning, Unaffordable Homes: What Can Be Done?
Apartment Construction Ramps Up to Meet New Demand
It's unclear if or when the supply of entry level rental housing options will catch up with the demand, but some cities are building quickly.
Lack of Multi-Family Zones Contributes to Nashville’s High Housing Costs, Study Says
Nashville and surrounding communities allow for a relatively small amount of multi-family housing, according to a new zoning atlas of Middle Tennessee. A regionally focused nonprofit is using the atlas to push for zoning reforms.
New Research on the Effects of Market-Rate Development and Upzoning
A glut of new housing and development research has been published recently, shedding new light on some of the most fundamental questions of contemporary planning.
Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Four Reasons Urban Planners Can’t Ignore AI
It’s no longer a question of whether AI will shape planning, but how. That how is up to us.
Bend, Deschutes County Move to Restrict Major Homeless Encampment
City and county officials are closing off portions of an area known as Juniper Ridge where many unhoused residents find shelter, hoping to direct people to housing and supportive services.
High Housing Costs Driving Down Transit Ridership in LA
When neighborhoods gentrify and displace lower-income residents, transit ridership suffers, new research shows.
Iowa Legalizes Accessory Dwelling Units
A new law will allow property owners to build ADUs on single-family lots starting on July 1.
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.
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada