New affordable housing is only one step toward creating livable communities—a quality mix of uses on the ground floor, designed to integrate with the street and public spaces is also vital.
Oscar Perry Abello shares news of a "newly released guidebook on ground-floor design in mixed-use affordable housing developments.
The NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) launched the process of creating the new design guidelines several years ago, producing the result in partnership with the Design Trust for Public Space, in response to the glaring limitations of ground-floor spaces in new, mixed-use affordable housing developments.
According to Perry Abello, the "87-page guidebook, 'Laying the Groundwork: Design Guidelines for Retail and Other Ground-Floor Uses in Mixed-Use Affordable Housing Developments'...features checklists, illustrations and real-life examples from NYC as well as from other cities." The new guidelines will inform requests for proposals as New York moves forward with Mayor Bill de Blasio's plan to create or preserve 200,000 units of affordable housing in a ten-year period.
The article includes discussion about the long-term effectiveness of the guidelines, much of which will hinge on the role of the city's 72 business improvement districts.
Read the full story: New Design Guide Offers Advice to Affordable Housing Developers
Market Rate Condos Could Replace Harlem Towers Proposal
After facing community opposition and a call for more deeply affordable housing units, developers withdrew their proposal for Harlem’s One45, prompting questions about the future of the site.
New Leadership for New York's Department of Housing Preservation and Development
Vicki Been is leaving her leadership role at the Department of Housing Preservation and Development for a job at New York University.
Community Gardens are Collateral Damage in New York's Affordable Housing Plans
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Housing is the top priority of Seattle’s sole new councilmember
Jenks campaigned on building 1,000 new units of affordable housing.
New tax cuts may slash $1.5 billion in funding for Miami transit, public parks
Amendment 3 will save Miami-Dade homeowners $2,700 in 2028.
Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania hope to finally advance climate goals post-midterms
The three states have spent years under Republican or divided control.
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 Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority