Blog
Balancing the New Old American City
Posted by magosto on March 07, 2013 |
The focus of city revitalization efforts and policy prescription as of late has increasingly been focused on young professionals— in order to cultivate creative talent and innovation. Cities and municipalities have funneled money into amenities generally associated to the needs of this population, hoping to attract and retain these young people. Though this is generally deemed a vital step in creating a vibrant, economically feasible city, the effect of the transient nature of this group on the stability of the neighborhoods has historically been considered negative. The most common argument points out that homeowners have an incentive to invest in their community—primarily due to permanence and the overall neighborhood’s effect on property values.
Celebrating a Year’s Work in Akron’s University Park
Posted by Mark Ebner on May 10, 2012 |
University Park Alliance recently celebrated their one year anniversary of integrating University of Akron with the downtown community surrounding it. The celebration hosted Jim Clifton, CEO of Gallup polling organization and author of The Coming Jobs War, who discussed his prediction that cities, universities, and local leaders will need to work together to achieve the next economic breakthrough. An Akron Beacon Journal article details early studies conducted in Akron show a direct yearly total impact of $2.5 billion within the area by the major institutions in the redevelopment area. Henry Cisneros, former Secretary of HUD and current member of CEOs for Cities Board of Directors, “cited Akron and UPA's efforts as an example of building on a university and city's strenghts.”
Why City Living Actually Costs Less
Posted by Shayna Pollock on March 02, 2012 | City Dividends
New geo-coded data from the Center for Neighborhood Technology on housing and transportation costs further affirms that living in dense, livable communities is economical. According to an article on Atlantic Cities, from 2000-2009, housing and transportation costs increased at nearly twice the rate of incomes for the average American. Yet, for those in housing efficient locations, transportation costs only increased by half. Additionally, the data shows that when including transportation in the analysis of affordable housing, the percentage of neighborhoods considered “affordable” drops from 76 percent to 28 percent. When considering this data, which has far reaching policy implications, more expensive housing in city centers may actually be the more affordable option.
Housing Booms in Urban Cores
Posted by Shayna Pollock on July 13, 2011 |
CEOs for Cities' Young and Restless, a body of research on the migration trends of the young, college-educated population, shows 24-35 year olds flocking to cities. The number of young adults living in close-in neighborhoods increased by 26 percent since 2000. Thus, it is no surprise that cities are seeing a resurgence of new residential construction that far outpaces that of the suburbs. New apartment communities are booming in high-density neighborhoods near the city core of many major US cities.
According to an article in The Seattle Times, the city of Seattle is home to 85 percent of the current apartment construction and 90 percent of apartment construction in the pipeline for the entire region. This building boom, the largest upswing since 1991, demonstrates that "developers, for the most part, are bypassing the suburbs."
Seattle is not alone. In DC, according…
What Does Community Really Mean?
Posted by Carol Coletta on June 10, 2010 |
James Chung of Reach Advisors had a big message for the Pacific Coast Builders Conference today: There is a serious mismatch between trade up housing inventory and demand. One reason is changing demographics. The peak age for trade up is 46, and Boomers have now passed that age. The next big wave of consumers won't get there until 2020. But when they do, they will want something very different. Gen X places less value on traditional housing characteristics. They put far more emphasis on community.
How do builders build community? For the traditional subdivison developer, the answer is programming and design. But in cities, programming and design of community are delivered by a much broader set of players -- the city, neighbors, strangers, service personnel, small business people, other developers, architects of the public realm. It's one of the wonderful, but unpredictable things about cities.
If Gen X really values community, this is one desire cities ought to be able to deliver with superiority.
For one charming example of community, take a look at "Here You Go!" This is a simple expression of community that one would remember for a lifetime.
New Demand for Cities
Posted by Julia Klaiber on March 10, 2010 |
Our President and CEO Carol Coletta was in Dallas this week where she spoke of the shift in housing demands away from suburbia at the 11th annual meeting of the North Texas Housing Coalition. The leaders of the new economy ? the young, college-educated and highly mobile members of the 21st century workforce ? are increasingly urban dwellers. They seek high-density, inner-city living that fosters connectivity and diversity.
American Homes Are Getting Smaller
Posted by Carol Coletta on October 11, 2009 |
Seriously? McMansions are on the wane?
The trends seem to suggest that, yes, it's true. The median size of new houses in the U.S. shrank last year, reversing a decades-long trend. And this year, the trend continues, with houses nearly 200 square feet smaller than two years ago. Average new home size in the U.S. peaked in 2007 at 2521 square feet. And though home sizes are on the decline, U.S. homes are still much larger than those in Germany and France (1200 square feet) and in England (900 square feet).
Is America ready to trade off more private space for better public space? And if so, are urban leaders ready to respond?
The American Dream in Chinatown
Posted by Bridget Marquis on September 21, 2009 |
In spite of the especially tough real estate market, this Chinatown condo building in Philadelphia sold out all of its units including ten commercial suites. As the article explains "the target market was primarily first-generation Chinese, many of them business owners who had moved to the suburbs because of the shortage of suitable housing."
Does your city's ethnic neighborhoods have middle to upper income housing options? Are upwardly mobile immigrants eager to pursue the American dream downtown if only the right type of housing was available in their culturally rich neighborhoods? Seems a ripe opportunity for developers and cities.
Bike-Friendly Homes
Posted by Rebecca Eggleston on July 20, 2009 |
The trend toward real estate that is accessible with alternative forms of transportation is evident in this entrepreneurial realtor’s approach: providing bike tours of ‘bike-able’ properties.
The innovative businesswoman who runs ‘Tour de Homes’ in Portland to show properties in neighborhoods that are bike and alternative transport-friendly is finding that despite a depressed market, business is booming.
It's a promising trend for cities trying to capture their Green Dividend by reducing vehicle miles travelled.
The Joys of Less Space
Posted by Carol Coletta on May 30, 2009 |
First, it was the joys of less stuff. Are we evolving now to the joys of less space?
There is something I love about this true story from a young Vancouver family of four living in a 950 square foot condo. Having grown up in a two bedroom house and shared a bedroom with my older brother for many years, I believe there are virtues in a home when you are forced to share time with family members. In 950 square feet, you don't have to go looking for people. It makes for good family time and a good public realm. So here's a summary of the main points and a link to the post.
Idea #1 - Families of the future valuing time more than space
Idea #2 - Two bedroom apartments or condos can accommodate a family of four (although some modifications would help)
Idea # 3 - Families will use creative strategies to avoid over-accumulation of stuff that won’t fit.
Idea #3B - The experience economy rises out of condos