Coronavirus and Urbanism

Pedestrian Malls in the 21st Century
The successes and failures of past pedestrian malls can inform the future of pandemic-induced "open streets" programs.

Transit Needs Service Changes, Now More Than Ever
As travel patterns and needs shift, transit agencies should look at service changes as a much-needed 'regular practice.'

The Most Overvalued U.S. Housing Markets
A new study examines how far out of control some housing markets have gotten as a result of pandemic trends in real estate.

Landlords, Investors Lining Up to Evict Non-Paying Tenants
Rental housing is booming business, and some landlords and their investors see additional dollar signs in the potential to evict tenants protected by eviction moratoria up until this point in the pandemic.

Cities Need More Public Bathrooms–Well Beyond the Pandemic
COVID-19 laid bare the dismal state of public bathrooms in America, and some cities stepped up to add more facilities. But why remove them while the need remains?

Supreme Court Strikes Down Federal Eviction Moratorium
The majority opinion claims the CDC overstepped its authority and calls for congressional approval of any further eviction moratoriums.

White-Hot Real Estate Market Starting to Cool
The housing frenzy brought on by the pandemic is easing up, with slower growth of median home prices and fewer offers.

Can Portland's Bike Boom Outlast the Pandemic?
"Anytime the city does something to dramatically improve streets for people and limit car access...it’s hard to take them back."

One Pandemic Real Estate Bet: Condos for Cars
The possibility of many more urban dwellers driving than ever before, even in transit-rich locations like New York City, is still very real.

What Is the Future for Transit After COVID? - A Debate
Critic Randal O'Toole and advocate Todd Litman debate how communities should plan for public transit in the post pandemic future. Should it contract or expand?

Developer Accuses L.A.'s Eviction Moratorium of Illegal Taking, Files Lawsuit
Geoff Palmer is suing the Los Angeles, seeking $100 million to make up for income lost because of the city's eviction moratorium during the pandemic.

Permanent Car-Free Streets in Manhattan's Meatpacking District
The local Business Improvement District has decided to permanently block cars from a large swath of Manhattan's Meatpacking District.

Emergency Rental Relief Gaining Momentum in Some States
Rental assistance spending in June surpassed the entire year's total so far, but there's still a long way to go.

San Francisco Supervisors Vote to Keep Parklets, Close Them at Night
The pandemic-era outdoor seating arrangements can stay, but a last-minute amendment lets business owners close them overnight.

Survey Measures Consequences of the Pandemic for Small Landlords
A new survey reveals details about the financial crunch facing owners of small rental properties as tenants struggle to pay rent during the pandemic and emergency aid is slow to reach those in need.

The Death and Life of the 'Death of the City' Narrative
At the onset of the pandemic, certain media figures were quick to jump on the bandwagon of anti-urbanism. While many of the anti-urban predictions failed to come about—neither did the problems of cities disappear.

Beleaguered Project Homekey Credited With Local Success
California's Project Homekey has been a boon for homelessness support services as well as the economic and living conditions on a corridor in Fresno known as Motel Drive.

Why Central Business Districts Need Diverse Users
Central districts benefit from diversity, but a century of disinvestment and exodus has put many in a precarious position.

Los Angeles Extends Outdoor Dining Program for Up to Three Years
An emergency ordinance signed by the city's mayor will allow restaurants to keep outdoor dining facilities built during the pandemic for at least one more year.

Opinion: CDC Eviction Moratorium Is Ineffective, Unnecessary
The effects of the pandemic economic shutdown on the rental market have been far lower than feared—at least at aggregate, not individual, levels. Is an eviction moratorium the most helpful tool at this point in the pandemic?
Pagination
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