The Kansas City Star Editorial Board has concerns about gentrification and affordable housing.
The Kansas City Editorial Board is raising the alarm about the changes occurring in the Missouri city, with concerns about an affordable housing crisis exacerbated by ongoing gentrification around the city.
The editorial follows shortly after a feature story written by Bill Turque, which digs deep into ground zero of the changes occurring in Kansas City, the Troost Avenue corridor. Turque writes:
The once-vibrant shopping district at 31st Street is headed for renewal. Home rehabilitation and infill construction that started in Beacon Hill is surging south through the Center City, Squier Park and Manheim Park neighborhoods.
But with its transformation, Troost risks becoming shorthand for another kind of historic failure: The absence of city policies to ensure affordable housing and protect long-time residents from displacement.
With that context, the editorial suggests the city should implement inclusionary zoning, without calling the policy by name. Also suggested: making the upconing mayoral campaign a referendum on the city's housing policies.
"Every candidate must explain in detail how he or she plans to stop the Denverization that’s already happening," according to the editorial. "Otherwise, we’ll have more and more mountain-view prices, Rockies not included."
FULL STORY: Stop the Denverization of Kansas City. Troost doesn’t need to be hipster-friendly
Denver Adopts Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning
The Denver City Council recently adopted the “Expanding Housing Affordability” policy.
Detroit Tax Abatement Will Keep Senior Renters in Upscale Building
The city worked with the owners of an apartment building to maintain lower rents so longtime residents would not be displaced after renovations.
Climate Gentrification in Miami
With the threat of sea level rise, homes on higher ground in Miami are becoming increasingly desirable. But they are located in low-income communities of color, and residents are facing rising housing costs and displacement.
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.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service