Urban Homesteading

Baltimore

Baltimore Could Revive Dollar Homes Program

A 1970s program let Baltimore residents purchase city-owned homes for $1. Now, the city council president wants to bring it back.

November 23, 2021 - Fox Baltimore

Chicken Run

Ordinance Would Limit Chickens, Livestock in Chicago Residential Neighborhoods

Noise and smeall are the common complaints as more residents of urban areas bring animals to their home to live more sustainably.

October 16, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Detroit Vacant Properties

Effective Strategies for Tackling Vacant Properties

Urban homesteading as a response to hypervacancy is in the news after South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg proposed the Douglass Plan while on the presidential campaign trail.

August 31, 2019 - Urban Institute

Chicken Run

Legalizing Chickens in St. Louis

If passed, St. Louis's new zoning regulations will allow residents of St. Louis to keep up to eight rabbits or chickens, among other animals.

June 20, 2017 - Next City

Small Town Art

Artists Breathe New Life Into Pennsylvania Town

Long suffering Rust Belt woes and lacking the name recognition of a Pittsburgh or Detroit, York opened its doors to another overlooked group: artists. The results so far are impressive.

April 29, 2015 - Belt Magazine

Newark

American Dream for Sale: $1,000 for an Empty Lot in Newark

In a bid for revenue and rejuvenation, Newark is selling vacant lots for $1,000. Buyers promise to build a home and stay for at least five years.

March 14, 2015 - New York Times

Hardscrabble Braddock, and the Mayor That Won't Give Up

Braddock is a town that lost 90% of its population in the aftermath of the steel industry's collapse. NPR's Jack Lyden talks with mayor John Fetterman about his efforts to revitalize the area.

March 16, 2009 - NPR

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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.