Social / Demographics

Housing Inequality More Apparent in Older Populations
A new report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University digs into the housing market for older Americans, finding more evidence of a widening gap between each end of the wealth spectrum.

Builders Look to Growing Home Rental Market
Subdivisions in states across the country are catering to people who want the benefits of living in homes without the burdens of home ownership.

Study: Historical Redlining Maps No Longer a Proxy for Black America
Black Americans have moved on from formerly redlined neighborhoods, and other minorities and whites have moved in. The wave of presidential campaigns that have based housing policy proposals on redlining maps might be misguided as a result.

So You Want to Be a Planning Commissioner?
San Francisco provides a case study of the immense challenges and scant rewards that await you in a job as a planning commissioner—planning outcomes suffer as a result.

Where to Find the 'Opportunity Bargains' of Economic and Social Mobility
A few blue-collar cities proximate to Boston offer case studies of the "opportunity bargains" identified in the 2018 Opportunity Atlas published by Harvard and Brown universities an the U.S. Census.

A Call for Youth Involvement in Planning the Future
Planning for the future should involve people who are going to live the future.

When Large Corporations Buy Homes and Become Landlords
Since the Great Recession, homeownership is down and corporations are taking advantage of the profit opportunities.

A New Vision for Senior Housing
The interest in less traditional housing arrangements for older people, such as shared housing and cohousing, is increasing.

The Case for Gender Mainstreaming in Transportation Planning
Like the curb cut effect achieved by the Americans With Disabilities Act, which benefitted a much larger cross-section of the population than the legislation originally intended, gender mainstreaming could multiply benefits in the public realm.

D.C.'s Food Hall Boom Going Strong
Food halls continue to be popular additions to the restaurant scene in Washington, D.C.

Seattle Fare Enforcement Disproportionately Punishes Blacks, Data Show
Sound Transit says its fare enforcement system is design to be unbiased, but analysis about fare evader data indicates disparities.

Fresno Feeling Stress of California Housing Crisis
While the Central Valley city was long considered relatively affordable, rents are rising and affordable housing is harder to come by.

'Destination Crenshaw' Showcases South L.A.'s Strategic Advantage—Black Culture
Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson outlines Destination Crenshaw and highlights the economic development and community investment opportunities it brings to South L.A.

Watch: Segregation's Terrible Legacy in U.S. Cities
"Segregation by Design" is a new film available to the public on Vimeo.

What Can Planners Learn from Online Reviews? Examining Reviews of Los Angeles Rail Stations
Eun Jin Shin of Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea, writes about a recent article she authored in the Journal of Planning Education and Research.

L.A. Metro Report Examines How Women Travel
Findings from a new study about the mobility needs and concerns of women in Los Angeles will inform future initiatives and planning.

Opinion: The Old Visions of Suburbia Are an Anachronism
Low-density suburbs are on their way out, and the suburbs of the future will better address the present-day needs of the people living in them.

Debunking the 'Millennials Are Fleeing Cities' Narrative
One of the most-read stories in the urbanism world last week was a Wall Street Journal article about young people between the ages of 25 to 39 leaving the largest U.S. cities. Not so fast with all that, says Jose Cortright.

Report Addresses Climate Change and Equity in New Orleans
A new report details steps the city can take to help prevent climate change and protect its most vulnerable residents.

For Wheelchair Users, L.A. Poses Many Hazards
A trip through the city of Los Angeles reveals the largely overlooked challenges that people with physical disabilities must overcome.
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