Housing

African American Homeownership Rates 'Falling Like a Rock'

Having been particularly targeted by subprime mortgage lenders, neighborhoods with a majority of African American households are bearing the brunt of the housing crisis.

January 18, 2008 - The Nation

The Fight to Save New Orleans' Public Housing

With homelessness rates doubling after hurricane Katrina, activists in New Orleans have filed lawsuits and faced pepper spray and tasers in their fight to save public housing units from being demolished.

January 17, 2008 - In These Times

First Baltimore, Now Cleveland: Banks Facing More Subprime Lawsuits

With thousands of its homes abandoned and public works projects permanently postponed for lack of revenue, Cleveland is filing suit against 21 of the nation's largest banks for their role in the subprime mortgage fiasco.

January 15, 2008 - The New York Times

Strong Housing Policy Would Have Benefits Beyond Housing

The U.S. needs a strong national housing policy -- not just to house the needy, but to save money and improve lives in a wide variety of ways, according to this op-ed.

January 15, 2008 - Movement Vision Lab

Bringing 'The Projects' to Mumbai

Mumbai, Istanbul and other cities in the developing world are launching ambitious slum redevelopment plans that seem doomed to repeat the "urban inhumanity" of western postwar urban renewal projects.

January 14, 2008 - The Globe and Mail

'Affordable-By-Design' Recommended For San Francisco

The Examiner looks at the loss of middle-class housing in San Francisco, and how, based on a new report by a local urban think tank, allowing more flexibility in zoning would allow affordable, but market-rate housing to meet the demand.

January 13, 2008 - San Francisco Examiner

House the Homeless, Save Millions

Building housing fro the homeless in Seattle is saving the city more than $3 million per year, according to this editorial from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

January 13, 2008 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

D.C. Preservationists Deny Ramp For Elderly Couple

In Washington, D.C., the historic preservation office will not allow a ramp to the front door of a 1930s rowhouse, so elderly residents must live in the basement that has access to a back alley.

January 12, 2008 - The Washington Post

Miami's Foreclosure District

The Brickell District in downtown Miami is fast becoming the epicenter of condo unit foreclosure in southern Florida.

January 9, 2008 - The Miami Herald

This is the End, My Suburban Friend, the End

James Howard Kunstler reflects on how the housing crisis fallout will affect American society in an election year.

January 8, 2008 - Jim Kunstler's Blog

Housing Questions for the Presidential Candidates

City Limits Weekly presents a rundown of some of the biggest housing-related issues facing presidential candidates this year and looks at the policies and records of those vying to take over the country's top post.

January 8, 2008 - City Limits Weekly

Mortgage Crisis Solution Is In The Past

In this column, Neal Peirce argues that the country needs to take a step back in time to the regulations and policies of the early 1970s to solve the current mortgage meltdown.

January 7, 2008 - The Denver Post

Keeping Pace With The Real Estate Market Slowdown

Condo developers in Milwaukee are responding to the slowdown in the housing market by slowing down development.

January 1, 2008 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The New Face of Affordable Housing

High design is entering the realm of affordable housing, with numerous projects around the country garnering acclaim.

January 1, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

Looking To Architects As Bellwhethers of Building Industry Trends

This column from The Washington Post looks at the housing and development trends presented by the American Institute of Architects' Home Design Trends survey.

December 31, 2007 - The Washington Post

Thoughts on America's Affordable Housing Shortage

This report from NPR looks at the shortage of affordable housing in America.

December 30, 2007 - NPR

House of Cards

A primer on how the economics of housing have been the foundation of not just urban planning but the whole American economy since the 1930s, and why the current housing crisis could have such a far-reaching impact.

December 29, 2007 - AlterNet

The Shock Doctrine Comes to New Orleans

Naomi Klein believes that HUD's demolition of public housing in New Orleans isn't just about responding to flood damage: it's a classic example of what she calls "The Shock Doctrine" -- using disasters to restructure and privatize whole economies.

December 27, 2007 - AlterNet

Will Retiring Baby Boomers Revive The Cohousing Movement?

Cohousing could be the answer for seniors looking for a strong sense of community and support from neighbors as they age.

December 26, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Utah's Affordable Housing Woes

Strong job growth and a lack of multi-family housing are pushing rents up and squeezing low-income households.

December 25, 2007 - The Salt Lake Tribune

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.

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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.