Housing

'Right to Rent' as Way out of Foreclosure Crisis

The way out of the foreclosure crisis may not be as difficult or as complex as it has been made out to be, argues Dean Baker of the Center for Economic and Policy Research.

November 20, 2008 - AlterNet

Master-Planned Mixed-Use in Central Ohio

While the goal of these walkable communities is to attract young urban professionals, the benefits, of course, extend beyond that.

November 19, 2008 - The Columbus Dispatch

NYCHA Development Offers Benefits, Raises Concerns

The New York City Housing Authority is using a new strategy to develop new housing by selling open space. HUD oversees how the development works, but some think it does not offer a fair opportunity for community participation.

November 19, 2008 - City Limits Weekly

The Work of Community Development

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has a plan to help the nation's hardest hit homeowners and neighborhoods. But by concentrating assistance in the most devastated areas, few places will be saved, writes Charles Buki.

November 19, 2008 - Charles Buki

Cold War Adaptive Reuse

The underground missile silos of the Cold War-era are still around, but they're not being used. Some people have moved in to reuse one in Kansas as a home.

November 16, 2008 - Studio 360

The Future Homes of Post-Crash America

Just as good economic times pushed housing sizes to mansion-like proportions, the downturn in the economy will force builders and consumers to size down and get energy efficient, according to this commentary from James S. Russell.

November 16, 2008 - Bloomberg

Big Box Retail Owners Ask For Stacked Housing

The two owners of a traditional 8-acre strip, big box retail center in San Francisco have asked for an amendment to the neighborhood plan (undergoing revision) to allow them to add housing on top of their stores, thus doubling the height limit.

November 14, 2008 - San Francisco Examiner

HUD Announces Mortgage Guidelines- But Can't Enforce Them

The Department of Housing and Urban Development says the new rules will help buyers understand broker's fees will limit fee increases, and they are currently seeking legislation to give them the power to enforce the rules.

November 13, 2008 - The Wall St. Journal

Military Town Real Estate Remains Unfazed by Housing Bust

Military towns are seeing home sales go up despite decreasing home values elsewhere across the country, thanks in part to a steady wartime economy.

November 12, 2008 - Chicago Tribune

An 'Urban-Chicken Movement' in North Carolina

North Carolina city dwellers have taken eating locally to a new level by raising their own chickens for eggs. Controversy ensues.

November 12, 2008 - Winston-Salem Journal

Estates for All

Wendell Cox looks at how single-family detached housing came to be, and why it's likely to remain a popular option for the middle class.

November 12, 2008 - New Geography

NJ Town Bristles at Affordable Housing Requirements

'It stinks,'says Mayor John Hipp of Rutherford, New Jersey, as his town struggles to fulfill its requirements for affordable housing. The planning board has reluctantly agreed to require affordable units in a previously planned redevelopment site.

November 10, 2008 - The Leader

HUD Seeks Dollar House Buyers

Desperate to sell dilapidated, foreclosed homes, as well as to lure in local governments willing to build affordable housing, the Department of Housing and Urban Development is offering those properties for just a dollar.

November 7, 2008 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

SF Affordable Housing Measure Defeated

Measure B would have allotted $30 million to lower-income residents who currently can't afford to live in San Francisco.

November 6, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Surprise - Affluent Long Island Hit Hard By Subprime Crisis

Editorial: Long Island is one of the nation's most affluent suburbs. With very high housing values and located by NYC, it would be not expected to be hit hard by the subprime crisis. But it has - and its roots lie in its racially segregated past.

November 6, 2008 - The New York Times

Container Homes Find Niche in Hawaii

Interest in houses made from shipping containers has been rising in Hawaii, where these inexpensive homes' designs can range from studios to multistory apartments.

November 5, 2008 - The Honolulu Adviser

Oregon Feels Pinch of Foreclosure Crisis

The foreclosure scourge has moved its way into Oregon, causing some of the highest rates of loan defaults since the 1980s.

November 3, 2008 - The Oregonian

Light Rail Brings Housing Values Up in Denver

While home values in the rest of the region decline, homes near Denver's light rail system have experienced an increase in values over the past two years.

November 3, 2008 - The Denver Post

The Work of Neighborhood Stabilization

Foreclosures are blighting neighborhoods across the country. There's no question that something needs to be done. But to react effectively, the field of community development needs to carefully consider which areas should be targeted and how much can be saved, argues Charles Buki.

October 30, 2008 - Charles Buki

Obama, the 'Tin-Cup Urbanist'

If history is any indicator, Senator Obama's presidential plans to pump more federal money into fixing cities' problems are futile and wasteful, according to Steven Malanga.

October 29, 2008 - City Journal

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.