By Deborah Myerson For over 100 years, pre-fabricated homes— including Sears Roebuck Co. mail-order kits in the early 20th century and post-World War II Lustron homes— have provided innovative solutions to expanding housing options in residential markets in the United States. In today’s market, with many communities facing a shortage of housing options and high […]
Author: Deborah Myerson
02.04.2020
More Places for Cars—Or People?
By Deborah Myerson Many communities across the U.S. are struggling with high housing costs and looking for ways to increase local housing supply. What if there was a way to create more land for building homes and lower the cost of construction? Some municipalities are doing exactly that. How? Parking reform. Less space to house […]
10.01.2019
What’s Next? Innovations in Workforce Housing Development
Housing production in the U.S. in 2019 continues to fall short of demand, keeping housing prices and rents high, and making affordability an elusive goal for many households across much of the U.S. According to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies’ State of the Nation’s Housing 2019, demographic projections could support a robust housing market […]
07.15.2019
Complete Streets: Neighborhoods for Everyone
Strides toward streets that welcome walkers and cyclists, as well as cars A stroll to the local grocery store to get milk and bread, chatting with neighbors along the way. A leafy bike lane separated from car traffic makes it easy to commute to work. Rather than the old-school model of simply creating fast lanes […]
06.03.2019
Good Design at Any Scale
More options emerge to put form-based codes within reach A walkable, bike-friendly neighborhood with a harmonious blend of single-family homes, duplexes, and small-scale multifamily apartments. A lively mixed-use corridor with attractive retail storefronts facing trees, landscaping, and benches to create an appealing streetscape. These are just some of the outcomes that advocates of form-based codes […]
03.14.2019
Yes, In My Backyard
Localities and States Push for Wider Acceptance of Accessory Dwelling Units
12.11.2018
Growing Food, Growing Community
At your last dinner party, did guests crowd in the kitchen? Why do people so often huddle by the stove rather than spread out in the living room? Because that’s where the food is. Food attracts people to congregate – a phenomenon that is increasingly reflected in planned communities around the U.S., with neighborhoods centered […]
11.09.2018
Connecting Community and Culture: A Decade of Creative Placemaking
A Creative Happy Hour in Bloomington, Minnesota, hosts activities ranging from live salsa music and dance instruction, free hot chocolate and dessert table, to an interactive 3D mural. In Los Alamos, New Mexico, the monthly downtown “On Tap” series promoted by Creative Los Alamos engages participants over food and drinks in discussion of topics in […]