Environmentalists are up in arms after the loss of thousands of trees to make room for new developments in Nashville. Now a new affordable housing project could be the demise of the city's largest tree.
Mike Reicher reports: "Every year the Nashville Tree Foundation awards the 'Big Old Tree' prize for the largest tree nominated in Davidson County. This year's winner sits in the path of a major construction project."
"The 92-foot tall cherrybark oak towers over the James Cayce public housing complex, much of which is being demolished to make way for modern affordable apartments," explains Reicher.
The future of the tree is in limbo, because the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency hasn't yet released its plans for the Envision Cayce (the name of the aforementioned affordable housing project). However, "[t]he agency does not have to follow new city tree regulations, which are designed to save mature trees during Nashville’s expansive development boom."
According to Reicher, the looming clash between affordable housing advocates and environmentalists is likely to be exacerbated by the political climate created by the city's development market. "In the past, a public housing project’s landscape might not have generated as much controversy, but today the stakes are higher. Nashville developers have cut down thousands of trees in recent years to clear land for buildings and parking lots — a scale of loss that has galvanized tree lovers and prompted action at City Hall." Housing prices in Nashville are climbing to crisis levels despite all the new construction.
FULL STORY: Some of Nashville's largest trees in path of development for Cayce Homes affordable housing
Nonprofit Affordable Housing Developers Navigate Troubled Waters
As housing and building costs rise, nonprofit developers find themselves with strained resources as pandemic relief dries up and tenants need housing assistance more than ever.
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.
Trees Beautify Segment of Atlanta’s BeltLine
A local nonprofit planted 500 trees along a previously unimpressive segment of the bike and walking trail, creating an ‘instant forest’ effect.
Boston Transit Riders Report Safety Concerns
Almost three-quarters of current and former riders report feeling unsafe while using MBTA services.
The Unceremonious Death of a Freeway Expansion Project
The end of an Oregon freeway project didn't get much fanfare, but the victory is worth celebrating.
Houston Lot Size Reforms Yield Positive Results
New research shows that reducing lot size requirements helped create thousands of new homes.
Architecture and the Housing Crisis
A new book brings architects into the housing discussion.
New Los Angeles Rent Relief Program Targets Pandemic Debt
The program prioritizes the lowest-income tenants who accrued debt during the early part of the pandemic.
‘Agrihood:’ An Urban Farm With Affordable Housing
California’s largest urban farm also provides 165 units of affordable housing for seniors and veterans.
Knoxville-Knox County Planning
City of Stonecrest
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Washington University
Mpact: Mobility, Community, Possibility
National Capital Planning Commission
City of Culver City
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.
