New national rules will prevent local councils from limiting development in an effort to ease the nation’s housing crisis.
New Zealand plans to ease zoning restrictions to allow for more housing development, reports Charlotte Graham-McClay for the Associated Press. New legislation requires cities to free up land for development and accommodate projected growth for the next 30 years, rather than the three years required by prior regulations.
The new rules prevent local councils from imposing urban boundaries or banning mixed-use development. They will also prohibit local councils from mandating balconies, minimum sizes, and other requirements that make development more expensive.
Housing costs in the country have soared in the last two decades and remain much higher than in 2019. New Zealand renters spend a higher percentage of their income on rent than residents of any other country, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, saw success with a similar policy introduced in 2016, which led to a significant boost in construction and lower housing costs.
Some legislators opposed the change, saying that urban growth won’t be sustainable without additional government investment in infrastructure, and that sprawl could destroy valuable agricultural land.
FULL STORY: New Zealand will radically ease zoning rules to try to relieve its housing shortage
DC Residents Want Affordability Over ‘Character’
A poll finds that most residents want to see changes in zoning and land use laws that unlock more housing construction in the District and improve affordability.
2024: The Year in Zoning
Cities and states are leaning on zoning reform to help stem the housing crisis and create more affordable, livable neighborhoods.
NYC’s Proposed Zoning Reforms Lag Behind Other Cities
Cities like Austin and Minneapolis are making major changes to their zoning codes to encourage housing construction, but New York’s proposed reforms are far less ambitious.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
Demise of Entertainment Industry Mirrors Demise of Housing in LA
Making movies has a lot in common with developing real estate: producers = developers; screenwriters = architects; directors = general contractors. The similarities are more than trivial. Both industries are now hurting in L.A.
How Public Spaces Exclude Teen Girls
Adolescent girls face unique challenges and concerns when navigating public spaces. We can design cities with their needs in mind.
Proposed Ohio Budget Preserves Housing Trust Fund
The Senate-approved budget also creates two new programs aimed at encouraging housing construction.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)