China's private housing boom is fueling a new market for home improvement.
"Home improvement" has arrived in China -- and with it, a potential shopping revolution. As with so many opportunities in the world's most populous country, the market promises to be huge. B&Q, part of Britain's Kingfisher retailing group, estimates that one-tenth of China's 400m households have "western" levels of disposable income, with $1,000 or more a year to spend on home improvements. That number is increasing rapidly."
Thanks to Nathan Banks
FULL STORY: Doing up the Middle Kingdom

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
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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.

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.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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