Social / Demographics

Massachusetts Reopens, But Too Early?
Many coronavirus restrictions were lifted on Monday in Massachusetts by Gov. Charlie Baker due to falling COVID cases and hospitalizations, but many experts feel the move is too hasty and could lead to a resurgence in the virus.

Comprehensive Plan Update Stokes Controversy in D.C.
Complex political dynamics are mustering for a showdown over D.C.'s comprehensive plan.

New Healthy Regions Planning Exchange Targets Health Inequities
A new Regional Plan Association initiative is assessing potential solutions to historic inequities in planning policy.

What Is Redlining?
Redlining is the practice of restricting investment in areas deemed high-risk by banks. The term refers to the red color used to denote undesirable areas on maps used by lending institutions to determine loan eligibility.

A Fourth Coronavirus Surge is Likely
The plunge in daily new coronavirus cases has ceased and may be climbing again, but the news is brighter when looking at the summer. Most of the public health experts interviewed by The New York Times believe a surge is likely but not inevitable.

Noise Pollution Harms the Heart, Too
New research shows that excessive noise levels have significant negative impacts on heart health.

How to Fix Racist Housing Policies: Sue the Suburbs
Strengthening U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's civil rights enforcement could send a powerful signal to communities resistant to changing discriminatory housing rules.

Boston Leaders Want A Dog Park in Every Neighborhood
City leaders want to build more off-leash dog parks, partly as a response to the trend of "pandemic puppies" that has led to a sharp spike in urban dog ownership.

Rents Rising Despite the Pandemic
The latest data from CoreLogic from December 2020 shows that despite headlining-grabbing rent declines in San Francisco and New York, some rents are continuing and even surpassing pre-pandemic trends.

Boston to Require Fair Housing Review for New Developments
The Boston Zoning Code is one of the first in the nation to Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing.

What the Livability Index Shows About Housing
A new report highlights inequalities in accessibility and affordability.

Boise Using Adaptive Reuse to Convert Offices to Affordable Housing
Under the city's Grow Our Housing program, vacant offices could see a new life as below-market rentals.

Colorado is Using Free E-Bikes to Fight Climate Change
A state program is giving free electric bikes to residents in an effort to provide more transportation options and reduce dependence on cars.

Haves and Have Nots: Planning and the Deep Divides of the Pandemic
The latest in a series of compendia gathering news and analysis about the effects of the COVID-19 on the built and natural environments—now and long into the future.

Civil Rights Complaint for Providence's Kennedy Plaza Redesign
The state's plan to dismantle and reorganize its busiest bus plaza faces allegations of civil rights violations.

Are We 'Rounding the Corner' in the Pandemic?
All the coronavirus data is moving in the right direction in most of the U.S., yet 130,000 additional Americans are projected to die from COVID-19 by June according to one widely used model.

Affordable Housing for Single Mothers
Of the 346 units included in a new residential high-reside in Toronto, 34 units will provide affordable housing and support services for single mothers.

Another Delay for the Census: Now Expected for September Delivery
The pandemic and political mismanagement are continuing to have an effect on the 2020 Census.

Will Israel Show Us the Way Out of the Pandemic?
If vaccinations are key to ending the pandemic, Israel may get there first as it has the highest rate by far of any nation. Paradoxically, it also has the world's second-highest rate of daily new COVID-19 cases.

Opinion: To Reduce Emissions, Listen to Those Who Don't Drive
An initiative to promote pedestrian-oriented infrastructure investments in Washington state highlights the lessons that policymakers can learn from people who rely on walking and public transit.
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