With urban living becoming a more popular choice, especially by young people of means, long-time city residents and small businesses are being priced out of popular neighborhoods.
The problem has worsened in the past decade, with seven out of the 11 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. becoming less affordable to the median metro-area renter between 2006 and 2014. While a few decades ago, city planners were focused on reversing inner city economic decline, today many are facing the challenge of making areas more inclusive and affordable for the working class.
In response, some cities have revamped zoning and land-use planning to create more affordable housing. In East Austin, Texas, for example, the city is allowing construction of accessory dwellings on properties that can be rented to help defray the increased costs of living.
Another option is to encourage more small-footprint, multi-unit housing. City planners are facing more pressure to take action as gentrification protests have proliferated in cities across the country recently.
Related Stories
Legislation | Aug 10, 2016
Calif. bill would speed up environmental lawsuits on certain projects
A nine-month limit has been proposed for some $100 million-plus projects.
Resiliency | Aug 10, 2016
White House pushes for better finance strategies for disaster mitigation and resilience
The move highlights innovative insurance, mortgage, tax, and finance-based strategies.
Regulations | Aug 9, 2016
New trend eases parking requirements for U.S. cities
Transit-oriented development and affordable housing are spurring the movement.
Regulations | Aug 8, 2016
EPA toughens rules to reduce formaldehyde exposure from composite wood products
Products will now have to be labeled as compliant to the new rules.
Regulations | Aug 5, 2016
Stop-work orders in New York City up sharply this year
The orders come after a rise in the number of deadly accidents that have occurred in the past few years.
Sustainability | Aug 4, 2016
S.F. Bay Area voters approve first-of-its-kind tax to fight impact of climate change
The funds from the tax will be used to restore wetlands
Concrete | Aug 2, 2016
Concrete Association builds case against cross-laminated timber
The campaign asserts that not enough is known about CLT in construction
Seismic Design | Jul 28, 2016
Risk of man-made earthquakes now factor in seismic hazard analysis
Significant risk increases seen in some areas of the U.S.
Resiliency | Jul 27, 2016
New York’s resilience plans not taking long-term view, critics charge
Continued waterfront development may be regretted later this century.
Green Specifications | Jul 26, 2016
New Miami Beach law requires LEED certification on projects larger than 7,000 sf
LEED Silver the prescribed standard on buildings larger than 50,000 sf.