Multifamily Housing

Blue and white Paramus, New Jersey town entrance sign.

New Jersey Calls for 85,000 New Housing Units

A state law known as the Mount Laurel Doctrine mandates that each jurisdiction accommodate enough new housing units to meet the local demand for affordable housing.

October 31, 2024 - Morristown Daily Record

Four-story modern apartment complex with white stucco and red brick.

Housing Measures on the Ballot in November

A survey of housing-related measures on state and local ballots this election season.

October 25, 2024 - Multifamily Dive

Aerial view of purple MBTA train at West Concord station in Concord, Massachusetts.

Massachusetts TOD Law Yielding Results

While some cities are fighting the state’s push to increase density near transit, others are already breaking ground on multifamily projects that will bring hundreds of new housing units online.

October 20, 2024 - Boston.com

High-rise buildings under construction.

Texas Law Lets Neighbors Block Housing Development

A century-old law calls for a three-fourths vote to approve new projects when neighbors oppose the project, blocking affordable housing and multifamily developments.

October 17, 2024 - San Antonio Report

Aerial view of Arlington County, Virginia from an airplane.

Court Blocks Arlington County Zoning Reform

The county’s zoning reform plan would have promoted ‘missing middle housing’ types of up to six units on lots previously zoned for single-family housing.

October 1, 2024 - Reason

Bird's eye view of single-family homes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Can Zoning Reform Save Pittsburgh’s Affordable Housing?

With home sale prices growing faster than anywhere in the country, the Steel City could enact major reforms to boost density and lower housing costs.

September 19, 2024 - Benzinga

Close-up of silver sign indicating 'no smoking' with cigarette inside circle with line. Sign is sitting on patio table outdoors.

SoCal City Bans Smoking on Multifamily Properties

The law prohibits smoking tobacco or cannabis in both indoor and outdoor spaces, prompting backlash from residents.

August 8, 2024 - CNN Newsource

Milwaukee, Wisconsin skyline with houses in foreground.

‘Growing MKE’ Zoning Reform Plan Would Expand Milwaukee Housing Options

Proponents of the plan say the changes would help reverse decades of discriminatory housing policies.

July 30, 2024 - Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Two wood-frame houses under construction.

Commentary: When Neighborhood Change is Inevitable

Changes in the size and type of housing can accommodate different living arrangements and offer opportunities for multigenerational living and aging in place.

June 24, 2024 - Strong Towns

Maricopa County, Arizona

Arizona Legalizes ADUs and Higher Downtown Density Statewide

Two new laws require cities to permit ‘missing middle housing’ near city centers and ADUs on all single-family lots.

May 28, 2024 - The Real Deal

Blue and red colonial-style multifamily homes in Vermont.

Vermont Issues Missing Middle Housing Toolkit

The state wants to encourage mid-density development to ease the housing crisis and provide a wider variety of housing options for residents.

May 24, 2024 - Congress For New Urbanism

Aerial view of Riverside, California with ornate Catholic church tower in foreground and mountains in the distance.

Faith-Based Housing Brings Light Density With Less Resistance

The ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ movement brings together powerful partners to develop housing in areas where development might otherwise encounter opposition.

May 2, 2024 - The New York Times

One-story bungalow court complex in Pasadena, California with leafy green palm trees.

LA Parking Reform is Bearing Fruit

Changes to minimum parking requirements near transit lines are spurring more residential development with little or no on-site parking.

April 28, 2024 - LAist

The front of a purple and gray train running along track with a rail crossing signal on the right.

Second Massachusetts Town Spurns State TOD Zoning Mandate

Marshfield residents voted down a rezoning plan that would have met state requirements for the town to allow development of multifamily housing near MBTA stations.

April 28, 2024 - The Patriot Ledger

Grand Rapids Passes Zoning Reform Package

The new rules aim to make it easier to build small multifamily housing developments.

April 25, 2024 - M Live

Vacant corner lot in Atlanta, Georgia surrounded with low orange plastic construction fencing.

Atlanta Infill Project Takes Inspiration From Dutch Design

A residential development includes a central courtyard designed to be shared by pedestrians and cars.

April 17, 2024 - Urbanize Atlanta

Habitat for Humanity volunteers in construction helmets buildign a wood-frame house.

Habitat for Humanity and Missoula Land Trust Team up on Affordable Housing

The partnership will ensure the new homes will remain affordable for future buyers.

February 22, 2024 - KPAX

Three-story multifamily modern housing in Dallas, Texas.

Dallas City Council Debates Comprehensive Plan

Some councilmembers worry the ForwardDallas plan will eliminate single-family zoning, but proponents say the proposed changes are necessary to maintain an adequate housing supply in the growing city.

February 14, 2024 - Candy's Dirt

Workplaces in a modern panoramic office, New York city view from the windows. Open space. Black tables and brown leather chairs. A concept of financial consulting services. 3D rendering.

Record Number of Office-to-Apartment Conversions in 2024

More than 55,000 apartments across the U.S. are scheduled for conversion from old office space this year, according to a new report.

February 7, 2024 - Yield Pro

Neighborhood in Dallas, Texas

A Survey of Texas Zoning Reform

Zoning changes at the local and state levels are making it easier and faster to build housing.

February 6, 2024 - The Dallas Morning News

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.