In contrast to much of the United States, where home sizes are growing again following the recession, developers in Southern California are increasingly building attached homes - reversing the region's history of single-family sprawl.
"Faced with a dearth of developable land, home builders across Southern California are cramming more houses into less space," observes Conor Dougherty. "Many are dispensing with the single-family homes that have defined the region's development for half a century (Exhibit A: 'The Brady Bunch'). In their place they are building somewhat smaller structures in the form of townhouses or pairs of homes that share one wall."
"Rising home and land prices are driving the shift toward attached houses, but they aren't the only factors," he continues. "Many home buyers are willing to trade a smaller structure for a shorter commute to work."
FULL STORY: Land Crunch Hits Builders in 'Brady Bunch' Country
Connecticut Assembly to Reconsider TOD Bill
The ‘Work, Live, Ride’ bill would prioritize funding for designated transit-oriented zones to encourage denser development near transit.
Study: Single-Staircase Buildings Pose No Additional Risks
Zoning codes have long prohibited single-stair residential buildings due to safety concerns, but changing that could lower the cost of construction and allow for more flexible housing designs.
The Key Role of Row Houses in Philadelphia and Baltimore
The row house is ubiquitous in the two cities, but their policies on design and preservation vary widely.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
House Moves to Rescind California’s Emissions Standards
The state has been allowed to set its own emissions goals, including a mandate to transition to electric or zero-emissions vehicles by 2035.
Portland Proposal Would Suspend Development Fees to Spur Housing Construction
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson announced their policy plan Thursday, with the goal to jumpstart housing construction.
Honolulu Community College Celebrates Culture and Sustainability
Honolulu Community College brought together more than 320 students, staff, and community members for a day of Hawaiian cultural activities, music, and sustainability-focused learning at its annual Hoʻolauleʻa celebration.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions