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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Breakfast links: Replace what’s failing
Time to rebuild Crystal; Another day, another friction ring; Yes, not BRT is cheaper than BRT; More bad arguments against CaBi; Get past the post; From stodgy to stunning; Consider adoption; And…. Keep reading…
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This hotel might show the future of small apartments
When I went to Raleigh last weekend to visit a sick relative in the hospital, I wasn’t expecting to find innovations in small apartment design. Then I spent three days in a Hyatt Place hotel by the airport. Though the hotel is geared towards weary business travelers, its cleverly-designed suites might make good permanent homes as well. Most of the hotel rooms I’ve… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: No silver bullet
Loudoun may opt out, wants more time; GSA changes course; Illegal to do radio interview while driving; Bike planning guide ignores cycle tracks; APA for unnecessary parking?; Hollywood grows up; Should transit networks decentralize?; And…. Keep reading…
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Urbanist economists should cheer inclusionary zoning
Is inclusionary zoning just another inefficient government subsidy? Not at all. It’s actually a clever program that creates some permanent affordable housing and also builds political support for more density. Last week, Matt Yglesias expressed reservations about DC’s inclusionary zoning law. IZ lets developers of apartment and condo buildings over… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Not like it used to be
The action is in the core; Verizon Center aims for new signage; Bikeshare survey says; New cars won’t come in time; Do they need the money?; Another “power grab”; Who’s running for what?; Chicago is stumbling; Rio’s growing pains; And…. Keep reading…
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Columbia Pike needs streetcars, not articulated buses
Some Arlington residents argue that the planned Columbia Pike streetcar is too expensive, and that cheaper articulated buses would be just as good. But they would not transform Columbia Pike in the way Arlington wants. Articulated buses are appropriate in many places, but they are not the same as streetcars. They don’t accomplish the same goals, and are not merely a less-expensive… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Where the arts are
Rush is now Plus; Corcoran could struggle in the suburbs; Shakespeare sues to keep its space; DC is great and getting greater; Shuttle goes to fresh food; Climate change threatens Norfolk; And…. Keep reading…
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Weekend Links: Take a gamble
MGM comes to the Potomac?; CaBi users not wearing helmets; Bhatt talks pedestrian safety; FBI informant runing for Council; IZ still a trickle; Prince George’s Plaza gets density; Am I condemned to gentrify?. Keep reading…
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New book celebrates Congressional Cemetery’s history
Once listed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the most endangered historic sites in the country, Congressional Cemetery has come a long way, a shining example of residents taking guardianship of their built environment. A new book, Historic Congressional Cemetery, examines some of the history preserved in the cemetery. “A lot of folks who live right… Keep reading…
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Top of the Park neighborhood shows density done right
Some people may consider “density” a dirty word, but if designed well, a dense community can feel both spacious and private. Take Top of the Park, a 1940’s-era condominium in Silver Spring. While none of the townhouses have their own yards, they share a backyard that anyone would envy. Top of the Park was built in 1942 as apartments and converted to condominiums… Keep reading…