Housing on the Rise in American Metros

Cities are increasingly taking on a larger share of new residential development, according to a new analysis by the Environmental Protection Agency.

1 minute read

March 12, 2009, 12:00 PM PDT

By Nate Berg

"In more than half of the 50 most populous metropolitan areas, communities at the urban core have captured a significantly larger share of their region's new residential building permits since 2002 than in the first half of the 1990s, according to an analysis by the Environmental Protection Agency."

"Long-standing patterns remain: A large share of residential construction still takes place on farmland on remote fringes of metro areas. In most regions, new housing in urban core neighborhoods accounts for less than half. Nonetheless, there was a consistent increase in housing in urban centers from 2002 to 2007, and the trend could transform growth patterns in some places for decades to come."

"Changes in demographics, high gas prices and longer commutes on congested roads are generating more interest in smaller homes in urban settings."

Thanks to Reconnecting America

FULL STORY: Urban areas see revival in housing construction

Thursday, March 12, 2009 in USA Today

Housing United States Cities Residential Development Metropolitan Areas

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