Vancouver created its MX zone as a solution to a persistent challenge for planners—how to retain industrial jobs and affordable housing in downtowns.

An article by Frances Bula examines an unusual Vancouver development: "the city’s first effort to combine industrial and residential space in a single building in an industrial zone near the port."
The development is the first to take advantage of a new "MX" zone, namely: "[Vancouver] has designated only a small strip along East Hastings, bordering the port industrial zone a few kilometres east of the central business district, for this new combination of condos with a sector of industrial called PDR – production, design and repair."
The concept of weaving industrial and residential together has been practiced in San Francisco and is also under consideration in New York. According to Bula "[the] tricky part in Vancouver, where land and housing prices have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels, is to ensure that any new zoning doesn’t set off a frenzy of land speculation, as developers bet on the possibility of industrial land being converted to residential."
FULL STORY: Industrial grit meets residential glass in Vancouver

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
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie