The "shadow ordinance" in Fort Lauderdale, FL, prevents buildings from casting too much shadow on to the beach. Architects complain that the resulting building designs are expensive and look the same.
"In the interest of preventing the shade from spoiling Fort Lauderdale?s tourist trade, the city has a -- shadow ordinance-- to prevent buildings from casting too much shadow on the beach.But the law?s requirements have an unintended effect on building design. Architects say it?s virtually impossible to avoid creating buildings that look the same. Even worse, they say, the angled buildings are more costly to construct than a traditional high-rise ? which may be the reason a host of buildings have been approved, struggled for financing, but have not yet been built." [Link corrected thanks to Sheryl Stolzenberg]
Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan
FULL STORY: Critics say law that keeps sun on the sand hampers beach high-rises
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.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
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.
