Housing
Cities Draft Laws To Limit McMansions
Local municipalities are drafting laws to crack down on McMansions by imposing strict building restrictions, a move that has sparked controversy between officials and homebuilders.
City Struggles With Density Issue In Fighting Global Warming
Menlo Park, California, struggles with the compatibility of being green and fighting climate change, while resisting high density housing, even around transit stations and corridors.
Bill Would Allow Extra Units To Be Priced Affordably
The Boston suburb of Boxford is on the verge of approving a measure that would allow residents to rent extra housing space at state affordable housing prices. Boxford and other suburbs are looking to reduce their low stock of affordable housing.
Looking For Peace And Quiet At Home
City dwellers and suburban homeowners alike are seeking solutions to muffle the constant stream of sound in their homes.
Prefabricated Homes Attracting Buyers At Both Ends Of The Housing Spectrum
Many modern day manufactured homes have upgraded their looks, attracting both buyers looking for value as well as style and sustainability.
Housing Glut Seems to Be Escalating
Some markets have experienced a dramatic increase in housing listings, according to a report by ZipRealty, a California real estate broker.
Affordable Housing Plan Approved In Chicago
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's plan to require developers to set aside part of new projects as affordable housing passed by a vote of 44-2.
New Urbanist Revival For Low Income Housing In Seattle
A former area of low-income housing has been redeveloped as a New Urbanist neighborhood in Seattle. The housing stock has almost doubled -- and nearly 40% of it is priced for very low income families.
English PM-Hopeful Proposes Green Housing Plan
The man many expect to become the new English Prime Minister has proposed a plan to create 100,000 houses in five carbon-neutral "eco-towns" to help fight back against the country's housing crunch in a sustainable way.
'Tent City' For Oakland's Homeless
City officials in Oakland, California, are proposing the creation of a "tent city" to provide temporary shelter to the homeless. Advocates say the private tents will be preferred to the city's existing barracks-style shelters.
Rent Regulation: The Right Tool for the Right Job
Far too many discussions about the 'failures' of rent control don't take into account what such regulation is really designed to do -- namely, provide housing stability and protect against displacement. Before allowing rent control regulation to wither in New York City and elsewhere, it's a good idea to consider how much residents and society overall benefit from these imperfect policies.
New Condo Towers Pit 'Boomers' Versus 'Echo-Boomers'
Though swank new condo towers in certain hip metro markets are catering to young singles, empty nesters are ruining the party by purchasing units as well.
Affordable Housing May Be New Life For Gang Hangout
Los Angeles has knocked down a former "Crips" gang hangout and has plans to convert it into affordable housing.
Manhattan's Tight Rental Market To Get Tighter
With Manhattan rents skyrocketing and vacancies dropping, many renters are resorting to creative, and often questionable living arrangements. Builders have shied away from rentals and gone into condos while potential buyers are choosing to rent.
Opponents May Stop Fee Raise That Would Pay For Affordable Housing
Political opposition may stand in the way of Oregon's plans to raise money for affordable housing by increasing the fees paid when filing real estate documents by more than 100%.
UK Officials Look To Counteract Housing Crunch
The supply of housing is being overpowered by demand in England, and government officials are hoping to establish measures that would ease the process of building new homes and increase the amount of affordable housing.
Converting Trailer Park Housing To Home Ownership Opportunities
Manufactured-home communities, long vulnerable to displacement at the whim of park owners, are working with nonprofit partners to increase resident ownership of the land.
The Purchase of a Lifetime
When luxury condo developers started buying up properties on W Street in D.C., the low-income tenants who already lived there decided to get in the game.
Is The 'Florida Panhandle International Airport' Coming?
A development company has agreed to donate 4,000 acres of land to create a large, international airport in the Florida Panhandle, a controversial move they hope will bring enough people and economic activity to support the houses they plan to build.
Is Downtown L.A. Headed For A Condo Glut?
Developers plan to build an 'iconic' 76-story structure in downtown Los Angeles. It would be the tallest residential tower west of Chicago and dramatically alter L.A.'s skyline.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
