An editorial from a building industry leader criticizes the Australian government's simplistic thinking on increasing the production of affordable housing.
"Recent media statements by Treasurer Peter Costello and Prime Minister John Howard relating to the problem have focused on increased land prices and the inflationary impacts of urban growth boundaries. But this debate has failed to take into account two other factors that are pushing home ownership out of reach â€" development opportunities in established suburbs, and property taxes."
"Recent reforms to industrial relations legislation mean the Victorian building industry is well placed to build a diverse range of homes at competitive prices. But the industry cannot influence the price of land â€" this can only be affected by a State Government that is prepared to provide the building industry with development opportunities in the inner suburbs â€" a move that may prove unpopular in the short term, especially with local government, but will boost housing affordability."
FULL STORY: More land won't ease home crisis
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley
The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
How Urban Form Impacts Housing Affordability
The way we design cities affects housing costs differently than you might think.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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.
