Various studies indicate that approximately 30 percent of city land in the United States is allocated to parking. The Department of Urban Planning has estimated that New York City alone has approximately three million on-street parking spaces. Interestingly, only 3 percent of them have meters. Let’s get this straight. While housing costs are rising, often because of the cost … [Read more...] about The high cost of free parking.
Articles
Rent to buy.
How do we address the affordable housing crisis? There are lessons to be learned from all over the world. Kris Daff, in Melbourne, Australia, is developing an important solution. Australia’s housing market is very expensive and lack of tenure in the rental market results in significant levels of housing anxiety. At the same time, Kris, a real estate developer, was … [Read more...] about Rent to buy.
Building a strong community.
A strong community is not built with one particular idea or project. There are many actors, ideas, visions and amenities that must come together to build a strong community. The Mayor A strong mayor can be instrumental to making change in a community. She must have a clear and strategic vision and she must have legislative power. Because she is responsible for hiring and … [Read more...] about Building a strong community.
The role of architects in building communities.
America is such a diverse country. It encompasses geographic locations as diverse as the Mississippi delta, Bethel in Alaska, New York City, San Antonio in Texas, Hawaii and the Great Lakes. And it encompasses even more diversity in its community types -- from rural to tribal to suburban and urban. But despite this diversity there are many common themes that unite us. One of … [Read more...] about The role of architects in building communities.
Nurturing urban entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurs will shape our future. They have problem-solving coded into their DNA. They are innovative, embrace challenges and change, are critical thinkers, questioning and always forward-thinking. Entrepreneurs see the bigger picture, think outside the box, are creative risk-takers and have the tenacity to follow through on their ideas. Entrepreneurs are enormously … [Read more...] about Nurturing urban entrepreneurs.