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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“Get people out of the road” not the right response
After more than a half-century of designing public spaces around automobiles, many residents, journalists, and public officials instinctively react to conflicts over space between pedestrians and drivers assuming that the right answer is to get all the people out of the way of the cars. That “windshield perspective” needs to change. Matthias reported from… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Hot trains
MARC heating up; Swing through BART; And…; Purple single tracking not dead?; Favoring taxes; A walkable crossroads; CaBi locations and colors; It’s complex. Keep reading…
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Is a Barney Circle historic district a good idea?
The proposed Barney Circle historic district has stirred up a number of negative responses. Is it really a bad idea? Earlier, Lynda wrote about how many residents of Barney Circle feel they haven’t been adequately part of the discussion around the historic district, and that many leading the push actually live in the adjacent Capitol Hill area. DCmud scoffed at the requirements… Keep reading…
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Some feel left out in Barney Circle historic debate
DC’s latest historic preservation debate centers around Barney Circle, the southeast corner of Capitol Hill, where preservationists are advocating for a new historic district. Some residents in the area argue that Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) and local ANCs did little to no outreach for public input on the proposed historic district. Due to opposition… Keep reading…
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Vince Gray talks IZ, New Communities, and rent control
At the recent blogger roundtable, Mayoral candidate Vince Gray talked about his goal to unite residents in “One City.” He noted that while DC is currently “very divided by geography, age, gender, and race,” ultimately “people have got to feel like there’s a place for them.” While education, economic development, and workforce… Keep reading…
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Eastern Montgomery discusses White Oak’s future
East County residents and businesspeople met with Montgomery County planners last Wednesday at the Regional Services Center to learn about a proposal to bring a life sciences center to White Oak. When completed, the East County Science Center Master Plan will recommend creating a mixed-use community with a focus on science and technology in an approximately 1400-acre area… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Energy trouble
Athletes in the city; Solar tough in Fairfax; This one isn’t BP’s fault; National news; Hanson running; Neighbors rally for tree; London real-time data too popular. Keep reading…
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Dinner links: Science. It works.
Learning about yellow; Better models in San Diego; Gas taxes lowest in a long time; Not the death spiral; Should DC better use triangles? Can it?; No sculpture, no seating; Suburban scholars and museums; Advantages of urban living. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Boxes big and small
DC getting in on big boxes; Metro improving safety; Reagan’s actions affect Reagan today; Does DC need to up its game?; Why don’t Amtrak and bikes mix?; Did you steal our trail counter?; Hit and run and get away; Fix the water, here’s no money. Keep reading…
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Beautification coming to New Hampshire Avenue median
Petworth residents who walk along New Hampshire Avenue will have noticed that the medians on the blocks closet to the Metro station have recently been mulched. However, according to area resident Jeff Green, there are much more exciting plans in the works. Keep reading…