A New York Times op-ed calls on the city to add landfill development on Manhattan's southern shoreline, claiming it would increase affordability and protect the city from rising sea levels.

In an opinion piece in the New York Times, Jason M. Barr argues that physically expanding Manhattan Island into New York Harbor would help solve two urgent crises at once: New York City's rampant housing shortage and the threats posed by rising sea levels to the island.
Barr proposes adding 1,760 acres of landfill development to Manhattan's southern shore, which would create an area larger than the Upper West Side. Barr recommends a similar density to that neighborhood, which could mean up to 180,000 new housing units.
With demand for housing growing faster than supply, New Mannahatta, as Barr calls the proposed addition to the city, could offer "the possibility to realize the goal of adding a significant number of new units, many of which can be made affordable for low-income households."
Meanwhile, the new land would fortify the city against the effects of climate change and add a buffer that would protect other vulnerable neighborhoods with protective ecologies like wetlands.
On the economic side, Barr believes the construction of the new neighborhood would "pay for itself through sales or long-term land leases," and envisions extended public transportation including ferries that would serve New Mannahatta's residents and visitors. For Barr, this proposal could help ensure the city's continued success by making it safer and more affordable.
FULL STORY: 1,760 Acres. That’s How Much More of Manhattan We Need.

Minneapolis Housing Plan a Success—Not for the Reason You Think
Housing advocates praise the city’s move to eliminate single-family zoning by legalizing triplexes on single-family lots, but that isn’t why housing construction is growing.

New White House Housing Initiative Includes Zoning Reform Incentives
The Biden administration this morning released a new program of actions intended to spur housing construction around the United States.

‘Mega-Landlords’ Threaten Housing Stability for Renters
As institutional investors buy up a larger share of single-family homes, the families renting them are increasingly vulnerable to rent increases and eviction.

More Funds to Transform the Puente Hills Landfill into a Regional Park
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors just approved an additional $28 million to support the development of the Puente Hills Regional Park at the landfill site.

Denver Freeway Widening Plans on Hold
The Colorado Department of Transportation’s plan to widen the Interstate 25 freeway through Denver is one of a few plans to widen urban freeways under consideration in the United States.

Public Perceptions of Sprawl and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Urban density has a bad reputation.
Clarion Associates
Urban Planning Partners
Sandy City
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 Redwood City
City of Rohnert Park
City of Hot Springs
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.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.