Real Estate
More on the Cost of Anti-Growth Policies
As urban centers start making better sense for a digital economy, NIMBY policies might be worth re-examining. In addition to driving up the cost of housing, they may compound inefficiencies and slow down the economy.
American Dream for Sale: $1,000 for an Empty Lot in Newark
In a bid for revenue and rejuvenation, Newark is selling vacant lots for $1,000. Buyers promise to build a home and stay for at least five years.
Too Much Obsessing over Gentrification?
The recent glut of luxury development, gentrification, and high rents has been frequently condemned. But what factors affecting affordability might that discussion miss?
What's so Miraculous about Minneapolis?
Minneapolis combines prosperity with plentiful affordable housing, an increasing rarity. Geographical factors play a role, but longstanding "fiscal equalization" policies may make the difference.
Critic Finds Merits in Brooklyn Public Library Redevelopment Plans
Two proposals for library makeovers in Brooklyn tie into a larger narrative about development, and architecture, in New York City.
Housing Market Makes Full Recovery for Wealthy Americans
Dina ElBoghdady and Dan Keating report on the state of the real estate market as it concerns the wealthiest Americans—times are good if you are wealthy and looking to borrow money to buy a home.
Paying a Premium to Live on New York City's Shortest Streets
One-block streets are, often one-way and without sidewalks, are home to some of New York City's desirable residences.
The Federal Housing Administration's Ongoing, Systematic Obstruction of Density
Scott Beyer writes that despite changes to policies allowing insured mortgages by the Federal Housing Administration's (FHA), the federal government continues to obstruct density by limiting support for condo owners.
Home Construction: Too Much Too Soon
Analyzing newly released data from the American Community Survey, Jed Kolko finds reason to believe that construction of singly-family housing is outpacing demand.
Helping Municipalities Manage 'Lazy' Real Estate Assets
A new tech startup, incubated at Harvard University, assists municipalities in unlocking the potential of their fallow, or "lazy," real estate assets.
Study Quantifies the Large Economic Cost of NIMBY Politics
A new study by economists Chang-Tai Hsieh and Enrico Moretti claims to have found the cost, in economic growth, incurred by the high price of housing in expensive coastal cities. Hint: the word trillion is involved.
Parking Propels Real Estate Bubble in Beijing
What's causing underground parking spaces to go for $160,000 in Beijing? Quartz reports that demand, narrow roads, resident disenfranchisement and old zoning law give developers the upper-hand.
After $10.2 Billion Treasury Deposit—What Next for Fannie and Freddie?
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will deliver $10.2 billion in dividends to the U.S. Treasury next month, but Congress could soon "wind down" the companies by approving the significant Johnson-Crapo bill.
How (and Where) NIMBY Zoning Regulations Stagnate the National Economy
Household formations and the tight mortgage market are one thing, but a recent article on Vox examines the role of zoning—and the NIMBYs that control it—in the housing market's stagnating influence on the national economy.
Realtors Discover Demand for Walkable Places
After generations of sales focused on conventional suburbia, realtors are discovering the demand for walkable, urban places.
Location Optimization Tools: Toward More Comprehensive and Multi-Modal Indicators
New tools are becoming available to help people evaluate the quality of walking, cycling, public transit and automobile accessibility when making home location decisions. This information can help create more efficient and sustainable communities.
The Demographic Trends That Will Change Planning
The work of Professor Arthur C. Nelson from the University of Utah in projecting demographic and real estate trends contains some critical insight for planners looking to prepare the way for the cities and towns of the future.
Colorado Foreclosures Hit Ten-Year Low
Foreclosures, the defining signifier of the Great Recession for many Americans, are coming to a screeching halt in Colorado. In fact, the state’s foreclosure rate improved at about twice the national average between 2012 and 2013.
Predictions for Austin’s Real Estate Boom
With a whole portfolio of positive indicators about the health of the real estate market in Austin, a group of local industry leaders recently made predictions about what 2014 will bring for one of the country’s fastest growing metros.
Chinese Investors Embark on U.S. Real Estate Shopping Spree
With of support of leaders in Beijing, Chinese investors are making their presence known in U.S. commercial and residential real estate markets. The levels of foreign investment are reminiscent of the Japanese buying binge of the 1980s.
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
