As the price of land increases, many real estate developers are looking at flat-roof designs as a means of increasing the square footage of houses, much to the chagrin of historical preservationists and municipal officials.
"The flat-roof trend is being driven in part by people seeking the best return on their investment amid soaring property values in recent years. It also demonstrates how zoning restrictions communities passed in recent years have backfired."
The inherent cause of this type of design lies in recent attempts by municipalities to prevent "monsterization" on small lots. The end result is a boxy-shaped house that is out of character with the existing neighborhood.
To combat this trend, local officials in areas such as Bethany Beach, Delaware, and St. Augustine, Florida, have banned flat roofs. Besides concerns over aesthetics, some critics argue over the inherent safety of this type of design.
"Flat roofs can also have drawbacks for owners. They generally don't stand up well to heavy rain and snow, and can require more frequent maintenance than roofs with a traditional pitch, contractors say. Flat roofs can also be more expensive to build, requiring more structural support."
What's more, some realtors complain that flat-roofed styled homes are harder to sell because they "stick out like a sore thumb."
Thanks to Matt Baumann
FULL STORY: Invasion of the Roof Snatchers; The Flat-Top Look Catches On

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.

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
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
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