Despite tumbles in the housing market, low-cost housing is undergoing a boom in Mumbai, India, where the need for affordable housing is high.
Numerous firms are moving in the direction of super-affordable housing, with prices under $10,000.
"After launching the world's cheapest car this year - the bubble-shaped Nano - Tata's housing division announced plans in May to build so-called Nano Homes to cater to this underserved segment. It plans to build 1,300 small apartments outside Mumbai, with prices starting at about 380,000 rupees (about $8,600). The company also plans to launch low-cost housing projects outside other major Indian cities.
Matheran Realty, another real estate giant, plans to build 15,000 flats in the next three years in Matheran, outside Mumbai, available for about 220,000 rupees. India's Godrej group, meanwhile, plans to build a low-cost township outside the western city of Ahmedabad, with apartments ranging from 500,000 rupees to two million rupees."
FULL STORY: Tata test drives its latest version of cheap: The Nano Home
What’s in a Name? Investors vs. Speculators
We don’t often make a clear distinction between investors and speculators, which makes it harder to identify harmful behavior — and to find solutions for it.
How ‘Filtering’ Opens Up Affordable Housing
An analysis of 12 U.S. cities found that new market-rate construction often leads to more affordable units becoming available, but the effect varies across housing markets.
U.S. Housing Least Affordable in History
American households are spending more of their income on housing than at any other point in recorded history.
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.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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)