Housing Supply

Apartment building under construction with other new apartment buildings and taller glass office towers in background in Dallas, Texas

New Research Builds Evidence for Zoning Reform

Cityscape has published a collection of new research building support for zoning reforms as a tool for mitigating the effects of the housing affordability crisis.

August 29, 2023 - Forbes

Colorful historic brownstones in New York City

Conversions Eliminated Over 100K Housing Units in New York City

Apartment-to-house conversions are contributing to a net loss of housing in some of the city’s historic neighborhoods.

August 28, 2023 - The City

St. Paul Minnesota

Missing Middle Housing Reforms Move Forward in St. Paul

The St. Paul City Council will soon consider a legislative package designed to increase the density of residential neighborhoods, following in the footsteps of its twin city, Minneapolis.

August 22, 2023 - Star Tribune

An aerial view of downtown Iowa City.

Iowa City Hopes Zoning Amendments Will Increase Housing Supply, Diversity

Iowa City is planning ahead to ensure that housing supply keeps up with housing demand.

August 21, 2023 - The Gazette

White modular home being built on dirt mound

An Argument for Uniform Pre-Fab Construction Standards

Industry leaders say a national set of standards for off-site construction of modular housing would boost the affordable housing stock and make construction faster.

August 17, 2023 - Governing

Distant view of Lewiston, Idaho nestled in green hills against cloudy blue sky

The Housing Crisis Grows in Rural Idaho

The state’s smaller communities are feeling the pressure of sharply rising housing costs, stagnating wages, and an aging population.

August 15, 2023 - Boise Dev

Indian Trail, North Carolina

The Social and Economic Impacts of Exclusionary Zoning

A new book further reveals the inequities perpetuated by restrictive zoning policies.

August 14, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

View of plain building staircase with light coming in from window on landing

Editorial: Legalize Single-Staircase Buildings in California

A state bill that would allow multifamily buildings to only include one staircase could help boost the housing supply and encourage more spacious and well-designed apartments.

August 14, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

View of high-rise buildings and construction cranes in midtown Manhattan against sunset sky

Zero New Housing Permits Issued in Manhattan Last Month

July was a dead month when it comes to approving new housing units.

August 14, 2023 - The Real Deal

Google street view of late Victorian home in Harvard Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, with one-story commercial building next door.

How One L.A. Developer Uses the Law to Build Apartments

California’s density bonus law lets developers skirt some zoning regulations to build multifamily housing.

August 11, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Row of new contemporary rowhouses in Austin, Texas

Report: Why It Costs so Much to Build Housing in Austin

The study highlights high real estate costs as well as restrictive zoning regulations and building requirements that delay multi-family construction.

August 9, 2023 - Community Impact Newspaper

View of top of high-rise apartment building under construction with red and white cranes

The Relationship Between Rents and Housing Supply

Despite a strong belief in market forces in many other aspects of the economy, many Americans don’t see a correlation between housing supply and housing costs.

August 9, 2023 - New York Magazine

Wood-frame two-story rowhouses under construction.

The State of the U.S. Housing Market

The housing supply is starting to more closely match demand.

August 7, 2023 - The Washington Post

Hand painted fabric "Barcelona is not for sale" in Spanish banner hung on a building in Barcelona, Spain

Short-Term Rentals Continue to Evade Regulations

City leaders around the world are struggling to control the short-term rental market, which many fear is jeopardizing the housing supply and displacing longtime residents.

August 3, 2023 - Bloomberg CityLab

White house with For Sale and SOLD sign

U.S. Home Sales to Foreign Buyers Drop by Almost 10 Percent

International purchases of homes on the U.S. housing market slowed in the last year.

August 2, 2023 - National Association Of Realtors

Craftsman-style white kit home from Sears catalog sold in early 20th century

Where Have all the Kit Homes Gone?

Buying a house through the Sears catalog was, for a brief historical moment, a popular and affordable way to become a homeowner.

August 2, 2023 - Fast Company

Houston, Texas

Report: More Than Half of Harris County Households Cost-Burdened

Using a measurement that takes into account more factors in addition to housing costs, a new report from the Kinder Institute for Urban Research sheds light on the true crisis facing Houston-area renters.

July 31, 2023 - Rice Kinder Institute for Urban Research: The Urban Edge

Teal and blue two-story houses in Seattle's historic Queen Anne neighborhood

Opinion: Form-Based Codes Could Harm Seattle’s Housing Affordability

Form-based zoning codes can encourage mixed-use development and walkable neighborhoods, but focusing too much on aesthetic elements can drive up the cost of housing.

July 27, 2023 - The Urbanist

Crosswalk with pedestrians in front of four-story red brick buildings in New Haven, Connecticut

New Haven Housing Authority Proposes Zoning Reforms, Land Tax

While the Connecticut State Legislature stalls on zoning reform, a local housing authority in the state is recommending an ambitious package of pro-development, supply-side policy changes to mitigate the cost of housing in the state.

July 27, 2023 - New Haven Independent

Small gray backyard cottage with glass door and bike sitting in front of it

ADU Demand Grows Across the West Coast

In communities from California to Washington, permit applications for accessory dwelling units outpace the ability of permitting and construction to keep pace.

July 14, 2023 - Cottage ADU

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.