• New urban plan for prominent Amtrak site

    An eight-acre site in New Haven, Connecticut, offers the chance to repair damage by 20th Century urban planning.
    A charrette last week culminated in plans for a redevelopment of a former public housing site in New Haven, expected to add 1,000 to 2,500 new living spaces, mixed-use, and a major square next to an important Amtrak Station. The eight-acre vacant site is now an unimpressive entry to the city for...Read more

  • Design for reduced carbon emissions and climate resilience

    Graduate student housing in Ithaca, New York, employs climate-friendly urbanism while meeting aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals.
    The Maplewood housing development in Ithaca, New York, was an exercise in new urbanist design that also meets aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals . The project’s energy strategy aligns with Tompkins County’s “ Energy Roadmap ” to reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent over the next 40 years...Read more

  • A unique approach to affordable housing for artists

    Artspace demonstrates the diversity of strategies for addressing America’s affordable housing problems. In some cases, they are the lynchpin of downtown revival.
    Artspace, which describes itself as “America’s leading nonprofit real estate developer for the arts,” is a unique organization nationally. Based in Minneapolis, the nonprofit has 57 projects in 32 cities, 22 states, the District of Columbia, and a tribal community, totaling more than 2,000 units...Read more

  • Infrastructure Department boosts the public realm

    Jersey City is showing how to rapidly transform public space to serve a wide range of users, contributing to its reputation as a livable city.
    Two years ago, the City of Jersey City created a Department of Infrastructure to oversee streets, transit, parks, municipal buildings, and other facilities—an unusual and bold move helping transform the public realm. The department and policies leading up to its creation were pivotal in...Read more