Incremental changes to density on single-family parcels could boost the nation’s housing stock without dramatic impacts at the neighborhood level.

A new analysis shows that even small-scale upzoning in metropolitan areas could provide a substantial amount of new housing. '[Issi Romem] found that even modest densification efforts could have significant impact nationwide—across the 17 metro areas analyzed, allowing 10 percent of single-family lots to house two units instead of one could yield almost 3.3 million additional housing units—and especially in California," writes Patrick Sisson.
In addition, Romem argues that such upzoning, which would largely involve accessory dwelling units and smaller multi-family residential buildings, would not drastically change the character of neighborhoods. The densification would be less concentrated than other housing strategies, but it would provide environmental benefits and also keep home prices from increasing substantially.
As a result, it would be a more politically feasible alternative in a state like California. "It’s the 'missing middle' proposal, a reference to types of smaller multi-unit housing structures that traditionally provided more affordable housing, but tend to not be built today due to land costs and other economic pressures," adds Sisson.
FULL STORY: Why California, and the nation, shouldn’t be afraid of density and upzoning

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie