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.
-
Rock Creek Park trails slated for fixes
The National Park Service and DDOT hope to make Rock Creek’s pedestrian and bicycle trails better by adding some connections, fixing some problem spots, and possibly widening the trail. At an a public meeting, NPS and DDOT presented alternatives from their Environmental Assessment for three areas. On the Rock Creek Park Trail (RCPT), there are two options besides a no-build… Keep reading…
-
Breakfast links: Taxes get plaudits
Bag tax doesn’t harm DC business; Tax hikes on table in MD; Georgetowners want “sanctions” against students; Gray backs Rhee’s firings; City vehicle leases get scrutiny; Two options for Union Station entrance; Sea level rise worst in Chesapeake; And…. Keep reading…
-
Solar Decathlon to be held in West Potomac Park
DOE and DOI announced today that the 2011 Solar Decathlon will be hosted in West Potomac Park. The event will still be held in late September, as previously scheduled. Keep reading…
-
Lang/Trachtenberg economic development transition pushes archaic transportation approach
I’m working on analyzing the transportation claims in Mayor Gray’s transportation transition document. Meanwhile, the economic development document contains some terrible transportation policy recommendations that need no further research. That transition team, headed by Chamber of Commerce head Barbara Lang and former GW president Stephen Joel Trachtenberg,… Keep reading…
-
Breakfast links: Tackling crime
Electronic thefts up on Metro; To catch a Metro thief; Bollards not boutiques for Poplar Point?; Cab fares won’t be capped; Wells investigating city vehicles; Howard County proactive on aggressive driving; Maryland considers reckless driving bill; And…. Keep reading…
-
Breakfast links: Failures of leadership
Will mayor, council face austerity?; MWAA has board problems, too; Straighter is not safer; ICC opens officially, real opening delayed; Alexandria unsure on new schools; Fairfax considers more mixed-use in Tysons; Where should WeBike?; DC will hurt if fed shuts down; And…. Keep reading…
-
Breakfast links: Symbols of sprawl
Walmart reveals suburban site plan; ICC not (yet) causing sprawl; Kwame Brown insisted on “fully loaded” SUV; Get hit in PW, get a ticket; VA legislature has no time to hear from you; T is for trouble; Conservative columnist supports rail spending. Keep reading…
-
Weekend links: Tragedy and comedy
Woman kills 3, gets 2 tickets; House cuts everything Republicans dislike; Gas stations will gradually turn into condos; Dog heads civic group; Depends what you mean by “absolutely”; Safer car hood designed; Weekend whimsy; Things collapsing. Keep reading…
-
Lunch links: Legislators taking action
Rosapape supports marriage equality; Protestors visit Boehner; Drinking? Sarles doesn’t want you; Ticer retiring; Evans pushes smoking; Iraq wants compensation for security walls; PAYD bill becomes PAYD anti-disclosure bill. Keep reading…