Housing

Russian Army Plans Massive Land Auction

In order to raise money to provide much-needed housing for its soldiers, the Russian Army has plans to auction of millions of dollars worth of property -- from huge mansions to entire towns.

March 13, 2008 - BBC

Wilshire Grows and Traffic Follows

A swath of residential developments are ushering in a more dense and more lively atmosphere into L.A.'s Wilshire corridor. But many are concerned that the new residences will add too much traffic to an already congested area.

March 11, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Clamoring for Urbanity in Waco

Proposed housing developments in the urban core of Waco, Texas, have given many in the city high hopes for a denser, more vibrant central city.

March 11, 2008 - The Waco Tribune

'Vultures' Descend on Cheapened Properties

Housing price drops in cities like Miami have "vulture-like" buyers swooping in to snatch up properties.

March 10, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

Affordable Housing May Be Required in San Francisco Redevelopment

A measure to require half of all new housing units in San Francisco's planned redevelopment of Bayview-Hunters Point is heading to the city's June ballot. The developer says the measure will kill the project.

March 8, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

U.S. Homeowners Owe More Than They Own

For the first time since 1945, home equity rates in the U.S. have dropped to below 50% -- figures that could worsen if home prices continue to drop.

March 7, 2008 - CNN Money

Immigrants Feeling Push of Gentrification

Gentrification of one of Vancouver's low-cost neighborhoods in pushing immigrant populations out of the city.

March 7, 2008 - The Vancouver Sun

Evictions Precede Market-Rate Conversion of Affordable Housing

Plans to convert one of San Francisco's public housing projects into market rate housing has resulted in dozens of evictions, and more are expected.

March 7, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Not Only Arsonists Are Opposed to McMansions

Local opposition to McMansions in suburban Seattle was prevalent long before arsonists burned down three luxury homes this week. But those opposed to so-called "rural cluster development" housing worry the criminal acts may work against their goals.

March 6, 2008 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

New Orleans' Homeless: From Tent City to Barracks

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has a new solution for the homeless people living in the tent city near the French Quarter: Move them into barracks.

March 2, 2008 - Raw Story

China's Green Stumbling Blocks

This video series from Frontline looks at plans to create an eco-friendly village in China and why those plans fell short of their goals.

March 1, 2008 - Frontline

Are Planners to Blame for the Mortgage Meltdown?

Randal O'Toole believes that in the search for blame for the mortgage and credit crisis, an obvious candidate is being overlooked: city planners.

February 29, 2008 - Cato @ Liberty

Mortgage Crisis a '50-State Katrina'

Filmmaker Danny Schechter reflects on the extent of America's debt crisis, and wonders if we need something like the Oscars to help name and identify those responsible.

February 28, 2008 - Common Dreams

If You Think Your Neighbors Are Bad...

This post from The Mish Mash shows pictures of some of the worst neighbors to have.

February 26, 2008 - The Mish Mash

Bringing Down the House

Experts differ on the extent to which the economy will be damaged as a result of the mortgage crisis. But almost all agree it's going to get a lot worse.

February 25, 2008 - Time

The Chinese Dream

China's burgeoning middle class is moving out of the crowded and polluted cities to a booming constellation of satellite cities. The suburbanization of China has begun.

February 24, 2008 - Time

Walking Away from the American Dream

The prevalence of mortgage "walkaways" reveals that the mortgage crisis has significantly changed the values associated with homeownership, and reduced the stigma of foreclosure.

February 24, 2008 - Washington Independent

Slumburbs?

The recent phenomenon of housing abandonment in the suburbs is only the beginning: projections now estimate that by 2025 40% of large-lot homes will be standing vacant.

February 21, 2008 - Atlantic Monthly

Calling for a New Development Pattern

As the population booms, the need for housing and development will become even greater over the next 20 years. Many are arguing for a shift away from the cookie-cutter land use patterns of the past.

February 21, 2008 - The New York Times

Portland's Homelessness Plan a Model for Canada

Portland's plan for ending homelessness by 2015 has caught the attention of several Canadian municipalities, which are looking to apply the Portland model to their own cities.

February 20, 2008 - The Globe & Mail

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.

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