Cites are Human Habitat
@cities4humans.bsky.social
In Anne Hidalgo we trust.
Pinned
“America’s housing crisis isn’t just reshaping where Americans live — experts say it’s reshaping how some vote.”
Data: America’s toughest housing markets swung toward Trump
As counties moved right on Election Day, the NBC News Home Buyer Index shows those with tough housing markets shifted more sharply.
www.nbcnews.com
Blue state governors need to take note:
Local gov’ts are incentivized by existing voters to keep housing scarce. It is typical for people to support more housing *somewhere*, but not where it impacts them.
States seem to be the level of gov’t best poised to address this tragedy of the commons.
Local gov’ts are incentivized by existing voters to keep housing scarce. It is typical for people to support more housing *somewhere*, but not where it impacts them.
States seem to be the level of gov’t best poised to address this tragedy of the commons.
Reposted by Cites are Human Habitat
READ THIS ARTICLE FOR #NEWYEARS:
25 simple but POWERFUL resolutions you can make to improve your life AND YOUR CITY!
Revisit my most read @fastcompany.com article—the resolutions feel even MORE relevant now! Which ones resonate with you? What would you add? #HappyNewYear #Resolutions #NewYearsEve
25 simple but POWERFUL resolutions you can make to improve your life AND YOUR CITY!
Revisit my most read @fastcompany.com article—the resolutions feel even MORE relevant now! Which ones resonate with you? What would you add? #HappyNewYear #Resolutions #NewYearsEve
25 simple resolutions you can make to improve your city in 2019
What if we picked New Year's resolutions that improved our individual and family lives, while also improving our cities and communities?
www.fastcompany.com
December 26, 2025 at 6:19 PM
READ THIS ARTICLE FOR #NEWYEARS:
25 simple but POWERFUL resolutions you can make to improve your life AND YOUR CITY!
Revisit my most read @fastcompany.com article—the resolutions feel even MORE relevant now! Which ones resonate with you? What would you add? #HappyNewYear #Resolutions #NewYearsEve
25 simple but POWERFUL resolutions you can make to improve your life AND YOUR CITY!
Revisit my most read @fastcompany.com article—the resolutions feel even MORE relevant now! Which ones resonate with you? What would you add? #HappyNewYear #Resolutions #NewYearsEve
Reposted by Cites are Human Habitat
any discussion of city transit improvement online ever
January 1, 2026 at 12:07 AM
any discussion of city transit improvement online ever
Just listened to The Messy City Podcast with @california-forever.bsky.social …very confused how a 65K acre “new city” designed to make building easy and to have density and sustainability at its core can be envisioned when the projection is 400K population in 40-50 years.
Paris is 10x more dense.
Paris is 10x more dense.
December 3, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Just listened to The Messy City Podcast with @california-forever.bsky.social …very confused how a 65K acre “new city” designed to make building easy and to have density and sustainability at its core can be envisioned when the projection is 400K population in 40-50 years.
Paris is 10x more dense.
Paris is 10x more dense.
We’re not going to get abundant new housing built with a process like this.
The zoning process is more than just a map & a code. Many projects require special hearings & city council review.
In new research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, I show that in Chicago, 58% of permitted housing units undergo that sort of discretionary review.
www.urban.org/urban-wire/c...
In new research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, I show that in Chicago, 58% of permitted housing units undergo that sort of discretionary review.
www.urban.org/urban-wire/c...
December 16, 2024 at 5:27 PM
We’re not going to get abundant new housing built with a process like this.
Reposted by Cites are Human Habitat
The zoning process is more than just a map & a code. Many projects require special hearings & city council review.
In new research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, I show that in Chicago, 58% of permitted housing units undergo that sort of discretionary review.
www.urban.org/urban-wire/c...
In new research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, I show that in Chicago, 58% of permitted housing units undergo that sort of discretionary review.
www.urban.org/urban-wire/c...
December 16, 2024 at 4:45 PM
The zoning process is more than just a map & a code. Many projects require special hearings & city council review.
In new research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, I show that in Chicago, 58% of permitted housing units undergo that sort of discretionary review.
www.urban.org/urban-wire/c...
In new research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, I show that in Chicago, 58% of permitted housing units undergo that sort of discretionary review.
www.urban.org/urban-wire/c...
Reposted by Cites are Human Habitat
Remember this? Paris is getting a whole new Metro network. It’s huge. And built fast.
“The venerable #Paris Métro is about to get its most significant upgrade in decades with the arrival of the Grand Paris Express, a new 200km system with 4 new lines & 68 new stations.” www.cnn.com/travel/paris...
“The venerable #Paris Métro is about to get its most significant upgrade in decades with the arrival of the Grand Paris Express, a new 200km system with 4 new lines & 68 new stations.” www.cnn.com/travel/paris...
Paris is getting a whole new Metro network. And it’s huge | CNN
The Grand Paris Express will add four lines, 68 stations and 200 kilometers of track to the French capital’s 120-year-old Metro system, providing vital suburban links – just not quite in time for the ...
www.cnn.com
December 16, 2024 at 3:26 AM
Remember this? Paris is getting a whole new Metro network. It’s huge. And built fast.
