A few things to know this week: October 30, 2020
Happy Friday, friends! Every week we collect some of the best things that members of our Verdunity team read, watched, or listened to over the course of the week—plus anything new from us.
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This week’s things to know:
Suburbs Are Changing, Like It or Not (NY Times)
In the 2008 book "Retrofitting Suburbia", authors Ellen Dunham-Jones and June Williamson argued that like it or not, the suburbs will and must evolve. In an update coming out this December, they feature 32 examples from around the country. This article is a nice preview. -Kevin
Why American Public Transit is so Bad (Vox)
This video is a great explanation, examination, and comparison of storied American transportation departments in relation to their international counterparts. While the video series and underlying motivations of its production are political, there shouldn’t be anything political about providing the population at large with the means to get from A to B safely and efficiently. -Ryan
Is Our Love Affair with the Single-Family Home Over? (Governing)
The title of this article is a question I hear being debated in many communities and social media conversations. I don't think the interest in single family homes is over, per se. A more relevant question in my mind is who will be willing and able to pay the higher prices required to sustain suburban single family development in the future? The housing conversation is not just about what people say they want, but what the person can afford AND what their city must charge in taxes and other fees to recoup enough revenue to serve and maintain the neighborhood. This article digs into some of the details on what younger generations are looking for in housing options as well as if and how those interests can be synced up to also address affordable housing concerns. -Kevin
Dallas erased a Black community to build parking lots. Fair Park plan would give area back to community (Dallas Morning News)
The story of the development and subsequent land grab around Fair Park in South Dallas is a tragic one. There is no rationale or just rhyme or reason for the way the land around the home of the State Fair of Texas has been prioritized, but movement has been stirring around the area since the inception of the Grow South initiative put in place by former Mayor Ralwings. -Ryan
Can Cell Phone Data Cure North Texas' Transportation Planning Madness? (D Magazine)
A new report from Brookings featuring a new data source - cell phones - could change how transportation planning is done for good. The study revealed more detailed information about how often and how far people traveled, where they traveled to, and what mode of transportation was used. The results present strong evidence that it would be better for communities and transportation agencies to invest in places, not roads. -Kevin
Is an Accessory Dwelling Unit Right for You? (American Lifestyle Magazine)
Shout out to my friend Jim Proce for sharing this great primer on accessory dwelling units. They're making a comeback! -Kevin
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