Jan 15, 2025 Planning News

© Chris Leslie

Here’s a roundup of the top urban planning stories from yesterday:

1. Los Angeles City Council Housing Changes: The Los Angeles City Council approved updates to its 2021-2029 housing element, focusing new development in commercial districts and high-density neighborhoods, while avoiding single-family zones. This decision aims to boost the housing stock despite opposition from some quarters .

2. New York City’s ‘City of Yes’ Vision: The New York City Council approved the “City of Yes” housing vision, which plans for 80,000 new homes over the next 15 years with a $5 billion public investment. This initiative includes various zoning reforms and additional dwelling units (ADUs) to tackle the city’s housing crisis .

3. Jakarta’s Mass Evictions Controversy: In Jakarta, debates continue over the mass eviction policies aimed at economic redevelopment, with critics arguing that such strategies undermine social stability and community welfare .

4. Cape Town’s Unfinished Freeways: The ongoing challenge of completing Cape Town’s unfinished freeways was highlighted, discussing the complexities and potential impacts on urban mobility and development in the region .

5. Urban Planning for Mental Well-being: Discussions around how greener urban environments can improve mental well-being are gaining traction. Cities are being encouraged to integrate more green spaces to promote mental health .