Neighborhoods achieve significantly more improvements by rehabilitating vacant rowhouses than by introducing new construction.

Over a quarter century, West Philadelphia neighborhoods were improved significantly more by the rehabilitation of vacant rowhouses than the introduction of new construction, according to the major finding of a study by May 8 Consulting and Reinvestment Fund released this month. In addition, the study found that scattered site rehabilitated housing also cost less to construct and used less taxpayer money. The findings have wide implications for policy makers.
Read more about the study in an article written by May 8 CEO Karen Black for Sightline. Sandy Smith also reported on the results of the study for Next City.
Hat tip to May 8 for sharing the news of the study.
FULL STORY: Think Scattered Site Rehab Is Too Expensive? Think Again.

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

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

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

Santa Clara County Dedicates Over $28M to Affordable Housing
The county is funding over 600 new affordable housing units via revenue from a 2016 bond measure.

Why a Failed ‘Smart City’ Is Still Relevant
A Google-backed proposal to turn an underused section of Toronto waterfront into a tech hub holds relevant lessons about privacy and data.

When Sears Pioneered Modular Housing
Kit homes sold in catalogs like Sears and Montgomery Ward made homeownership affordable for midcentury Americans.
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.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions