A glut of new housing and development research has been published recently, shedding new light on some of the most fundamental questions of contemporary planning.
A new report by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles compiles the relatively small body of recent research about the effects of market-rate development on rents in the surrounding neighborhood.
The report responds to the ongoing debate about the effects of market-rate development. "On one side are those who think new market-rate units — unsubsidized homes whose price often places them beyond the reach of lower- and middle-income households — make nearby housing more affordable by increasing availability and relieving pressure on the existing housing stock." And "An opposing view, however, is that new housing only attracts more wealthy households, brings new amenities to the neighborhood (including the housing itself), and sends a signal to existing landlords that they should raise their rents."
Hat/tip to Michael Lens for sharing the news of the new report on Twitter.
The report helpfully reviews and discusses recent research—six working papers published since 2019—to reveal how much more information is now available on the subject than in the relatively recent past.
The six working papers detailed in the report also have new company, with a trio of research papers published this week on the subject of upzoning. A tweet by Yonah Freemark is spreading news about the new research on social media.
3 papers on upzoning just released:
-Dong finds upzoning associated w/housing construction https://t.co/qpio45EK9n
-Kuhlmann finds upzoning associated w/ 3+%in property prices https://t.co/C4XdMik5yX
-Davis finds upzoning associated w/white residents https://t.co/Vs1h6LseAo— Yonah Freemark (@yfreemark) February 17, 2021
A second tweet by Freemark notes another study from New Zealand published in August 2020.
FULL STORY: Research Roundup: The Effect of Market-Rate Development on Neighborhood Rents
New Market-Rate Housing Lowers Rents for Everyone, According to New Research
A study published by a German researcher adds ammunition to the cause of improving housing affordability by legalizing and building new supply.
Lack of Multi-Family Zones Contributes to Nashville’s High Housing Costs, Study Says
Nashville and surrounding communities allow for a relatively small amount of multi-family housing, according to a new zoning atlas of Middle Tennessee. A regionally focused nonprofit is using the atlas to push for zoning reforms.
The Housing Affordability Recipe
Smart policies can ensure that low- and moderate-income households can find suitable housing in good neighborhoods where transportation costs are low. The research is clear: upzoning works.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
Maine Approves Rent Relief Program
Legislators hope the assistance program will help struggling low-income households avoid eviction.
How Transit Architecture Impacts Real and Perceived Safety
More than a third of Americans believe major transit systems are too unsafe to ride. The built environment can change that.
New York Passes Housing Package Focused on New Development and Adaptive Reuse
The FY 2025 budget includes a new tax incentive, funding for affordable housing on state land, and support for adaptive reuse and ADUs.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.