“The venerable #Paris Métro is about to get its most significant upgrade in decades with the arrival of the Grand Paris Express, a new 200km system with 4 new lines & 68 new stations.” www.cnn.com/travel/paris...
“The venerable #Paris Métro is about to get its most significant upgrade in decades with the arrival of the Grand Paris Express, a new 200km system with 4 new lines & 68 new stations.” www.cnn.com/travel/paris...
Reposted by Cites are Human Habitat
“Montreal’s experience is a demonstration of the power of pedestrian-only areas to revitalize cities, at a time when the rise of hybrid work and other aftershocks of the pandemic have helped to hollow out urban cores.”
@theglobeandmail.com
@theglobeandmail.com
December 16, 2024 at 2:04 AM
“Montreal’s experience is a demonstration of the power of pedestrian-only areas to revitalize cities, at a time when the rise of hybrid work and other aftershocks of the pandemic have helped to hollow out urban cores.”
@theglobeandmail.com
@theglobeandmail.com
Reposted by Cites are Human Habitat
Pittsburgh's IZ mandate in Lawrenceville has reduced housing production by 32% since 2019. Extending IZ citywide in its current form will increase prices and harm affordability. Read our research on the topic here: prohousingpgh.org/pittsburgh-i...
December 3, 2024 at 4:15 PM
Pittsburgh's IZ mandate in Lawrenceville has reduced housing production by 32% since 2019. Extending IZ citywide in its current form will increase prices and harm affordability. Read our research on the topic here: prohousingpgh.org/pittsburgh-i...
Reposted by Cites are Human Habitat
Why do we need to invest more in transit, biking, and walking?
Because car dependency makes people unhappy!
A new study found that "relying on a car for more than 50 percent of the time is associated with a decrease in life satisfaction."
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Because car dependency makes people unhappy!
A new study found that "relying on a car for more than 50 percent of the time is associated with a decrease in life satisfaction."
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Does Car Dependence Make People Unsatisfied With Life? Evidence From a U.S. National Survey
In the United States (U.S.), cars play a key role in facilitating mobility. Americans heavily rely on their cars for daily travel due to the benefits …
www.sciencedirect.com
December 5, 2024 at 3:03 PM
Why do we need to invest more in transit, biking, and walking?
Because car dependency makes people unhappy!
A new study found that "relying on a car for more than 50 percent of the time is associated with a decrease in life satisfaction."
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Because car dependency makes people unhappy!
A new study found that "relying on a car for more than 50 percent of the time is associated with a decrease in life satisfaction."
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Cites are Human Habitat
Don't say "Parking Requirements"
Instead use "Costly Parking Mandates"
The language we use evokes emotion and mental shortcuts; we like to create coherent stories. Framing the story of parking reform in a compelling way will help us succeed. 🧵/7
Instead use "Costly Parking Mandates"
The language we use evokes emotion and mental shortcuts; we like to create coherent stories. Framing the story of parking reform in a compelling way will help us succeed. 🧵/7
December 5, 2024 at 5:26 PM
Don't say "Parking Requirements"
Instead use "Costly Parking Mandates"
The language we use evokes emotion and mental shortcuts; we like to create coherent stories. Framing the story of parking reform in a compelling way will help us succeed. 🧵/7
Instead use "Costly Parking Mandates"
The language we use evokes emotion and mental shortcuts; we like to create coherent stories. Framing the story of parking reform in a compelling way will help us succeed. 🧵/7
Reposted by Cites are Human Habitat
I have been re-radicalised by the experience of trying to navigate pavements safely with my niece in her pram. Between the parked cars and wheelie bins, it's really difficult.
#PavementParking is dangerous and frustrating.
To share your story, use our online template to write to your local paper today. It's time for change! ⏳
act.livingstreets.org.uk/page/161654/...
To share your story, use our online template to write to your local paper today. It's time for change! ⏳
act.livingstreets.org.uk/page/161654/...
December 1, 2024 at 11:32 PM
I have been re-radicalised by the experience of trying to navigate pavements safely with my niece in her pram. Between the parked cars and wheelie bins, it's really difficult.
Reposted by Cites are Human Habitat
“If your governor says they don't have money for transit…they’re either lying, or they don't know [about flex funding]. Because every state has some money to improve transit right now.”
usa.streetsblog.org/2024/11/27/p...
usa.streetsblog.org/2024/11/27/p...
Pennsylvania Shifted Cash From Highways to Transit – But Other States Could Go Even Further — Streetsblog USA
"If your governor says they don't have money for transit, they are lying," said one advocate.
usa.streetsblog.org
November 27, 2024 at 4:14 PM
“If your governor says they don't have money for transit…they’re either lying, or they don't know [about flex funding]. Because every state has some money to improve transit right now.”
usa.streetsblog.org/2024/11/27/p...
usa.streetsblog.org/2024/11/27/p...
Reposted by Cites are Human Habitat
If the U.S. could build metros at the same cost as Rennes' metro, the country could construct 239 miles of subway and 418 stations every year for just 50% of its annual spending on new highways and roads.
