Detroit and Chicago are Rust Belt cities, and citizens need to understand just how different their situations are from the hot property markets of the coasts, Pete Saunders argues.

Pete Saunders reports on two recent studies examining Chicago and Detroit. The research shows two cities that have more in common with the cities near them than those on the coasts. "Unlike Silicon Valley, moderate density urban/suburban housing stock is still affordable.“ Chicago's challenges lie in stimulating moribund housing markets, not in building more homes," Pete Saunders writes in Forbes. Saunders sees a similar supply dynamic in Detroit.
However, supply is not the only thing slowing demand for housing in the cities. "Chicago and Detroit both suffer from large areas that have long legacies of disinvestment, suffer from negative perceptions that hinder redevelopment opportunities, and housing styles and sizes that don't always match contemporary demand," Saunders reports.
FULL STORY: Understanding Rust Belt Housing Markets

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

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)