Housing

Dense informal settlement on steep hillside in Brazil.

Housing as a Climate Resilience Strategy

Ensuring that housing, including in informal settlements, is safe and healthy for its residents is a key tool in the fight to build more sustainable and equitable communities in the face of climate migration.

December 11, 2024 - Time Magazine

Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota skylinw with stone arched brige in foreground.

Minneapolis Awards Affordable Housing Funds

The city awarded over $17 million to affordable housing construction and rehabilitation projects.

December 11, 2024 - City of Minneapolis

Large homes with large yards in suburban cul-de-sac near Atlanta, Georgia.

Commentary: Minimum Lot Sizes Drive Up Housing Costs

How making residential building requirements more flexible can ease the housing crisis and make neighborhoods more livable for more households.

December 11, 2024 - Strong Towns

Multifamily housing under construction.

To Build More Housing, Cities Must Be Smarter in How They Use Land

How strategic land use policy decisions can alleviate the housing crisis and limit unsustainable sprawl.

December 11, 2024 - John D. Landis

Yellow San Diego Unified School District school bus.

San Diego School District Could Accelerate Workforce Housing Program

A proposal to build housing on five district-owned properties could yield 1,000 housing units for low- and moderate-income district employees.

December 10, 2024 - Governing

View from back of classroom of elementary school children at desks with raised hands engaged in class.

Why Some Affordable Housing Managers Are Running Education Programs

Many housing organizations are finding that educational programs are a logical — and valuable — addition to their offerings.

December 9, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial view of small town of Sparta, Wisconsin.

Opinion: Federal Government Must Continue Supporting Rural Housing Program

The incoming Congress will have a say in bolstering — or harming — the only federal housing program focused on affordable housing in rural areas.

December 8, 2024 - The Daily Yonder

View of snowy buildings and mountains in background in Denver, Colorado.

Federal Resilience Program a Lifeline for Affordable Housing Providers

The little-known Green and Resilient Retrofit Program funds upgrades and repairs that improve efficiency and comfort in existing housing stock.

December 6, 2024 - Next City

Aerial view of suburban neighborhood with large houses and green grass near Columbus, Ohio.

Central Ohio Leaders Form Regional Housing Partnership

A new coalition will seek to address growing housing needs and improve affordability by supporting new housing development across the region.

December 6, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Vintage multi-story brick apartment building and modern concrete and glass apartment building separated by a steep public stairway in Los Angeles, California.

Analysis: Localized Upzoning Less Effective

Changing zoning rules for a small number of parcels can increase land values and housing costs without boosting the housing supply.

December 5, 2024 - Governing

Group of children with backpacks walking toward colorful modern school building.

Expanding the Mission: Community Groups Serving Schools

Some community development organizations have added education to their traditional focus on housing and economic development, looking for ways to support families and children by partnering with local school districts. How is it working?

December 5, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial view of DeKalb County Courthouse and surrounding area in Auburn, Georgia.

DeKalb County Launches Housing Assistance Program

The $13 million initiative will support local organizations providing wrap-around services and housing assistance to residents at risk of eviction or experiencing homelessness.

December 5, 2024 - WSBTV

Adult man talking to young woman across wooden garden fence with young girl standing next to him.

For Some, Co-Housing Offers Social and Economic Benefits

Residents of co-living developments say the built-in community helps ease the growing isolation felt by many Americans.

December 4, 2024 - NPR

Row of old brick homes in Flushing, Queens, New York with high-rise buildings in background.

NYC Likely to Legalize ADUs as Part of ‘City of Yes’ Reforms

Homeowners in some neighborhoods could soon be able to build accessory dwelling units in their backyards, garages, or basements.

December 4, 2024 - Business Insider

Empty street and high-rise buildings in downtown Chicago, Illinois during COvid-19 pandemic.

Major US Cities Still Suffering Downtown Decline

Research shows that the “donut effect” hollowing out central business districts since the pandemic continues to cause economic decline in the 12 largest American cities.

December 3, 2024 - Stanford University News

Vacant pedestrian overpass and skyscrapers in downtown financial district at night.

Office Conversion Sees No Sign of Slowing

The adaptive reuse of office buildings for residential and other uses will grow by as much as 63 percent in 2024 over last year.

December 3, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

"Vote Here Today" yard sign in front of brick building.

November Must-Reads: Top 10 Articles From Last Month

The future of planning in the second Trump administration, housing policy, and highway removal — here are Planetizen’s most popular headlines from November 2024.

December 3, 2024 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up of laptop with real estate listings shown on map.

Cities and States Taking Action to Limit Rent-Setting AI

Federal prosecutors are charging a software company with using algorithms to artificially inflate rents.

December 2, 2024 - CALmatters

Interstate 794 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Interstate Removal Would Create Space for Thousands of New Housing Units

A proposal to replace the elevated Interstate 794 with a boulevard could create over a billion dollars in new development along the corridor.

December 2, 2024 - Urban Milwaukee

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

Seattle Legalizes Co-Living

A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.

December 1, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

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.