Peter Calthorpe's case study of El Camino Real in the Silicon Valley shows the potential for affordable housing development in the land surrounding side right-of-ways.

In an analysis of parcels adjacent to the El Camino Real right-of-way (ROW), a vast commercial corridor spanning 43 miles in California's Silicon Valley, Peter Calthorpe found a tremendous opportunity for affordable housing development. According to Calthorpe's research, presented here by Robert Steutville, 20% of parcels along the ROW could be used for multifamily housing to support 250,000 additional units. Silicon Valley currently faces a shortage of 600,000 housing units.
"Better use of the 120-foot ROW would convert the current six-lane thoroughfare to one that includes bus rapid transit (BRT), generous sidewalks, and bicycle lanes—while retaining six lanes of through traffic," writes Steutville.
The case study showed a staggering capacity for residential and mixed-use buildings and bus rapid transit. "I think there is something better in the future than straight BRT, which is slow. It is the most affordable and equitable that we can get to right now. But there are autonomous buses coming from China, which will reduce operating expense," says Calthorpe.
Calthorpe sees affordable land to be among the key advantages of increasing housing in cities. Moreover, the adoption of tax increment financing (TIF) could "pay for transit, enhanced parks and schools, and to subsidize 20 percent inclusionary zoning," according to Calthorpe.
FULL STORY: The corridor model for more affordable housing

The End of Single-Family Zoning in Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is the latest jurisdiction in the country to effectively end single-family zoning.

Seattle Bus Lane Cameras Capture Over 100,000 Violations
An automated traffic enforcement pilot program caught drivers illegally using transit lanes more than 110,000 times in less than a year.

Planners Look to ‘Activity Centers’ for Sustainable Development
Existing hubs of ‘hyperlocal’ economic activity provide a model for urban density.

Study: Seattle’s Lower Speed Limits Reduced Crash Injuries
A change in the city’s speed limits has been shown to reduce the likelihood of injuries during collisions.

Millennials Now Majority Homeowners
Just over half of people in the ‘Y’ generation now own homes, but the largest generation also continues to dominate the rental market.

Minnesota Lawmakers Propose New Ridehailing, Delivery Fees
The proposed fees on transportation network companies and delivery services would help cover buddget shortfalls for transportation and transit in the state.
City of Malibu
Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
Strategic Economics Inc
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Spearfish
City of Lomita
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.