September 30, 2022
Culdesac
Let’s talk about eliminating parking—for people.
This week, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2097, a bill eliminating parking requirements statewide for new housing and commercial developments located within a half-mile of major transit stations. This move has been called “the most significant parking reform legislation ever passed.”
Parking requirements for new developments entail endless burdens. Developers have to pay for (very) costly parking lot construction, taking away funds that could go towards higher quality homes and taking away space that could go towards bigger layouts or more units. They also encourage people to get cars who may not already have them, so that they can function in a car-friendly ecosystem.
So the fact that Gov. Newsom pushed this statewide, and very thoughtfully linked it with transit hubs, is an incredibly hopeful leap towards more equitable, higher quality, and more sustainable housing. It also opens the door to more missing middle developments, like Culdesac, to become a reality.
Would you want to see this move in your state? Feel free to respond - would love to hear what you think!
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MUST-READS
😱 😱 California bans mandated parking near transit to fight high housing prices, climate change // LA Times
Can wind turbines be used in cities? // Tomorrow City
Philly residents could soon get paid for reporting quality of life issues in their neighborhoods // Philadelphia Voice
Video games are coming for real architecture // Fast Company
A Skate Park, Health Center, and Library Will Open Under One Innovative Roof in Houston // Texas Monthly
A global push for more 15-minute cities // Bloomberg CityLab
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IDEA SPOTLIGHT
Culdesac
Culdesac, a housing development in Tempe, AZ, brings together so many of the elements that housing advocates and urbanists dream of.
This ground-up community is completely car-free. All housing is missing middle. Streets are planned with the 15-minute city concept in mind. Shared courtyards, bike and foot paths, maker space. Who’s ready to move in??
Tempe is Culdesac’s first location, but they have big plans to go nationwide.
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JOB OPENINGS & FELLOWSHIPS
Executive Director // Project Leapfrog // Remote
Social Media and Web Manager // SOM // Chicago, New York, or San Francisco
Senior Community Planner for Housing & Equity // JM Goldson // Boston, MA
Marketing & Business Development Manager // SITU // New York, NY + Hybrid
Director of Programs and Climate Initiatives // Waterfront Alliance // New York, NY
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