ULI Takes the Country's Pulse with 'America in 2015' Report

With the recently released America in 2015 report, the Urban Land Institute undertakes a broad survey to discover what Americans are looking for in their communities.

1 minute read

May 12, 2015, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Jenn Stanley shares insights into the America in 2015 report [pdf], released recently by the Urban Land Institute. According to the report, the America in 2015 survey is designed to address a core question facing every American: "what do we want in our communities?"

Stanley pulls from the survey's findings a nugget of particular relevance to planners hoping to shape better places in the future: As a group, Millennials express high levels of dissatisfaction with their housing options. As Stanley explains, the report "counts 15 percent of millennials as 'dissatisfied with their community’s quality of life and their current homes, and 21 percent are dissatisfied with their housing options.'" Stanley adds: "Across the board, 25 percent of renters are unhappy with housing options."

Stanley pulls a few more relevant findings from the report, including insights into the differences of opinion between wealthy and low-income Americans as well as the universal importance Americans place on access to healthy foods. 

Monday, May 11, 2015 in Next City

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A swamp in South Carolina with tall pale trees and Spanish moss in the water.

Satanic place names

From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.

October 31 - The Daily Yonder

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight