The San Antonio Development Agency and Solar San Antonio have partnered to create a community in the spirit of recently enacted city and state laws that encourage higher-density housing in more energy efficient, nonpolluting urban environments.
Highland Hills Cottages, built on less than 5.2 acres, is designed to have 14 conventional houses on the periphery of the block, each with its own yard. Another 12 smaller houses will go up in the center, with two xeriscaped common lawns between them.The low water-use lawns will be maintained with recycled water and the exterior lighting will be powered by solar panels. SADA is attempting to get solar-powered water heating in most or all of the houses, said SADA Executive Director Manuel Macias."Our goal is to have the lowest utility rates in San Antonio in these cottages," Macias said. "You always know what your mortgage is going to be, but you don't always know what your utility costs are going to be. "If you control that, you are more apt to being able to keep people of low incomes in their homes."
Thanks to Christian Peralta
FULL STORY: Solar energy key to new cottages

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance
The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package
Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane
The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont