Kirk Johnson chronicles the nonprofit housing builder's move into larger-scale housing development in Oregon, as it takes advantage of the depressed real estate market, and the kindness of donors.
Although "Across most of the nation, one-at-a-time houses,
financed by church suppers and staffed by volunteer hammer-swingers, are
still the norm for Habitat," as the first phase of the group's largest project in Oregon
history opens this spring on
Portland's east side, Johnson explores the tactical shifts taking place in branches across the country.
"Other Habitat branches have also pivoted in the recession, trying
different angles in a dark time. In Nevada and Florida, for example,
some Habitat groups stopped new construction entirely and shifted to
renovation, buying abandoned properties in cities racked by high
foreclosure rates."
"Business leaders and housing experts said that Portland - partly
through Habitat's timing in betting big in a down market, partly through
a donor network led by Mr. Gray that stepped up to help even as
corporate support mostly collapsed - is creating something that will
resonate long after the recession: Habitat neighborhoods."
FULL STORY: Habitat for Humanity Tries Big-Scale Approach to Housing in Oregon
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
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
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.