Quartz shares a collection of data showing reasons for optimism on the road to a long, slow recovery.
After describing that the U.S. housing market as "an enduring symbol of the 2008 financial crisis," Melvin Blackman shares a number of metrics that show positive signs.
Positive signs from the market, as described by Blackman:
- Housing starts on the rebound.
- More existing houses being sold.
- First-time buyers are increasing as cash-only buyers decrease.
- Lenders loosening credit.
Each of those points is illustrated with charts and links to the data backing up the claim. But like many in the industry, Blackman notes that the current condition of the market falls short of a "full throated real estate boom." Indeed, the recent "State of the Nation's Housing" report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University described the market as losing momentum and full of bad news for renters.
Read the full story: These charts show all the ways US housing is making its comeback
Condo Sales Drop Everywhere in New York City, But Least of All Outside of Manhattan
A clearer picture of the economic downturn's effects on New York City real estate is emerging. So far, new buyers are betting on boroughs not named Manhattan.
First-Time Home Buyers Look Different Than They Once Did
New home-buyers are a little older and a lot more likely to be single than they were 20 years ago.
In the Housing Market, a Few Decades Makes a Huge Difference
"[P]erhaps at this point, this column should include a trigger warning for any young couple traumatized by the current housing market around here."
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.
Trump is considering data centers on 6 states' public land — some state officials say they had no idea
If the administration approves the proposed projects, data center and data center-related developments will cover 17,600 acres of public land.
After decades of planning, Sacramento gains new light rail station
Trains will arrive every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during non-peak hours.
Massive tunnel-boring machine breaks ground on Gateway Project
The Trump administration revoked funding for the project in October 2025, and then restored it earlier this year.
Airo trainsets begin service on Amtrak Cascades route
The trains feature panoramic windows, complementary wifi and over 300 seats per train set.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello