July 15, 2015

Beyond Bricks and Sticks





A weekly digest of current trends in housing and community development. The discussion examines topics from infrastructure to community fabric.


Cultural Asset Mapping

(RECAP: In recent years, urban planning, arts and culture, economic development and city administration have found common ground in a raised awareness of the importance of culture to a community's livability and prosperity. Gaining a solid understanding of your community’s natural and built environment will lay the groundwork for more effective planning.)

How to Make Smart Growth More Lovable and Sustainable

(RECAP: To make places more welcome, more lovable and embraceable - to make places we can not just accept, but also be proud of - we could do a lot worse than look back at those historic neighborhoods that have in fact been loved and have endured over time, and to emulate what has made them so special.)

Disability Housing: 'How Sweet It Is' to Have Choices

(RECAP: When we design social services -- particularly services for individuals with disabilities -- we often try to standardize, streamline and scale. In doing so, we can unfortunately undermine the choice and freedom of those we seek to serve.)

Larger, More Accessible Homes Increase in Demand by Homeowners Preparing to Age-In-Place 

(RECAP: An increase in home square footage with the rising popularity of accessible design concepts points to a population that is preparing to age-in-place, or, perhaps, is anticipating responsibility for care taking of older relatives in the future.)

In These Urban Forest Neighborhoods, The Houses Are Disguised As Trees

(RECAP: “We need a new building typology that goes beyond the usual technical sustainability," says architect Raimond de Hullu. "We need a 100% green concept, not only technically but visually as well, and which is desirable plus affordable at the same time.")

Opinions on Housing                                                                         

The views and opinions expressed in Opinions on Housing are solely those of the original authors, and do not necessarily represent those of VHDA, our stakeholders or any/all contributors to this blog.

Supreme Court’s Fair Housing Ruling Could Boost True Neighborhood Revitalization

(RECAP: Disparate impact arguments, armed with research, can take aim at policies that might not appear discriminatory, in an era when increasingly sophisticated data helps illustrate disparities that have been more difficult to capture in the past.)

The Virtuous Cycle of Keeping Your City Affordable for Artists

(RECAP: The creative sector is the engine of urban economic development. Designers, musicians, actors, artists and other creative professionals are a catalyst for growth – creating new businesses, enhancing existing ones and attracting new residents with their performances, designs, murals and other contributions to urban vibrancy.)

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