Urban Infill Housing: Myth & Fact

This is the third in a series ofpublications by the Urban Land Institute designed to address myths regarding growth and land development.

1 minute read

July 8, 2001, 7:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


Thefirst myth and fact publication addressed transportation issues; the secondpublication addressed myths surrounding smart growth. This publication isunderwritten by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development aspart of a larger partnership designed to encourage the development of housingin our cities. ULI and HUD have worked with cities around the country to identifykey challenges associated with the development of urban infill housing as wellas strategies and recommendations to overcome those challenges.Over the past several years, cities have worked hard to reestablish themselvesas places where people want to live, work, and play. Increased investment and afocus on urban revitalization are paying off as interest in downtown living rises.Developers, including many who historically have developed in the suburbs, haveresponded by rehabilitating or converting older buildings, constructing newmixed-use projects, and developing new infill projects in existing neighborhoods.However, infill development presents a unique set of challenges and involvesissues that vary according to the circumstances of the individual project.

Thanks to Urban Land Institute

Wednesday, July 4, 2001 in Urban Land Institute

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

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.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today