Density

Single-Family Housing Development

This Washington City Quietly Eliminated Single-Family Zoning

Walla Walla's 2018 zoning reforms included adaptive reuse, reduced parking requirements, and more relaxed rules for accessory dwelling units.

August 5, 2021 - The Urbanist

Manhattan Retail

Too Much Commercial Zoning for Affordable Housing in SoHo's Controversial Rezoning Plan?

Mayor Bill de Blasio is crossing the finish line of his time in office at the same time as one of the most controversial rezoning processes of his administration.

July 22, 2021 - New York Post

An image of the Raleigh skyline, with older residential buildings in the foreground and taller commercial buildings in the background.

Duplexes and Townhomes Legalized in Raleigh

Raleigh, North Carolina is the latest city in the United States to relax zoning restrictions in residential neighborhoods as a component of a housing affordability strategy.

July 8, 2021 - The News & Observer

Charlottesville Downtown mall

Controversial Comprehensive Plan Update Moves Forward in Charlottesville

Residents have had a chance to oppose the new residential density proposed by the "Charlottesville Plans Together" comprehensive planning process.

July 1, 2021 - The Daily Progress

Charlotte

Charlotte's New, Controversial Comprehensive Plan to End Single-Family Zoning

A tight vote after months of controversy has produced a major zoning reform effort that differs significantly from recent examples on the West Coast and in Minneapolis.

June 30, 2021 - Charlotte Observer

Germany

Five of Europe's Most Interesting Urbanism Trends

Cities around the continent are taking steps to reimagine transportation, housing, and energy use with intriguing projects that could provide useful lessons for American cities.

June 25, 2021 - Volts

New York City

How the Built Environment Impacts Public Health

New research sheds light on how the brain responds to urban environments and architecture.

June 18, 2021 - American Society Of Landscape Architects

House

Are We in a Housing Bubble?

As the pandemic shifts housing priorities and costs continue to soar, experts assess the potential for a crash similar to 2008's Great Recession.

June 16, 2021 - Vox

Detached backyard cottage in Oregon

Strong Demand in the First Month of Chicago's Coach House Pilot Program

The first month of a three-year pilot program that legalizes the construction and conversion of coach houses—a local form of accessory dwelling unit—is responding to strong demand in Chicago.

June 16, 2021 - Chicago Tribune

Downtown Flint Michigan along Saginaw Street

How Much Land Is Lost to Wide Streets?

New research assesses the land value of street space in 20 of the largest counties in the United States.

June 9, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Connecticut Capitol Building

Connecticut Approves Statewide Zoning Reforms—Bill Awaits Governor's Signature

Advocates and political supporters are calling HB 1607 an incremental, first step, after the process of building a winning political coalition cut back some of the original ambition of the statewide zoning reform effort.

June 2, 2021 - Hartford Courant

Back Bay Boston

What Is Multi-Family Housing?

Often discussed in contrast with single-family zoning, multi-family housing includes buildings and complexes that house more than one household in the same property.

June 1, 2021 - Diana Ionescu

San Diego Trolley

San Diego High-Speed Rail Plan Counts on Future Density

Despite slowing population growth statewide, officials believe the region will "grow into" the new rail system if cities promote dense development around transit stations.

June 1, 2021 - San Diego Union-Tribune

Detached backyard cottage in Oregon

San Diego Residents Challenge the City's ADU Regulations

Residents in some of the city's single-family neighborhoods worry about the potential impacts of ADU construction on local character and parking.

May 24, 2021 - San Diego Union-Tribune

New York City Construction

The Housing Supply Debate: Evaluating the Evidence

Let's rely on science, not ideology and propaganda, when planning solutions to urban unaffordability. Look for credible evidence in the peer-reviewed publications referenced here.

May 13, 2021 - Todd Litman

Single Family Residential Construction

The Housing Affordability Recipe

Smart policies can ensure that low- and moderate-income households can find suitable housing in good neighborhoods where transportation costs are low. The research is clear: upzoning works.

May 3, 2021 - Governing

Vancouver

Vancouver Considers Easing Rezoning for Social Housing

The proposal would let non-profits build housing developments of up to six stories without a public rezoning process in mid-rise neighborhoods.

April 29, 2021 - The Province

Washington, D.C. Historic District

Balancing Aesthetics and Affordability

Policies too narrowly focused on design can drive up the cost of construction and prevent the development of affordable housing.

April 20, 2021 - Slate

Urban Infill

Density Skepticism and Neighborhood Protection

Resistance mounts to the zoning reforms gaining traction in the United States.

April 16, 2021 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Back Yard

With Regulations Loosened, Granny Flat Construction Soars in California

Less restrictive permit laws and pre-fabricated, pre-approved building options are spurring more homeowners to build backyard additions.

April 9, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.