Since the 1970s, city officials in Lowell, Massachusetts, have been open minded to redevelopment strategies. Today, their patient efforts are paying off as condominium and apartment construction is helping to reinvent this former great textile city.
"Much of Lowell's past efforts to redevelop downtown aimed to attract visitors; now the city wants to make them downtown homeowners, and so far it seems to be succeeding."
"The number of residential housing projects that are in some phase of development or completion -- 1,500 condominium and market-rate apartment units -- shows the change. Most selling prices for condos at various projects -- units are going into old mill buildings and above storefronts -- range from $128,000 to $490,000. A few have sold for more than $700,000.
There's more to come: Last month, Lowell began demolishing buildings in the so-called Hamilton Canal District, which city officials consider the most rundown and crime-ridden area near downtown. New development on the 15-acre site will include 1,000 residential units, 100,000 square feet of office space, and improved access to the riverfront."
FULL STORY: Lowell's third act

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Poorest NYC Neighborhoods Pay Price for Delivery Boom
The rise of ‘last-mile’ e-commerce warehouses — and their attendant truck traffic and air pollution — is disproportionately impacting the most historically disadvantaged parts of the city.

Greening Oakland’s School Grounds
With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.

California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas
Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.
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
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland