btcRE: be the change Real Estate

Reducing minimum lot sizes isn’t just about making homes smaller — it’s about making affordable housing a reality for all. Learn how one developer built 28 homes on a parcel that would have only supported seven under previous zoning rules in Fayetteville, Arkansas. https://lnkd.in/dzxuy7nD

Housing nerds and real estate/land use policy wonks: (And yes, we're nerds and wonks, too!) Did you know that the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University offers a series of free-to-access lectures, book discussions and free-to-access webcasts? Today's lecture on deteriorating affordability in the rental market seems especially timely and interesting. So if you find yourself eating lunch at your desk at 1:30 p.m., check this out instead of doomscrolling social! (Link to programs in comments... let us know if you attend and what you think!)

Do you have a "third place?" A coffee shop, library, or other venue you spend time at, outside of home or work? If you have a third place, consider yourself lucky - some people report that these spaces are disappearing, largely thanks to the pandemic and changing business models and customs. https://lnkd.in/gddgVc-W

Americans have long been known as a restless and ready-to-move population. After all, our country grew immensely when many of our ancestors came here from thousands of miles away, building upon the rich heritage and stewardship of the Native American communities who had already cared for this land long before. In his new book?Stuck: How the Privileged and the Propertied Broke the Engine of American Opportunity, Yoni Appelbaum tracks the rise and fall of America’s freedom of movement and shows how a growing reluctance to pull up stakes has been implicated in its current crisis of housing affordability. His conclusion: "Being stuck in place in a country predicated on moving — especially moving to better yourself if you’re in a tough spot economically — is a drag." This in-depth interview with Bloomberg City Lab is excellent - and we can't wait to read the book. https://lnkd.in/etMdPhMG

Looking build your 2025 reading list - and beef up your housing, planning and transportation knowledge while you're at it? You're in the right place. After many requests, our principal M. Ryan Gorman has finally compiled a list of his favorite non-fiction works. On his list: - The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America - Cities Destroyed for Cash: The FHA Scandal at HUD - Arbitrary Lines: How Zoning Broke the American City and How to Fix It Get the full list here: https://lnkd.in/ev-R4C9z

During this Black History Month, it's especially important to recognize and remember the changemakers who broke barriers. We loved reading this article from Dwell about the legacy of John S. Chase, the first licensed Black architect in Texas. His work was remarkable, and so was his fight. He was one of the first Black graduate students to enroll at University of Texas at Austin - just two days after the Supreme Court decision in?Sweatt v. Painter?forced the school to integrate its graduate program - and the first African American to graduate from its School of Architecture. However, after graduation, he was stonewalled from internships at the predominately white architecture firms in Houston, where he and his wife, Drucie, relocated after his 1952 graduation. So he took matters into his own hands, petitioning the state for permission to take the licensing exam. In 1954, Chase became the first registered African-American architect in Texas, and by 1959, he ran his own firm. What an incredible legacy he leaves. Truly. https://lnkd.in/eXTzr_KC

We're still reveling in the Eagles' Super Bowl victory (after all, both of our principals M. Ryan Gorman and Brian Iammartino, CFA attended college in Philadelphia), so of course we had to find an article about the economic impact the *big game* has on host cities. Bottom line: The Super Bowl represents a truly unique opportunity cities like New Orleans to boost their local economies and build civic pride. However, it also comes with challenges such as managing infrastructure demands and ensuring equitable benefits for all communities. Read more in this article from the National League of Cities - https://lnkd.in/gvHGnKQp (Were you rooting for the Birds, too???)

Our hearts are heavy with the news that the legendary Donald Shoup passed away on Thursday, February 6. Shoup was an engineer and pioneering urban planner who spent much of his career focused on land economics, public finance, transportation, and the perils of free parking. In fact, his 2005 book, "The High Cost of Free Parking," is still the number one bestseller in Amazon's Urban Land Use and Planning genre. He had such a dedicated following and fan base that his students and supporters called themselves "Shoupistas." Rest in peace, Donald - your work will make an impact for generations to come. https://lnkd.in/eh56vfG8

What kind of Los Angeles will rise from the fires? The city faces a choice: remake itself into something largely familiar or take a bolder path and emerge as a new metropolis. By showcasing innovative recovery projects and collaborations, this insightful (and unlocked and free-to-accesss) piece underscores the integral role of art and design in healing and strengthening the city's identity after tragedy. https://lnkd.in/ed_jhnzh

We loved this article about Jumpstart, a Philadelphia-based program that is fundamentally altering who benefits from neighborhood redevelopment. Jumpstart, which has now loaned almost $60 million in neighborhoods across the City of Brotherly Love, is not just rehabbing properties. It’s building wealth for neighborhood residents and helping communities reap the financial benefits of redevelopment. Let us know what you think - could this hyper-local model work for the entire country’s housing crisis? https://lnkd.in/eM-fZdSg