A data visualization project illustrates the long and varied traditions of American single-family housing.
Emily Badger shares insights and lessons about the evolution of the American single-family home from a data visualization project by Pop Chart Lab. Among those lessons: "a sense of why the bland sameness of suburban subdivisions is often criticized. There is tremendous variety, and architectural heritage, in the American single-family home."
Badger also offers a few caveats about the poster. First, the "400-year visual history of the American home focuses on single-family houses, and so the collection skews suburban and rural; there are no apartment buildings here." That omission is especially noteworthy because, that is "the housing type that's home to a majority of American families."
Second, the visualization "doesn't give a full sense of how the scale itself has shifted." The beginning of the article includes a lot more detail on how the growing size of the single-family home is one of the most defining features of its evolution.
FULL STORY: A single image captures how the American house has changed over 400 years
How Cities Can Leverage Financial Data for Smarter Urban Planning
Explore how cities can use financial data to enhance urban planning, improve budget allocation, and boost community services.
Only Two US Metro Areas Are Affordable for Homebuyers
Northeast Ohio is the last remaining bastion of housing affordability, according to an analysis from the National Association of Realtors.
The Growing Importance of Data Storytelling
Data storytelling refers to the ability to effectively communicate insights from data using narratives and visualizations. When done right, it can be used to put data insights into context and inspire action from decisionmakers.
Seattle Legalizes Co-Living
A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.
NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project
Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.
The City of Broken Sidewalks
Can Los Angeles fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games?
Study: Automobile Dependency Reduces Life Satisfaction
Automobile dependency has negative implications for wellbeing. This academic study finds that relying on a car for more than 50 percent of out-of-home travel is associated with significant reductions in life satisfaction.
San Diego School District Could Accelerate Workforce Housing Program
A proposal to build housing on five district-owned properties could yield 1,000 housing units for low- and moderate-income district employees.
Denver Transit Board Approves $1.2 Billion Budget
The 2025 budget for the Regional Transportation District is the largest in the agency’s 55-year history.
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.
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
Village of Glen Ellyn
City of Laramie
American Planning Association, Sustainable Communities Division
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport
Rockdale County Board of Commissioners