New Density Planned as Affordable Housing, Growth Management Tool in Durham, North Carolina

The City Council of Durham, North Carolina has approved changes to the city's master plan, first approved in 2005, to allow new forms of density in residential neighborhoods proximate to the city's downtown urban core.

1 minute read

September 6, 2019, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Durham City Park

Leon Justice / Shutterstock

"The City Council agreed Tuesday night to allow more, and more varied, housing in neighborhoods near downtown Durham," reports Joe Johnson.

The approved "Expanded Housing Choices" plan will affect neighborhoods within two miles of the city's downtown core, allowing duplexes, creating a new small-lot option, and aligning duplexes and attached single-family housing with detached single-family standards. The plan also "[increases] opportunities for accessory dwelling units and modify residential infill standards," reports Johnson.

Mayor Steve Schewel is quoted in the article saying the plan is designed to "incrementally increase affordable housing" in the city. In 2017, the city was struggling to deal with skyrocketing evictions as the city dealt with a post-recession surge in development investment. The city also reorganized to streamline development review in the hopes of creating more supply in the city in 2017.

Durham is expecting 160,000 additional residents by 2045.

Wednesday, September 4, 2019 in News & Observer

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 28, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Aerial view of Missouri state capitol in Springfield, MO at golden hour.

A Missouri Tenant Union’s Fight Against Millennia Housing

In Springfield, Missouri, senior and disabled tenants at one Millennia affordable housing building say they’ve gone about a year without a working elevator, but their organizing has gotten the city to threaten receivership if it's not fixed soon.

30 minutes ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Chicago Transit

Time Running Out for Illinois Transit Bill

Chicago-area transit agencies face a daunting budget gap if lawmakers fail to agree on a funding bill by the end of the current legislative session.

1 hour ago - Streetsblog Chicago

Cyclist rides in protected bike lane in Jacksonville, Florida.

Jacksonville Adding New Bike Racks

The city will add dozens of new bike racks over the coming months to prevent bike theft and reduce sidewalk clutter.

2 hours ago - WOKV