Philadelphia, a city rife with historic architecture, seeks to incentivize more conversion of historic buildings into housing.

According to an article by Taylor Allen, “The number of old buildings being converted into apartments is on the rise across the country. Converted units have nearly quadrupled since 2010, from 5,271 to 20,122 by the end of 2021.” Focusing on Philadelphia, Allen notes that “Philadelphia converted a total of 1,863 units in 2020 and 2021 combined, the most of any U.S. city over that two-year period, according to a report from Rent Cafe.”
However, in part due to the higher cost of converting old buildings, “The overwhelming majority of redevelopment in the city is still new construction, according to Drexel University economist Kevin Gillen.” The city aims to change that through incentives that encourage developers to repurpose old buildings. “A bill that took effect this year is starting to phase out the city's 10-year property tax abatement for new residential construction. But, there’s a caveat for converted properties, which get to keep the entire 10-year tax incentive.” Additionally, “As of 2019, Rehab projects that are historically designated don't have to provide parking, and some get zoning perks.”
Paul Steinke, executive director of the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, expressed hope that affordable housing developers could play a larger role in the conversion of historic buildings. “It'd be great to see more adaptive reuse for affordable housing since there’s quite a bit for market-rate housing,” Steinke said.
FULL STORY: Preserving Philly's charm by converting old buildings into housing units

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.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Cleveland to Boost Bike Safety With New Bike Lanes, School Programs
The program, using curriculum created by Cleveland Bikes, is part of a broader effort to improve safety along school routes.

Florida Home Insurers Disproportionately Dropping Low-Income Households
Non-renewal rates are highest in inland counties, not the coastal areas most immediately vulnerable to storms.

Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations
Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont