Construction Industry
Housing Starts, Permits Declining
Housing starts haven't ben this low in nine months, according to new data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Home Builders Experiencing High Costs and Slow Starts
The Trump Administration's tariffs on Canadian lumber are passing costs down to homebuyers, according to industry experts.
All the Environmental Benefits of Modular Buildings
There is plenty of evidence for modular construction as a key component of a green economy.
More Construction Cranes Flying Over North American Cities
Two new reports from Rider Levett Bucknall offer a positive outlook for the construction industry.
Free Falling: Productivity of U.S. Construction Industry Half of 1960s Level
While productivity improves in almost every sector of the U.S. economy, it's dropping quickly in the construction industry.
Construction Worker Shortage Blamed for Housing Supply Woes
Zoning and red tape gets a bad wrap in arguments that blame the housing crisis on a lack of housing supply. Another narrative credits a shortage of construction workers on the lack of housing supply in the country.
A Call for Prevailing Wages as a Housing Solution
An op-ed written by city officials from two South Bay Area cities argues that reform of land use regulations won't be enough to solve California's housing crisis.
U.S. DOT Will Allow and Encourage Local Hiring
The U.S. Department of Transportation has changed its rules in favor of local hiring: a pilot program will even encourage it. Minorities traditionally barred from high-paying construction work stand to benefit.
Foresight and the Built Environment
In the ever changing global landscape, organizations need to anticipate and adapt to shifting circumstances to survive. AJ Artemel spoke to Dr. Gereon Uerz of the Arup Foresight + Innovation team to discuss how this can be realized.
Architecture Billings Index Shows Continued Growth for Design Industry
Improvements in architecture billings, an economic indicator of future construction activity, mean that more investments in cities and towns. Lately, institutional billings have led the resurgent industry.
Multi-Family Driving Recovery in Housing Starts
New residential construction data released by the U.S. Census reveals that the construction of traditional, single-family detached housing will retain its diminished role in the American economy for the time being.
Regulation Success Story: Diesel Emissions Greatly Reduced
Thanks to the 2010 federal requirement of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel and new Tier 4 emissions standards by the EPA, particulate emissions from non-road diesel engines, including agricultural and construction equipment, have been reduced by 99%.
Developers and Unions Lobby NYC to Expand Midtown East Upzoning
Former adversaries - developers along with labor and the construction industry - have formed "an unusual alliance" to push the Bloomberg administration to consider more expansive development rights for the area around Grand Central Terminal.
At Least One Group Welcomes Sandy’s Healing Power
The construction industry is licking its chops as plans for Sandy’s recovery take shape. After years of idleness due to the housing bust, builders and contractors find themselves ready to roll up their sleeves, and in need of a new workforce.
Architects Are Screwed
The American Institute of Architects has released the results of its 2012 Firm Survey. While the results won't likely come as a surprise, the numbers are pretty staggering: since early 2008 revenue has dropped 40% and employment has dropped 28%.
Construction Industry Embraces the iPad
A unique new iPad applicaion, called PlanGrid, provides for accessing, viewing and updating construction blueprints at a job site, and demonstrates the larger trend of specialization in iOS software development, reports Ingrid Lunden.
Can the Building Industry Reinvent the Single-Family Home?
Allison Arieff says it is high time that the "dumb box" that makes up the majority of suburban housing be rethought to meet the needs of a new generation, presenting a small handful of homebuilders that are making an effort.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
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
