Ron Nyren looks at 10 affordable housing developments across the world completed in the last five years that demonstrate good design and low-cost housing are not mutually exclusive.
In the hands of capable designers and progressive developers, a new generation of affordable housing is proving that such projects can bring value to residents and the communities in which they're located.
"Though tight budgets may restrict options for materials, architects have found ways to add variety, mixing exterior textures and colors, breaking up massing, and integrating art into the architecture. Careful siting leaves room for generous outdoor open spaces-whether landscaped courtyards or public plazas-that provide places for residents to get to know each other or enjoy a respite from life in the city," writes Nyren.
The projects that Nyren cites to prove his argument can be found in cities as diverse as San Francisco, Winnipeg, Brooklyn, and Renton, Washington. Nyren documents each project with an image and short description that makes for an inspirational argument for those who lament that good design can only be afforded by those with deep pockets.
FULL STORY: ULX: The Art of Affordable Housing
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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
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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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.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
