Building smaller, more economical and sustainable homes is the talk of the building industry. But is it based on truth? Reporter Andrew Rice says it's anyone's guess with Americans will embrace the "spirit of contraint."
Rice looks at several attempts by builders and architects to create a model "New Economy" home, and documents the rough road they've had bringing the "smaller is better" mindset to the masses.
Rice interviews a who's who of planning minds for the article, including Andrés Duany, Marianne Cusato, Witold Rybczynski, Christopher Leinberger, and Sarah Susanka. Most are hopeful but somewhat jaded about their experiences trying to design smaller, smarter homes and getting them sold. Rybczynski talks about his experience developing the economical "Grow Home" in the early 90s, while Cusato is actually having some success today working with developer LeylandAlliance.
Duany, according to Rice, observed that "buyers will only accept smaller homes, he says, if their surroundings compensate them."
FULL STORY: The Elusive Small-House Utopia

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience
Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action
As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts
Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.
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.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service