Housing
Greening Levittown - One House At A Time
Levittown, Long Island has undertaken a green makeover, complete with individualized energy audits that enable improvements to reduce each home's carbon footprint by 20%. But greening the houses doesn't make for a green neighborhood.
Who Will Sort the 'Trash-Outs'?
Amid the many negative impacts from the fallout of the subprime crisis is an emerging and disturbing trend: foreclosed homeowners are trashing their properties on their way out the door.
The Suburban Home: an Asset or a Liability?
This article from The Atlantic looks at the rising troubles experienced in the nation's suburbs since the foreclosure explosion.
Forcelosure Hot Spots
This article from Forbes examines foreclosure data to map out the cities that have been hit hardest by the subprime mortgage bust.
Rent Control Under Fire In California
A California ballot initiative heading to voters in June could bring an end to the state's rent control laws.
Oakland to Open Eco-Friendly Homeless Shelter
Crossroads, a 125-bed homeless facility, incorporates green building concepts to better serve its clients. Many homeless people have respiratory-related health problems and a green building will be healthier for them.
A Kick in the Fannie Mae?
Troubled by allegations of fraud by a former CEO, and weighted down by trillions of dollars in possibly worthless mortgage-backed securities, Fannie Mae may also be the victim of a federal agenda of privatization, writes Scott Thill.
Bringing San Francisco's Sixth Street Back to Life
San Francisco's Sixth Street has been decidedly run-down for years. But redevelopment efforts -- including the likely seizure of a vacant and historic hotel building -- may be changing the face of the street for the better.
Trouble Occupying Housing Stock in New Orleans
Housing is a hot commodity in New Orleans, but many homes still sit vacant. Getting people into these vacant homes is proving to be a major challenge for the city.
Neighbors Nix Proposed Traditional Neighborhood Development
Despite County and municipal comprehensive plans that advocate for higher density new development in targeted growth areas, neighbors have strongly opposed the creation of a zoning amendment that would allow a development of 3,000 homes on 300 acres.
Housing Slump Not Recession Culprit
In this piece from Reason Samuel Staley argues that the housing crisis can't be fully blamed for the economic recession.
Study Considers Global Warming's Impact on B.C. Real Estate
This report from the Suzuki Foundation examines climate change impacts on equity of land values in British Columbia.
Friday Funny: The Amazing Disappearing House
A woman in Russia returned home form vacation recently to an empty plot of land. Her home was mistakenly demolished as developers readied a site for new construction.
Proposal To 'Unbundle' Parking Heads To San Francisco Supervisors
A San Francisco supervisor has proposed several changes in parking regulations that will result in reduced new housing costs, and potentially reduced car ownership and operation. It requires the approval of the Board of Supervisors.
Report Says Canadian Government Needs to Renew Social Housing Funding
A recent report from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities is calling on the federal government to keep up tis funding of housing and shelter programs after they expire in 2009.
Preserving Kabul
A broad cleanup and revitalization project in the oldest parts of Kabul, Afghanistan, are bringing new life to the war-ravaged city.
New Orleans Stumbles With Homeless Plan
With booming homelessness since Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is looking to unconventional approaches to handling the issue. But things aren't quite working out as planned.
Cleveland: Subprime's 'Epicentre'
Cleveland, which last week filed suit against 21 banks to regain revenues lost from a massive wave of foreclosures, epitomizes the extent of America's housing crisis.
Report Calls Subprime Lending Ruthless, Racist
A new report from United for a Fair Economy (UFE) accuses subprime lenders of deliberately and aggressively targeting poor and minority households.
Aging Boomers to Cause 'Epic Transition' in Housing Market
A new report in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Planning Association examines how home-owning and aging baby boomers will drastically affect the housing market.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
