Development Incentives
New Density Bonus Approved in Austin
The city of Austin is using density bonus as an incentive for developers to include affordable housing in new developments.
Tax Abatements for Residential Projects Under the Microscope
The Cleveland City Council is considering legislation that would launch a process of re-examining the city's tax abatement program.
Effectiveness of Vancouver Affordable Housing Program Questioned
With prices listed at $1,600 a month for a studio, $2,800 for a two-bedroom and $3,700 for a three-bedroom, officials in Vancouver, British Columbia are wondering whether the Rent 100 program is achieving its intended goals.
HUD Program to Connect Low-Income Housing Tax Credits in Opportunity Zones
A new program announced by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson is designed to encourage Opportunity Zone investments that address poverty and underinvestment.
Tax Breaks Offered in Exchange for Affordable Housing in Downtown Phoenix
The state of Arizona doesn't allow local jurisdictions to charge affordable housing fees for new developments, so the city of Phoenix is offering tax breaks as an incentive instead.
Gas Stations, Other Car-Centric Uses Banned From Transit-Oriented Areas in Sacramento
The city of Sacramento has implemented one of the most aggressively transit-oriented land use regulation schemes in the country.
New Orleans Wants to Loosen Zoning Restrictions in the Lower 9th Ward
New Orleans could make it easier to build new homes on small lots in the struggling Lower 9th Ward.
Citing Lack of ADU Development, Ann Arbor to Refine its ADU Ordinance
After legalizing accessory dwelling units in 2016, the city of Ann Arbor hasn't added many accessory dwelling units. Some regulations designed to limit the number of ADUs developed have made the building type impossibly cost prohibitive.
San Diego Could Scrap Parking Requirements in 'Transit Priority Areas'
The mayor of San Diego has introduced a major parking reform initiative.
Seeking Mixed-Income Housing Developers in Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina is concerned about the lack of affordable housing in its city, potentially making it difficult for fire fighters, teachers, and more to afford to live in the community.
Waiving Development Fees to Spur Apartment Construction
One way to increase housing supply is to make it cheaper to building multi-family housing, like Toronto recently decided to do.
Spreading the Parking Reform Love Around Downtown Houston
Two downtown-adjacent neighborhoods would no longer require parking for new developments under a proposal under consideration in the city of Houston.
Mapping Tax Abatements to Mitigate Controversy
St. Louis politicians are embroiled in controversy over the city's use of tax abatements, which come at the expense of funding for the city's school district. A map is seen as part of the solution.
Op-Ed: Cap Philly's 10-Year-Tax Abatement
Qualifying developments are eligible for a ten-year tax abatement in Philadelphia. These op-ed authors say the abatement doesn't work as anything other than a government payout.
Houston Requires Community Benefits for Development Subsidies
Houston joins cities like Philadelphia, Detroit, and Minneapolis in demanding a greater return on public dollars.
Michigan to Provide $618 Million in Tax Incentives to Four Dan Gilbert Projects
Dan Gilbert is investing over $2 billion in four projects in downtown Detroit. The state is matching that ambition with $618 million of its own.
Portland Makes ADU Incentives Permanent
Development fees can add some $15,000 to the cost of building a home in Portland. Residents adding an accessory dwelling unit to their property won't need to worry about those expenses, as long as they don't use the limit for short-term rentals.
Property Tax Exemption for Affordable Units Under Consideration in Portland
The proposed property tax exemption in Portland would be from the "carrot" school of affordable housing incentives.
Massachusetts Governor Sets a Housing Development Agenda
The state of Massachusetts has set a goal to add 135,000 new housing units over the next eight years. To achieve that goal, the state will provide incentives for cities that streamline development approval.
South L.A. Housing Project First to Use New 'Transit Oriented Community' Incentives
The city's new guidelines incentivize the development of affordable housing near transit.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
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