November 27, 2024 at 4:22 PM
If the U.S. could build metros at the same cost as Rennes' metro, the country could construct 239 miles of subway and 418 stations every year for just 50% of its annual spending on new highways and roads.
Reposted by Cites are Human Habitat
Denver gave people experiencing homelessness $1k/month. A year later, nearly half had housing.
They also had fewer ER visits, nights spent in a hospital, and jail stays.
The report estimates that this reduction in public service use SAVED the city $589k.
www.businessinsider.com/denver-basic...
They also had fewer ER visits, nights spent in a hospital, and jail stays.
The report estimates that this reduction in public service use SAVED the city $589k.
www.businessinsider.com/denver-basic...
Denver gave people experiencing homelessness $1,000 a month. A year later, nearly half of participants said they had housing.
Participants in Denver's basic-income program reported having more-secure housing, though results were similar in the trial and control groups.
www.businessinsider.com
November 26, 2024 at 12:47 AM
Denver gave people experiencing homelessness $1k/month. A year later, nearly half had housing.
They also had fewer ER visits, nights spent in a hospital, and jail stays.
The report estimates that this reduction in public service use SAVED the city $589k.
www.businessinsider.com/denver-basic...
They also had fewer ER visits, nights spent in a hospital, and jail stays.
The report estimates that this reduction in public service use SAVED the city $589k.
www.businessinsider.com/denver-basic...
Another reason why it’s bad that zoning, setbacks, parking reqs, building codes, and tax codes each have the effect of limiting new building to larger developments owned by investor-landlords.
Cities are ecosystems. Our rules make them less dynamic by favoring invasive species.
Cities are ecosystems. Our rules make them less dynamic by favoring invasive species.
Important new research on large-scale corporate landlords. @tonydamiano.bsky.social finds that investor landlords evict families at a significantly higher rate than small-scale landlords.
New Research Thread🧵:
We examine the spatial patterns and eviction rates of single-family landlords in the Twin Cities. We find Private Equity firms and REITs each have their own distinct geographies and evict tenants at higher rates than smaller landlords. 1/
We examine the spatial patterns and eviction rates of single-family landlords in the Twin Cities. We find Private Equity firms and REITs each have their own distinct geographies and evict tenants at higher rates than smaller landlords. 1/
November 20, 2024 at 11:56 AM
Another reason why it’s bad that zoning, setbacks, parking reqs, building codes, and tax codes each have the effect of limiting new building to larger developments owned by investor-landlords.
Cities are ecosystems. Our rules make them less dynamic by favoring invasive species.
Cities are ecosystems. Our rules make them less dynamic by favoring invasive species.
Reposted by Cites are Human Habitat
“By 2030, Paris will have removed 60,000 parking spaces and replaced them with trees. That’s one of the goals outlined in the French capital’s new 2024-2030 Climate Plan, which was released last week and will soon be voted on by the Council of Paris.” www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Paris to Replace Parking Spaces With Trees
The city’s new climate plan promises to drop speed limits, repurpose traffic lanes, remove 60,000 parking spots and create urban “oases” to combat extreme heat.
www.bloomberg.com
November 19, 2024 at 5:03 PM
“By 2030, Paris will have removed 60,000 parking spaces and replaced them with trees. That’s one of the goals outlined in the French capital’s new 2024-2030 Climate Plan, which was released last week and will soon be voted on by the Council of Paris.” www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Blue state governors need to take note:
Local gov’ts are incentivized by existing voters to keep housing scarce. It is typical for people to support more housing *somewhere*, but not where it impacts them.
States seem to be the level of gov’t best poised to address this tragedy of the commons.
Local gov’ts are incentivized by existing voters to keep housing scarce. It is typical for people to support more housing *somewhere*, but not where it impacts them.
States seem to be the level of gov’t best poised to address this tragedy of the commons.
“America’s housing crisis isn’t just reshaping where Americans live — experts say it’s reshaping how some vote.”
Data: America’s toughest housing markets swung toward Trump
As counties moved right on Election Day, the NBC News Home Buyer Index shows those with tough housing markets shifted more sharply.
www.nbcnews.com
November 19, 2024 at 4:53 PM
Blue state governors need to take note:
Local gov’ts are incentivized by existing voters to keep housing scarce. It is typical for people to support more housing *somewhere*, but not where it impacts them.
States seem to be the level of gov’t best poised to address this tragedy of the commons.
Local gov’ts are incentivized by existing voters to keep housing scarce. It is typical for people to support more housing *somewhere*, but not where it impacts them.
States seem to be the level of gov’t best poised to address this tragedy of the commons.
Reposted by Cites are Human Habitat
Great article from @byjustinfox.bsky.social describing why Arlington, VA is such a safe place: Not only does it have limited criminal activity—but its traffic deaths have declined substantially. Due in part to Arlington's ability to grow while reducing car use! www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
November 19, 2024 at 3:09 PM
Great article from @byjustinfox.bsky.social describing why Arlington, VA is such a safe place: Not only does it have limited criminal activity—but its traffic deaths have declined substantially. Due in part to Arlington's ability to grow while reducing car use! www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...