A podcast discussion with Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui details how and why the Massachusetts city become a planning trendsetter by adopting an Affordable Housing Overlay earlier this year.
Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui was interviewed on the Land Matters podcast to discuss the Massachusetts city's affordable housing overlay, approved in Fall 2020. The overlay "awards extra height and density and includes a streamlined permitting process for below market-rate residential projects," according to an article that introduces the podcast.
While speaking with Anthony Flint on the podcast, Mayor Siddiqui discusses the importance providing affordable housing options for both newcomers and multi-generational family arrangements.
"We still see such stark inequality in our city, and as someone who's grown up in affordable housing in Cambridge—I would not be here without it. This is an important initiative and policy and I do hope it as a model for other cities across the country," says the mayor.
As Planetizen noted in coverage at the time of the city's adoption of the overlay, Cambridge inspired other cities in the region to explore similar overlays. Since that time, the city of Berkeley on the other side of the country has also taken steps to emulate Cambridge.
FULL STORY: Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui on Fast-tracking Affordability
100 Percent Affordable Overlay: Next Up for Berkeley's Reform Movement
After moving forward with parking and zoning reforms, the Berkeley City Council is also considering a new Affordable Housing Overlay on a model previously adopted in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
What Will Cambridge's New Affordable Housing Overlay Do?
The policy is aimed at reducing the cost of building affordable housing and helping affordable housing developers to better compete on property acquisitions.
Transit-Oriented Housing Development Plan Falls Flat in San Francisco
The Home SF plan was supposed to usher in a wave of new housing development on transit corridors in San Francisco. Now, 2.5 years later, that promise might finally be ready to become reality.
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