Posts by Payton Chung — Board of Directors
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A hidden height limit holds back affordable mid-rise construction in DC
In “The Three Little Pigs,” one pig builds a house from straw, a second from sticks, and a third from bricks, with very different consequences. Notably absent is any mention of each little pig’s construction budget. For humans today, it’s not protection from wolves, but out-of-control budgets that determine our choices of building materials. The… Keep reading…
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As it turns out, suburban sprawl actually peaked 20 years ago
The rate of suburban sprawl peaked in the mid-1990s and has declined by two-thirds since then, even through the giant housing boom. Could this quiet change in land use have caused many of the changes that we’re seeing today, from recentralizing job growth to the decline in driving? Keep reading…
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No, DC is not going to be like Paris
Supporters of DC’s height limit say restricting building heights has worked to keep Paris beautiful. But embracing the Parisian built form would have unintended consequences on DC’s neighborhoods. The mid-rise Paris that we know today was built not by a democracy, but by a mad emperor and his bulldozer-wielding prefect. As Office of Planning director Harriet… Keep reading…
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Reflective surfaces can brighten Metro stations
Many complain that Metro’s subway stations aren’t bright enough, but they’re surprisingly not that dim compared to other systems. Better surfaces can ensure that the limited lighting available is used more effectively without altering Metro stations’ iconic appearance. Which of these stations do you think is better lit? This one in Vancouver:… Keep reading…
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How DC once fit 800,000 residents
Over 800,000 people lived within the boundaries of the District of Columbia back in 1950. How did all of these people fit, with fewer and smaller buildings than today? Keep reading…