Single Family Homes

Eviction

The Star-Studded Discussion of the National Housing Debate

Residential zoning has long been considered a local issue, but some presidential candidates have started weighing in on zoning and housing. Journalists, pundits, and researchers have plenty of complexity to examine as the debate changes venue.

July 25, 2019 - KCRW

Los Angeles Bungalow Court

On the Massive Carbon Savings of Gentle Density

A thought experiment compares the carbon impact of three new single family homes with the same block if it contained a duplex, a triplex, and a fourplex.

June 13, 2019 - Sightline Institute

Washington D.C.

Report: D.C. Metro Area Still Needs More Housing

Despite a downtown construction boom, housing is still scarce across the Capital Region. And nearly two-thirds of new homes built since the year 2000 have been single-family structures.

June 1, 2019 - Brookings

Amazon Fulfillment Center

Grappling With the Potential Impact of Amazon's HQ2

What does it mean for housing planning if your county gets Amazon's second headquarters? Virginia's Loudoun County contemplates that possibility with a mix of confidence and trepidation.

September 27, 2018 - Loudoun Now

Sprawl

Opinion: L.A. Needs to End Land Use Policies That Block Housing Construction

Mark Vallianatos argues Los Angeles is still contending with the legacy 1920 era land use restrictions built on racist, exclusionary zoning policies, the remnants of which aren't worth saving.

April 19, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

Complying With New State Laws on ADUs No Easy Matter

Santa Rosa is struggling to complying with two laws passed last year to encourage construction of inlaw units to increase affordable housing. Council members are concerned that loosened restrictions would degrade neighborhood character.

December 11, 2017 - The Press Democrat

Eichler

Third Rail of the Housing Debate: More Density in Single-Family Neighborhoods

If California is going to address its chronic housing shortage, single-family residential neighborhoods can no longer be ruled "off limits." Opposition to a small Berkeley subdivision spawned new housing legislation and fostered the YIMBY movement.

December 5, 2017 - The New York Times

Back Yard

Yards Slim Down as House Size Grows

As the footprints of the average suburban home grows and lot sizes shrink, the traditional sprawling yard is getting squeezed out.

October 19, 2017 - Trulia

New York City Zoning Map

Zoning's Role in Segregation

An editorial in the New York Times argues that exclusionary zoning reinforces segregation and must be curbed.

August 8, 2017 - The New York Times

San Francisco, California

Density Debate Fills San Francisco's Balboa Reservoir

Developers, neighbors, and housing advocates are debating the fate of the Balboa Reservoir. Their visions for how many units should be built there range from 680 to 1,245.

July 12, 2017 - Beyond Chron

HP Campus, Palo Alto

Palo Alto City Council Changes Zoning Language to Make Software Companies Legal in the City

Strange as it may sound, the city in the heart of U.S. software country had an ordinance that made such companies were illegal, even though such companies are common in the city.

May 9, 2017 - Palo Alto Weekly

Golden Gate

A Public School Teacher on Trying to Raise a Family in San Francisco

Trevor McNeil and his wife make a little too much for their family of five to be eligible for low income subsidies. If one of them were to quit their job, they fear they wouldn't be able to afford the lifestyle they want to live.

April 20, 2017 - The Bay City Beacon

Homes

Maryland Program Looks to Put Student Loan Debtors in Homes

A novel initiative called Maryland SmartBuy aims to help those with student loan debt buy homes.

December 3, 2016 - The Washington Post

Seattle SUper Bowl Parade 12th Man Flag

Seattle Sees Persistent Demand for Apartments

Data from a 2015 study of Seattle housing shows demand for apartment is robust and likely to stay that way.

October 14, 2016 - Smart Growth Seattle

Old houses with large porch and colorful siding

The Changing World of the Single Family Home

There is not one single kind of family, so there should not be one kind of "Single Family Home."

October 4, 2016 - Pacific Standard

California House

Starter Homes Are a Non-Starter

As prices rise, especially in desirable urban markets, what used to be called "starter homes" rarely come up for sale. And when they do, they go for more than first time home-buyers can afford.

April 13, 2016 - The Washington Post

Wild Detroit

The Motown Sound Came From Single-Family Homes

Would the Motor City have produced Motown without pianos in every living room?

October 22, 2015 - Urbanophile

Detaching the Family Car from Single-Family Housing

As parking reform takes to multi-family housing, the detached single family home has largely escaped discussion. Should it? Seattle (of course) is taking the lead. Also, is all of Minneapolis ready to eliminate parking minimums along transit lines?

July 14, 2015 - Streetsblog Network

McMansions

Does America Still Want Sprawl?

Increased awareness of sprawl’s negative effects has not led to a drop-off in its construction. Developers say they only build what the market demands.

March 2, 2015 - The Atlantic

McMansion Sign

Are Single Family Teardowns a Sign of Suburban Gentrification?

Luxury condos are often identified as the culprit in urban gentrification, but could it be that teardowns of single family homes that give way to much larger single family homes is a driver of suburban gentrification?

November 2, 2014 - Chicago Tribune

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.