Grants, contributions, a collaboration with the Institute for Classical Architecture & Classical America, open minds, and tight budgets are helping Habitat for Humanity raise its design standards.
" 'To be effective, affordable housing should be dispersed throughout healthy historic neighborhoods that have an intact community structure and access to transit,' says NEA Director of Design Jeff Speck. 'But these neighborhoods often resist Habitat houses, not for socioeconomic reasons, but simply because Habitat's designs are not compatible with their historic fabric.' Speck helped bring ICA (now ICA&CA) and Habitat together shortly after becoming NEA director in 2003 "in hopes that they may find a way around this problem.' He says, 'The program that they have created is an inspiring model of how designers can direct their talents towards the service of society.' "
FULL STORY: Habitat aims to improve affordable housing design

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

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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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)