Developments boom in high risk fire areas, even as fires continue to increase in duration, severity and damage.
Americans continue to move west, and not just anywhere in the west. Americans continue to move to wildfire country. Even as damage from wildfires affects more American homes every year demand for these homes continues to grow according to Chris Kirkham of the Wall Street Journal. The 2010s have seen a huge jump in the number of homes damaged by fire and the costs of firefighting.
Some question the wisdom of these developments, but the article points out that one possible cause of the problem may be a misalignment of incentives, "While decisions on where to develop are made at the local level by private citizens and municipal planners, the costs of fighting fires are mostly picked up by taxpayers at the state and federal level."
Regardless of the cause development marches forward, Kirkham describes how "on the northern rim of Los Angeles, a developer is planning to build a 188-unit luxury community in one of the state’s highest-risk wildfire zones." These developments take place against the backdrop of California's now year-round fire season.
Developers counter that they can work with fire officials to build safely even in these high risk zones. The story quote Stephen Haase, senior vice president at Baldwin & Sons, a developer in San Diego "We have to live with and plan for fire. We think we can do so in a safe manner, and make sure it’s not a threat to the community."
FULL STORY: As Wildfire Risk Grows in the West, So Does Home Building
A Housing and Eviction Crisis Still Hangs Over the U.S., Just Like the Pandemic
Checking in with the numerous risks in the housing market as the economic fallout of the pandemic as approaches it approaches its second year.
Pre-Fab Buildings to Ease the Housing Crisis
Modular housing is cheaper and faster to build compared to conventional buildings. These advantages could make it an effective and viable way to increase apartment housing stock.
The Demographics of Leaving California
The state is seeing an outmigration of residents moving to more affordable places, but it isn’t just wealthy retirees leaving the Golden State.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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.
