Housing advocates in Connecticut are leading walking tours that fight misinformation about transit-oriented development and emphasize the benefits of increased density.
Housing organizations in Connecticut including Darien Talks Housing and Desegregate CT are sponsoring walking tours that “highlight housing solutions near transit that fit the community but also improve housing affordability,” reports Camila Vallejo for Connecticut Public Radio. “Out of 40 ‘transit towns’ with at least a train or CTFastrak station, only 25 allow as-of-right multi-family homes on some percentage of land near transportation, according to a report by DesegregateCT.”
The tours are one way for TOD advocates to fight misinformation about TODs and density that have prevented legislative efforts from moving forward, writes Vallejo. “A bill introduced this year, required towns to allow at least 15 housing units per acre within half a mile of a rail line or CTFastrak station. Opponents highlighted concerns about density, losing local control of zoning decisions, traffic and more. The bill died in committee.”
Christie Stewart, the director of the Fairfield County Center for Housing Opportunity, said “advocates are hosting tours to show residents that transit oriented development is an approach that can help increase housing, but also be in line with what towns want and need.”
FULL STORY: Advocates say transit-oriented development is misunderstood. Their walking tours aim to change minds
Vancouver’s Controversial Broadway Plan Approved With Amendments
A plan to add new significant amounts of housing, shifting development south into a “second downtown” around the future SkyTrain Millennium Line Broadway Extension, has been approved in Vancouver.
Madison To Create Transit-Oriented Zoning
The city plans to create a TOD overlay district to encourage density and affordable housing near transit.
Denver Affordable Housing Program Moves Forward
A proposal to reduce parking requirements near transit and encourage higher-density affordable housing development received Planning Board approval, but community concerns about affordability and displacement remain.
Keanu Reeves Set to Play Daniel Burnham in ‘The Devil in the White City’
Planning is going to get a new level of star power as a limited series adaptation of The Devil in the White City gets ready for television screens in 2024.
Opinion: Aging Population, Declining Fertility Requires Long-Term Investments
Faced with the dire consequences of a one-two punch of aging populations and declining birthrates, one writer has suggestions for how policy can help ensure a better future.
The Tide Has Turned Against Open Streets
Once a promising development for advocates pushing for a less car-centric future in cities, the open streets movement has ceded significant ground to cars since the height of the pandemic.
Key Warehouse Centers Challenge Distribution Center Expansion
Communities near major e-commerce distribution centers are increasingly resisting new construction, citing air pollution and other public health impacts.
Another Silicon Valley Enclave Resists Multifamily Housing
Ultrawealthy residents have blocked a proposal to build townhouse developments in one of California’s most affluent communities.
Flooding 210 Days a Year—No Storms Necessary
It no longer takes a storm to cause flooding in many coastal areas of the United States. Galveston, Texas could eventually face floods more than half the days of the year.
Brick & Story
City of Mt Shasta
McKenna
Cohousing Association of the US
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Rail~Volution
Sun City Center Community Association, Inc
City of Mesa
Town of Gilbert, Arizona
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.
