Interactive Mapping Tool Illustrates the Impact of California's Big Housing Bill

University of California, Berkeley researchers have mapped the impact of SB 50, a bill that would allow new density around train stations and bus stops in cities all over the state of California.

2 minute read

April 10, 2019, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Tassafaronga Village Oakland California

Mark Hogan / Flickr

A new interactive mapping tool from the urban Displacement Project and the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley illustrates the potential impact of SB 50, the statewide transit oriented upzoning bill authored by State Senator Scott Weiner as a follow up to last year's SB 827.

Jenna Chandler reports on the new mapping tool, explaining how to use the map to visualize the changes the bill could clear the way for in the name of creating more housing supply and lowering housing costs around the state.

"The analysis and map look at neighborhoods surrounding 'high-quality' transit stops and categorize them into five neighborhood types based on existing density and income: high density and high income (blue); high density and low income (green); low density and high income (red); low density and low income (yellow); and low density and diverse (purple)," explains Chandler.

"They study takes into consideration how much land is zoned for residential uses, how much is vacant and 'underutilized,' and how many existing buildings are renter-occupied. To help prevent displacement, SB 50 has a provision that exempts buildings that have been occupied by tenants within the past seven years."

Carolina Reid, faculty research advisor for the Terner Center for Housing Innovation, is also quoted in the article providing more insight into the message the team hoped to impart in creating the mapping tool.

Tuesday, April 9, 2019 in Curbed Los Angeles

View down New York City alleyway at nighttime

Red Cities, Blue Cities, and Crime

Homicides rose across the nation in 2020 and 2021. But did they rise equally in all cities, or was the situation worse in some than in others?

March 12, 2023 - Michael Lewyn

babyt Boomer Homeowners

The Shifting Boomer Bulge: More Bad News for America’s Housing Crisis?

In the first of a two-part series, PlaceMakers’ Ben Brown interviews housing guru Arthur C. Nelson on the sweeping demographic changes complicating the housing market.

March 12, 2023 - PlaceShakers and NewsMakers

Yellow on black "Expect Delays" traffic sign

A Serious Critique of Congestion Costs and Induced Vehicle Travel Impacts

Some highway advocates continue to claim that roadway expansions are justified to reduce traffic congestion. That's not what the research shows. It's time to stop obsessing over congestion and instead strive for efficient accessibility.

March 14, 2023 - Todd Litman

Washington D.C. Protest

IPCC Report: The World Is Running Out of Time on Climate Change

The planet is not doing enough to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to a recent report published by the United Nations’ International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

March 20 - International Panel on Climate Change

A view of the Boise skyline, across tress int he foreground. The state capitol is visible amongst other office buildings.

Skyline-Defining High-Rise Potentially Coming to Boise

A rendering making the rounds in Boise depicts a 40-story apartment building that would be taller than all other buildings in one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.

March 20 - Boise Dev

Interior of Tesla car with driver holding hands off wheel in 'full self-driving' mode

Buttigieg: Tesla ‘Autopilot’ Marketing ‘A Concern’

The USDOT secretary says marketing doesn’t fall under his department’s investigative authority, but expressed disapproval of language that implies autonomous operation.

March 20 - Bloomberg

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.