The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is taking a strong stance in support of zoning regulations that enable new multi-family housing developments.
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) addresses the state of multi-family housing around the state, calling the situation a housing crisis, with an article and collection of media resources on its website.
Elise Harmon writes the article, which promotes a call to action to support zoning that allows and encourages multi-family housing development. Harmon writes in support of state bills, the Governor’s Housing Choice bill (coverage from Planetizen here) and the Great Neighborhoods bill. Taken together, argues Harmon, the bills "offer meaningful reform and help us meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s demand."
According to Harmon, the Great Neighborhoods bill outlines two possible approaches:
The first would simply direct municipalities to designate a district where multi-family construction would be allowed. This leaves the details up to the individual municipality for how to accommodate the new homes. The second approach would set a sliding scale of density targets for the multi-family zone, but allow for exemptions in places where the housing demand is not as strong.
MAPC's "Broken Zoning, Unaffordable Homes: What Can Be Done" series includes additional articles on Accessory Dwelling Units and a platform it has dubbed "Housing Choice Plus."
FULL STORY: Multi-Family Housing | Broken Zoning, Unaffordable Homes: What Can Be Done?
Apartment Construction Ramps Up to Meet New Demand
It's unclear if or when the supply of entry level rental housing options will catch up with the demand, but some cities are building quickly.
Lack of Multi-Family Zones Contributes to Nashville’s High Housing Costs, Study Says
Nashville and surrounding communities allow for a relatively small amount of multi-family housing, according to a new zoning atlas of Middle Tennessee. A regionally focused nonprofit is using the atlas to push for zoning reforms.
New Research on the Effects of Market-Rate Development and Upzoning
A glut of new housing and development research has been published recently, shedding new light on some of the most fundamental questions of contemporary planning.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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