Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Urban Studies and Planning Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 31 - 55 of 55

Full-Text Articles in Urban Studies and Planning

2016 Planetizen.Com Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn Dec 2015

2016 Planetizen.Com Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Blog posts on urban and suburban issues. Originals at planetizen.com


The Middle Class, Urban Schools, And Choice, Michael Lewyn Dec 2015

The Middle Class, Urban Schools, And Choice, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

It is common knowledge that middle- and upper-class parents tend to disfavor urban public schools, and often move to suburbs in order to avoid having to send their children to those schools. Thus, the condition of urban public schools contributes to suburban sprawl- that is, the movement of people and jobs from city to suburb. 

            This article discusses a variety of possible solutions to the unpopularity of urban schools among middle-class parents.  Part I of the Article suggests that this problem is a cause as well as a result of middle-class flight: that is, urban schools have poor reputations …


How To Make Suburbia Less Sprawling, Michael Lewyn Dec 2015

How To Make Suburbia Less Sprawling, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Review of Retrofitting Sprawl, edited by Emily Talen.


Deny, Deny, Deny, Michael Lewyn Dec 2015

Deny, Deny, Deny, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Some commentators argue that new housing supply and less restrictive zoning will not reduce housing prices in high-cost cities. This article discusses and critiques their arguments.


Smart Growth-Oriented Density And Parking Regulations, Michael Lewyn Feb 2015

Smart Growth-Oriented Density And Parking Regulations, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Many articles have been written about pro-sprawl land use regulation, such as minimum parking requirements. This speech, by contrast, focuses on the frequency of land use regulation designed to increase walkability- in particular, minimum density requirements and maximum parking requirements. I conclude that the first type of regulation is quite rare and usually very lenient. The second type of regulation is more frequent; however, the impact of maximum parking requirements is not yet clear.


Against The Neighborhood Veto, Michael Lewyn Dec 2014

Against The Neighborhood Veto, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

American zoning often gives neighborhoods elective veto power over nearby real estate development. This “neighborhood veto” sometimes artificially reduces housing supply and urban density, thus making housing more expensive and making American cities more dependent on automobiles. This article criticizes the common arguments that neighborhood activists use to restrict development.


No Parking Anytime: The Legality And Wisdom Of Maximum Parking And Minimum Density Requirements, Michael Lewyn, Judd Schechtman Dec 2014

No Parking Anytime: The Legality And Wisdom Of Maximum Parking And Minimum Density Requirements, Michael Lewyn, Judd Schechtman

Michael E Lewyn

This article focuses on two aspects of smart growth policy that have thus far received little attention: maximum parking and minimum density requirements. To ascertain the frequency of such regulations, we examine the zoning regulations of twenty-four mid-sized cities, defined as those with populations between 500,000 and one million residents. The article concludes that the first type of regulation is somewhat common, but is usually restricted to certain types of land uses or sections of a city. Minimum density requirements, by contrast, are quite rare and quite lenient. Because these types of regulations have received little scholarly attention and are …


Internally Buffered Districts: A New Technique To Make Zoning Less Exclusionary, William Leaf, Michael Lewyn Dec 2014

Internally Buffered Districts: A New Technique To Make Zoning Less Exclusionary, William Leaf, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Proposes creating a new kind of zone called an "internally buffered district." Within these zones, intensive land uses like stores and apartments are allowed, so long as the latter uses are physically separated from nearby residential districts. The article suggests that developers compensate homeowners for rezoning their property to the internally buffered classification, thus allowing for both more compact development and more protection of homeowners' interests.


The (Somewhat) False Hope Of Comprehensive Planning, Michael Lewyn Dec 2014

The (Somewhat) False Hope Of Comprehensive Planning, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Some commentators equate municipal comprehensive plans with "smart" growth (that is, development that considers the needs of nondrivers as well as the needs of automobiles). However, comprehensive planning. although desirable, is neither necessary nor sufficient for smart growth. Plans are not necessary because zoning reforms can achieve the same smart growth objectives as plans, and are not sufficient because many comprehensive plans support sprawl rather than smart growth.


2015 Planetizen Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn Dec 2014

2015 Planetizen Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

2015 blog posts on urban issues from planetizen.com


Yes To Infill, No To Nuisance, Michael Lewyn Dec 2014

Yes To Infill, No To Nuisance, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Criticizes attempts to use nuisance law to prevent infill development.


How To Make America Walkable, Michael Lewyn Dec 2013

How To Make America Walkable, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Review of Walkable City, by Jeff Speck


2014 Planetizen Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn Dec 2013

2014 Planetizen Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Blog posts on urban and suburban issues, available at planetizen.com


Suburban Sprawl: Weaker But Still Alive, Michael Lewyn Dec 2013

Suburban Sprawl: Weaker But Still Alive, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Review of The End of the Suburbs, by Leigh Gallagher.


How Real Is Gentrification?, Michael Lewyn Dec 2013

How Real Is Gentrification?, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Some commentators argue that gentrification is turning many cities into a playground for the rich. This article rejects that view, pointing out that even relatively affluent cities are still poorer than the average suburb.


Plans Are Not Enough, Michael Lewyn Dec 2012

Plans Are Not Enough, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Some commentators see comprehensive municipal plans as a remedy for suburban sprawl. But in fact, a plan can be used to promote sprawl as well as to prevent sprawl.


2013 Cnu Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn Dec 2012

2013 Cnu Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Blog posts from the now-defunct CNU Salons page at cnu.org


2013 Planetizen Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn Dec 2012

2013 Planetizen Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

My 2013 Planetizen.com blog posts on urban and suburban issues.


2012 Planetizen Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn Dec 2011

2012 Planetizen Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Planetizen.com blog posts on urban and suburban issues.


2011 Planetizen Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn Dec 2010

2011 Planetizen Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Blog posts on urban and suburban issues, originally at planetizen.com


2010 Planetizen Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn Dec 2009

2010 Planetizen Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Planetizen blog posts on urban and suburban issues.


2009 Planetizen Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn Dec 2008

2009 Planetizen Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Planetizen.com blog posts on urban and suburban issues.


2008 Planetizen Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn Dec 2008

2008 Planetizen Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Posts on urban and suburban issues at planetizen.com


2008-09 Cnu Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn Dec 2007

2008-09 Cnu Blog Posts, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Blog posts from the now-defunct CNU blog


Buffalo Beat Op-Eds, Michael Lewyn Jan 2001

Buffalo Beat Op-Eds, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Assorted op-eds from Buffalo Beat, a Buffalo weekly (1998-2001)