The Charlotte Observer recently described the landscape of proposed apartment developments in the city of Charlotte.
"As denser developments bring hundreds of new apartments, shops and offices to established neighborhoods, residents and Charlotte City Council are struggling with the question of how much is too much," according to an article by Ely Portillo.
According to Portillo, the tension has been rising as Charlotte wrestles with development proposals in areas like Elizabeth, Cotswold, and the Park Road corridor. Much of the article focuses on the political bickering over a proposed development at Seventh and Caswell streets that would add 123 apartments to the neighborhood of Elizabeth, but other neighborhoods are seeing larger quantities of apartments in the planning and development pipeline.
Along Park Road, about 1,600 apartments are under construction or proposed on the stretch between Woodlawn Road and Selwyn Avenue. Council approved 360 more on Monday night. Another proposal that’s pending would redevelop the aging Melrose apartments into a much larger development with 264 new apartments.
The article also devotes a lot of ink to the arguments and soundbites provided to the politicians and neighborhood activists opposing the new wave of apartment developments in Charlotte.
FULL STORY: Neighborhoods wrestling with increased density: How much building is too much?
Vancouver Set To Finalize Broadway Rezoning Plan
A plan to increase density along the city's 'Second Downtown' promises to bring badly needed housing to the corridor as the Broadway subway line nears completion.
Controversial Comprehensive Plan Update Moves Forward in Charlottesville
Residents have had a chance to oppose the new residential density proposed by the "Charlottesville Plans Together" comprehensive planning process.
Charlotte's New, Controversial Comprehensive Plan to End Single-Family Zoning
A tight vote after months of controversy has produced a major zoning reform effort that differs significantly from recent examples on the West Coast and in Minneapolis.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
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.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research