Housing + Cities
Cities’ Bigger Future Can Look and Feel Beautiful—If We Build for It
An architect invites cities and towns to zone and design for the futures they want.
To Stop Building Heat Islands, Stop Overbuilding Parking Lots
Parking lots amplify high temperatures. Why are we still requiring them to be larger than they need to be?
Washington Bill Would Legalize Hundreds of Thousands More Homes
Allowing “middle housing” options would ease the state’s shortage of homes and right historic wrongs.
Backyard Homes Are Great for Owners of Small Homes
In Portland, almost one in six residential lots has a small detached home. Many of those 23,486 backyards would be great spots for more homes—if they were legal.
Yes, Even Walmart Wants to Build Smaller Parking Lots
Retailers are responding to the boom in e-commerce. Shouldn’t cities’ parking codes change, too?
18 Reasons Why Washington Should Legalize Middle Housing
The homes Washingtonians need, plus protecting the open lands, local economies, and close communities we cherish.
Oregon Experiments with Healthy Homes Repair Fund
In the midst of climate crises, a more flexible approach to weatherization work takes shape.
Confining Rental Homes to Busy Streets Is a Devil’s Bargain
Why Vancouver should allow more rental homes on quiet, local streets.
Bogus “Historic” Districts: The New Exclusionary Zoning?
Interlocking loopholes would let homeowners in richer parts of Portland veto city council's maps - but there’s a fix.