Office-to-residential conversions often hinge on government cooperation

Adapting offices for residential use is often more difficult, more expensive and less profitable than new construction, one developer said.

By Dan Rosenbaum • Feb. 13, 2023

San Francisco announces downtown revitalization strategic plan

Mayor London Breed said the downtown road map contains nearly 50 initiatives and nine strategies for revitalizing the neighborhood in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

By Danielle McLean • Feb. 10, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive

From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

Insulating existing buildings with low-carbon and carbon-storing materials can reduce emissions: report

“Deep energy retrofits” that use certain insulation systems can turn existing buildings into storehouses of carbon instead of emitters of greenhouse gases, according to an RMI report.

By Michael Brady • Feb. 9, 2023

Pittsburgh office-to-residential conversion fund begins to accept bids

Pittsburgh’s redevelopment agency is accepting funding applications from developers looking to convert underutilized downtown office buildings into affordable residential housing.

By Danielle McLean • Feb. 8, 2023

Philly launches digital tool to ease building permitting process

The pilot aims to improve access to information about necessary permits, approvals and other requirements for some residential and commercial projects, the city said.

By Michael Brady • Feb. 7, 2023

Top 10 metro areas for construction starts

Even when adjusted for inflation, commercial and multifamily construction starts were robust in 2022 as projects moved back toward urban cores, according to a new report.

By Sebastian Obando • Feb. 6, 2023

California approves San Francisco’s plan to build 82,000 homes

More than half the homes will be affordable units for low- and moderate-income households, helping the region meet its affordable housing goals.

By Michael Brady • Feb. 3, 2023

Florida Republicans propose state rent control ban with affordable housing funding and incentives

Senate Bill 102 would prohibit local rent controls and use tax incentives, gap financing and additional state funding to boost affordable housing. Affordable housing advocates say the proposal leaves renters vulnerable.

By Michael Brady • Feb. 2, 2023

2023 Smart Cities Outlook

In the year ahead, city leaders will face economic headwinds while tackling the housing shortage and changes in travel behavior and decarbonizing transportation and buildings.

By Michael Brady • Feb. 1, 2023

Office conversions will soar this year: report

Apartments have made up one-third of office conversion activity since 2016, according to a report by commercial real estate firm CBRE.

By Leslie Shaver • Jan. 31, 2023

New York City to reform zoning to add housing in Midtown Manhattan

During his State of the City address last week, Mayor Eric Adams also announced new funding to enforce tenant protection laws and expanded free broadband services for residents who live in public housing.

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 30, 2023

7 projects to watch in 2023

From an NFL stadium to a major airport expansion and a massive manufacturing plant, these high-profile, high-impact projects are expected to hit significant milestones this year.

By Construction Dive Staff • Jan. 30, 2023

Phoenix launches 24-hour public restroom pilot at a homeless shelter

The city will install The Portland Loo, which was created to help cities and nonprofits provide people experiencing homelessness with access to a public restroom.

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 27, 2023

Walkable urban areas are popular but have an affordability problem: report

People are paying a premium to live in dense and walkable neighborhoods, according to new data analysis, which could be a bright spot for downtowns impacted by pandemic-era work changes.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 25, 2023

Biden administration announces actions to protect renters, bill of rights blueprint

The White House released a blueprint Wednesday for creating a renter's bill of rights that includes protection principles such as having access to safe, decent and affordable housing and clear and fair leases.

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 25, 2023

Apartment demand drops to lowest level since 2009

Market indicators point to higher absorption in 2023, but consumer confidence needs a rebound first.

By Mary Salmonsen • Jan. 24, 2023

Housing supply accelerator campaign brings together elected leaders, community planners

The program from the National League of Cities and the American Planning Association aims to address U.S. housing crisis by identifying local best practices and policies on zoning, housing development and preservation.

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 24, 2023

HUD reintroduces rule to combat housing discrimination

A new version of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule will again require cities seeking federal funds to explain how housing segregation exists in their communities and their plan to address it.

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 20, 2023

Indianapolis aims to build affordable housing on city-owned properties

The Vacant to Vibrant program will leverage $4.5 million in American Rescue Plan funds to entice nonprofits, community development corporations and developers to build affordable rental or homeownership units on city lots.

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 19, 2023

Flexible rent payment options gain popularity as affordability decreases

Buy now, pay later programs may help struggling renters stay up to date, say some property managers and payment technology companies.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Jan. 18, 2023

How Houston uses data to back its housing-first homeless strategy

The data-driven approach helps the system's leaders prioritize programs that succeed in housing people over those that meet short-term needs.

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 17, 2023

Cities repurpose underused malls to address housing shortage

Local governments are leveraging largely vacant and blighted malls to address housing affordability. Federal funding and new laws and regulations, such as zoning changes, are aiding that effort.

By Karen Kroll • Jan. 13, 2023

4 trends that could shape smart cities in 2023

These overarching trends affect the decisions communities are making around transportation design, street space, housing and revitalizing downtowns that have struggled with fewer office workers.

By Smart Cities Dive Team • Jan. 13, 2023

After a strong 2022, rent growth expected to slow this year

Rents rose 6.2% in 2022, posting a second straight year of rapid growth, but that has decelerated in recent months, according to real estate software company Yardi Matrix.

By Mary Salmonsen • Jan. 13, 2023

Transit agencies must consider land use and new travel patterns, transportation officials say

New travel patterns driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and remote and hybrid work are forcing transit agencies to reconsider their planning and operations, transportation officials said at the Transportation Research Board's Annual Meeting.

By Charles Pekow • Jan. 12, 2023