Here's a head scratcher: in its ambition to meet the affordable housing goals of Mayor Bill de Blasio, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development has proposed the redevelopment of 15 community gardens on city-owned property.
"The city is looking to develop hundreds of vacant lots, including 15 community gardens, throughout the five boroughs into affordable housing," reports Rebecca on the Brownstoner blog. Brownstoner was one of the first publications to realize the impacts on the city's existing community gardens after the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) released a list of the publicly owned sites available for redevelopment through a request for qualifications from the New Infill Homeownership Opportunities Program (NIHOP) and Neighborhood Construction Program (NCP). The post also provides a list of each of the community gardens slated for redevelopment.
Amy Zimmer and Camille Bautista also picked up on the community garden angle of the de Blasio Administration's affordable housing plans in an article for DNAinfo. Their article includes soundbites from advocates concerned that affordable housing shouldn't have to come at the expense of community gardens. One resident of Morningside Heights shares an anecdote of already finding his local community garden padlocked by the city.
FULL STORY: Closing Bell: City to Build Affordable Housing on 122 Vacant Lots and Community Gardens
How New York City's Appearance Changed Under de Blasio
The former mayor's administration oversaw several major changes in the city's skyline, streets, and public spaces.
Massive Affordable Housing Effort in New York Faces Coronavirus Reckoning
A controversial but sweeping housing initiative in New York City, one of Mayor Bill de Blasio's signature initiatives, had a full head of steam before the coronavirus. Now it's facing drastic cuts.
Affordable Housing Central to SoHo Rezoning Debate
There's no draft rezoning plan for SoHo yet, but there's plenty of controversy.
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?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie