The city seeks to incubate creative ideas in the public interest.

The city of Somerville has launched an Urban Lab Initiative—a call for pilot proposals from the private and academic sectors to address community goals like sustainability, economic development, and affordable housing. Chosen programs or technologies would receive technical support and use of city properties as testing grounds.
The competition builds on a previous city program, the Somerville GreenTech Initiative, which solicited proposals focused on environmental sustainability. "The Urban Lab broadens the pilot areas to include such issues as housing, social equity, economic development, sustainability, arts, education, government innovation, smart city infrastructure, and public health," The Boston Globe reports. John Laidler provides more details.
FULL STORY: Somerville seeks innovators for Urban Lab Initiative

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

Surf’s Upcycling: Hawai‘i’s Latest Green Building Material is Recycled Surf Boards
“Surf Blocks” are fire-resistant, termite-proof, and close the loop on mountains of waste from the state’s beloved sport.

Building Age-Friendly Homes
Designing for the unique needs of elderly people can help them maintain social connections and mental acuity.

Nightlife and the 15-Minute City
Plans for compact, walkable cities often don’t address nighttime concerns like transportation and lighting, which can make neighborhoods more vibrant and safe around the clock.
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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