Inga Saffron reviews a trio of environmentally friendly rowhouses built for low-income families in Philadelphia's Logan neighborhood, which she proclaims are "superior to anything Philadelphia has done in half a century."
According to Saffron the rowhouses break new ground on several levels: for their stylish and modern designs "both inside and out," their pioneering achievement as the first in the state to be certified by International Passive House Institute, and their remarkably efficient cost of construction. Produced by Onion Flats, "the quirky firm that designs, builds,
develops, and sometimes markets its own residential projects," the homes are "among the most energy-efficient ever built in the United States," a boon to families with annual incomes of less than $25,000 who can ill-afford high energy bills.
"Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the five-bedroom houses," says Saffron, "is that
they cost the same to build as a conventional brick box, about $250,000
apiece, or $129 a square foot. Even so, it's a good bet that few houses
at this cost level - affordable or market-rate - come with high-end
Bosch appliances and fine European windows."
Developed using modular construction techniques, and assembled on-site, "Architect Tim McDonald sees the project as proof that low-income housing can be just
as good as the market-rate version. 'These are zero energy with zero
premium, so there should be zero debate. Why would you build it any
other way?'"
FULL STORY: Changing Skyline: High-quality homes for low-income Philadelphians

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

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

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

‘Displaced By Design:’ Report Spotlights Gentrification in Black Neighborhoods
A new report finds that roughly 15 percent of U.S. neighborhoods have been impacted by housing cost increases and displacement.

Nevada and Utah Groups Oppose Public Land Sell-Off Plan
A set of last-minute amendments to the budget reconciliation bill open up over half a million acres of federally managed land to sales.

More Than a Park: A Safe Haven for Generations in LA’s Chinatown
Alpine Recreation Center serves as a vital cultural and community hub in Los Angeles' Chinatown, offering a safe, welcoming space for generations of Chinese American residents to gather, connect, and thrive amidst rapid urban change.
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.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions