The city of Oakland, across the bay from San Francisco, is the rare California city quickly adding housing units to the urban core. Local businesses are struggling to hang on as construction changes the fabric of the neighborhood.
Sarah Ravani reports on the effect of numerous construction projects in Downtown Oakland on existing businesses in the area.
The example of a restaurant called Molcajete is cited as the first examples:
As Oakland makes an unprecedented push to boost housing with a wave of apartment building, small businesses like Molcajete that could eventually profit are paying a high price. Construction zones are eliminating foot traffic and parking, and shop owners say rents are going up.
According to Ravani, "[c]ity officials acknowledge the transition has displaced small retailers that helped contribute to Oakland’s culture and say they have plans to protect diversity."
"But some business owners worry that it’s too little, too late, and that the area will lose its vibrancy." Already some businesses have shuttered since the current wave of construction—1,000 residential units under construction in a half-mile radius of Molcajete.
FULL STORY: Downtown Oakland businesses strain under weight of apartment building boom
Does Highway Removal Make Cities Healthier?
Highway removal can improve the air quality and health of the immediate environment, but displacement and gentrification threaten to exclude former residents from the benefits.
'Gentrification' Is Not the Real Problem
The conversation about gentrification continually repackages a set of debunked theories as reality and it obscures a set of real crises that need fixing.
Gentrification and Race in the San Francisco Bay Area
A feature article revisits the gentrification and displacement discussion, especially as it pertains to racial and economic demographics, in one of the nation's most troubled and challenging housing markets.
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