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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DC struggles to build affordable housing in wealthy neighborhoods. Here’s one reason why.
Building a new building is often a slow process, and affordable housing developers navigate it with an additional twist: when working through a competitive government funding process, it takes an especially long time to close on financing. Keep reading…
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More people are dying because of impaired driving in the region, but there’s less enforcement
Most of the country has seen decreases in fatalities due to impaired driving, but not the Washington region, according to a report from the Council of Governments. Is a lack of enforcement part of the problem? Keep reading…
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What could the region do to ensure WMATA not only survives but thrives?
The District, Maryland, and Virginia look set to fill WMATA’s short-term budget gap. But the region needs a plan for ensuring the agency is financially sustainable in the long term. What are the options? Keep reading…
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Do Something: The week of April 15, 2024
This week on Do Something: the wheels come off on Connecticut Avenue; fourplexes (and more) in Montgomery County; and getting ready for the Virginia primaries. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Lawmakers and Youngkin agree to extend Virginia budget talks
Virginia lawmakers and Governor Youngkin agree to toss out budget and start fresh. Capital Bikeshare offers free rides to new users this week. Baltimore mayoral candidates debate tax incentives and affordable housing strategies in first televised debate. Keep reading…
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New exhibit shows how redlining affected DC and beyond, and what we can do about it today
Racially restrictive covenants and other policies known as “redlining” forced Black residents out of the neighborhoods west of Rock Creek Park, denying them the ability to create generational wealth through homeownership and segregating communities in the District for decades. A traveling exhibit currently housed at the Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library explores those legacies, and considers what can be done about it today. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Congressman warns WMATA to comply with subpoena
Safety signal: WMATA subpoena could have consequences, Congressman warns WMATA. With no Chinese grocery store, Chinatown seniors take charter bus. Donation of ferry could make splash in restoring service. Keep reading…
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How single-stair apartments can improve fire safety
A common objection to requiring only one staircase in new residential buildings is that it would roll back safety regulations to cut costs. But in fact, single-stair reforms have the potential to get more people into safer buildings. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: WMATA and MWCOG to work together on region’s transit future
MWCOG and WMATA launch collaboration on future of region’s transit. Washington region falling behind on goal of building 320,000 housing units. Alexandria now searching for the right project for Potomac Yard. Keep reading…
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Do Something: The week of April 8, 2024
This week on Do Something: flowers for Governor Wes Moore; fun with zoning in Chevy Chase DC; and calling all Arlington and Alexandria primary candidates. Keep reading…