Land Use
Greater Greater Washington writes about where we live, work, and play, why we make the location choices we do, and what forces shape these places.
Many people would like to live in safe, diverse, walkable neighborhoods with access to transit, stores, parks, good schools, and other amenities. While our region has more walkable urban places than most, the demand still exceeds available housing, making these places more expensive (and prices keep rising rapidly).
We must ensure that there are enough housing choices so everyone who wants to live in such a neighborhood can choose to do so. We should ensure that housing in desirable areas is available to people at many points along the income spectrum, and take action to fight segregation. And we can improve the vitality of all neighborhoods by encouraging new retail and amenities to improve the quality of life for all residents.
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In our inbox: Kids on errands, sports in transit, a Green Line extension, and road pricing reflections
In our inbox this winter: readers shared their thoughts about posts on extending Metro’s Green Line; accessing sports venue via transit; why kids’ ability to navigate their cities matters; and one idea for pricing DC roads. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Arlington’s $10 million plan to boost ART bus ridership
Arlington needs $10M to improve bus service; more than 10x that amount to go zero emissions. Potomac Yard arena could cost taxpayers $1.15 billion. Local forests at risk of imminent failure, due to deer overpopulation and invasive plants. Keep reading…
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GGWash Holiday Gift Guide: Gingerbread housing
Pluck the heart strings of someone who loves dense, walkable, transit-oriented urban places this holiday season with GGWash’s gift ideas. Some of these don’t exist, but maybe they should. Keep reading…
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Bikeshare Beat: Members carried CaBi in November
Record-breaking bikeshare ridership numbers powered by CaBi members, e-bike riders. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: MWCOG recommends $462 million increase in subsidies for WMATA
MWCOG releases report with WMATA funding recommendations. DC Council votes to restore eligibility for first-time homebuyer assistance to applicants who applied prior to new restrictions. Advocacy group gives Maryland transit a near-failing grade. Keep reading…
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How planning staffers can advocate for best practices
A planner writes about how members of his profession can promote better practices in implementing urban policies. Keep reading…
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GGWash Holiday Gift Guide: Neighborhood preserves
Pluck the heart strings of someone who love dense, walkable, transit oriented urban places this holiday season with GGWash’s gift ideas. Some of these don’t exist, but maybe they should. Keep reading…
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Vienna drags its feet on housing reform. Isn’t there a responsibility to act?
Enclaves like Vienna have for years opposed serious housing reform, leaving Fairfax County with few options to address its housing shortage. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Downtown Red Line closures begin
For downtown businesses and arts organizations, partial Red Line shutdown feels like a Scrooge move. Traffic, inadequate transit, and uncertain ROI top Alexandrians’ concerns over the stadium deal. Mayor Bowser convenes Capital One Arena task force. Keep reading…
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GGWash Holiday Gift Guide: The Mini-Nimbee
Today’s GGWash gift suggestion is a soft, huggable, highly oppositional Mini-Nimbee. Hang it on your tree, but don’t hang your hopes on it changing its Nimbee ways. Keep reading…