A survey of developers and architects found that many of them find it hard to meet demand for office conversion due to local regulations and zoning restrictions.
A report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reveals that permitting regulations and zoning codes are holding back developers’ ability to convert office buildings to residential units even as demand for office conversions grows.
In a survey, “Almost half of respondents (46%) indicate zoning/permitting rules are a barrier.” Meanwhile, “Seven in ten builders (71%) and two in three architects (68%) are receiving more frequent requests to convert existing office space to a different use compared to one year ago.”
This indicates a need for cities to reform their zoning codes and adapt to new needs that include more housing and less office space. “Two in five respondents (40%) indicated that 50% or more of their U.S. properties/projects have included requests for converting existing office space.”
Read the full story: Local Permitting, Zoning Regulations a Key Barrier to Transforming Office Space
Midtown Manhattan Rezoning Proposal Could Yield Almost 10,000 Housing Units
A plan to alter zoning for parts of Midtown would permit new housing and make it easier to convert office buildings to residential units.
Office Conversion Sees No Sign of Slowing
The adaptive reuse of office buildings for residential and other uses will grow by as much as 63 percent in 2024 over last year.
‘City of Yes’ Zoning Reform Gains Planning Commission Approval
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
Nation's most wind-powered state turns to coal as data centers increase energy demand
For the first time in decades, Iowa has increased its generation of coal power.
NYC cools commuters with city's first rain garden above a bus stop
New York City officials say the plants in the rain garden can absorb 16 gallons of rainwater during heavy storms.
Brightline West’s future may rely on $6 billion federal loan
The company has until Nov. 2 to make a $400 million equity investment into its proposed high-speed rail line.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association