Center for Housing Opportunity’s Post

Just announced! MAS’s latest initiative: Greener Corridors for a More Resilient City (“Greener Corridors”) This initiative makes the case that New York City’s thousands of miles of large arterial roadways—and the land around them—are an unrealized opportunity for the City to accomplish its biggest policy goals, including equitably mitigating the effects of climate change, improving public safety, and stimulating housing production. Last week, MAS kicked off the initiative with a blog post explaining New York City’s arterial roads in greater detail, including why they matter from a current and historical perspective. In the coming months, MAS will publish additional posts examining the intersection of multiple climate and livability issues along New York City’s largest roads, paying particular attention to environmental justice areas given the disproportionate and lasting impact of these thoroughfares on disadvantaged populations. Read more about Greener Corridors: https://lnkd.in/enSWA9-h Read the first blog post in the series: https://lnkd.in/efktUUSG #resilientcity #newyorkcity #greenercorridors #nyc #policy

Some thoughts from the Climate Ready in Social Housing project. Lurking behind the conversation around what it means to be "climate-ready" is the need for larger civic conversations about what forms of urbanism, what kinds of built and natural environment, and what forms of socialable-life are required to ensure that we are ALL ready. The phase of the research we're describing here is the preparation for this larger, necessary conversation.

Is air conditioning always and everywhere maladaptive? Wasteful and all too common overcooling of offices https://bit.ly/4bGsYwC is maladaptive https://lnkd.in/eySVMfrj But what about residential home cooling and energy subsidies for the most vulnerable in a city like New York? For a look at this question through a local, health, and equity lens, see section 5.3.2 of futures chapter of the 4th assessment NYC Panel on Climate Change.

NYC Fam: We Got a Sinking Situation! 🌊 So, you know we love this city vibes, but did you know that NYC is kinda, sorta sinking? Yeah, you heard that right! 📉 Here's the Lowdown: - Parts of Manhattan are doing the slow sink, like seriously, almost 1/8 of an inch every year! It might not sound like much, but trust me, it adds up. - Why? Well, blame it on the hustle and bustle. We're talking construction, heavy buildings, and pumping out groundwater like there's no tomorrow. Not to mention our old buddy climate change playing a role. 🏗️ So, What Can We Do? Look, we're not about to let one of world's leading cities go down without a fight! Here's the deal: 1. Stay Informed: Know what's up with our sinking city. Ignorance ain't bliss, folks! 2. Support Solutions: Let's get behind sustainable infrastructure projects and urban planning that's built to last. 3. Measure & reduce emissions: For new and existing buildings, let's start measuring emissions and execute projects to reduce emissions (government is helping too - https://lnkd.in/gkSUjvyu) Read more: https://lnkd.in/gkc6iEVx #NYC #CitySinking #ClimateAction

What's the connection between zoning and climate? Transportation creates more than a fifth of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. With denser housing, there’s more use of mass transit, walking, and biking. And there’s less car ownership and trips, which cuts pollution and reduces carbon emissions.

More good news at City of Toronto Infrastructure and Environment Committee today: https://lnkd.in/gURxYUdU. First, I'm proud to see early results from my work to reduce beef purchases for the 7 million meals/year that the City of Toronto serves. Considerable progress is being made in children's services, shelters, and long-term care, to rebalance away from beef and towards healthier food that causes less climate damage and should also save money. Watch for the regular annual reports on continuing progress. Thank you to the vegetarian chefs who have volunteered their expertise to coach city chefs in the transition! IE 15.1, Serving Climate-friendly Meals through City Services. Second, I'm proud to have accelerated biodiversity protection in wetlands and other environmentally sensitive areas of the #TorontoIslands. Staff had proposed to "initiate" this work sometime between 2034 and 2044 (see presentation p. 10). When challenged, they agreed this was way too slow, given the fragility of these areas and their importance to a wide range of birds and wildlife. Instead, PFR will tell us late this year what resources they will need to get started in 2025. IE 15.2, Toronto Island Park Master Plan. Thank you to the nature community for bringing the problem to my attention and suggesting thoughtful solutions, and thank you to Ausma Malik and to PFR staff for working with me to make it happen. Third, IEC agreed to begin public consultations on the essential Emission Performance Standards for existing buildings, the indispensable backbone of all our climate pledges. IE 15.4 Building Emissions Performance Standards - Design Principles and Development Plan. After a flurry of last minute negotiations, consultations on small-scale existing residential buildings will be focussed on voluntary/ incentive measures, but mandatory requirements remain on track (if slowly) for all other buildings. Thank you to Oxford Properties Group for showing us how they are bringing their fossil fuel use down across many types of buildings. All three topics are subject to final approval at Council later this month.

Much has been said about the 15 minute city concept (one of which is that I believe it should be the 15 minute neighborhood, not city), but the reality is that places that are built on this model are diverse and prosperous. I live in one such community - a college town - where my family can reach most of our daily needs and amenities on foot or by bike. It's a lower scale version of the same model, but works exactly the same. Places built on this model tend to be very popular in the market and are therefore economically inaccessible for many. We need to increase the supply to match to the demand. #walkability #urbanism

Miami as an urban landscape is on the precipice of enormous change as we see more developers and clients embrace mixed-use projects. Here, I examine how experience-driven districts like Wynwood Plaza and 545wyn blend live, work, and play to improve connectivity, champion climate resilience, and invigorate neighborhoods. The blog explores how these districts can authentically infuse Miami’s dynamic culture while adopting innovative approaches to address climate resilience. Check out the full article on https://lnkd.in/eGnbc7cp.

In a recent move towards urban sustainability, the city of Cambridge is setting the stage for a greener, safer, and more pedestrian-friendly environment. The proposed expansion of 20mph zones to nearly 40 more roads, as part of the Transforming Cities programme, is a tangible step towards combating pollution and prioritizing non-motorized transport. This initiative, detailed by the BBC (https://buff.ly/3M67QWr), is not just about reducing speed limits; it's a reflection of a broader commitment to reshape our urban landscapes in the face of climate challenges. The data speaks volumes: a reduction in speed from 30mph to 20mph can diminish the likelihood of severe collisions by 60% and cut pollution by 30%. This isn't just a win for climate action; it's a triumph for community health and safety. Encouraging walking and cycling over car travel aligns with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat the pressing issue of climate change. Cambridge's approach exemplifies how local actions can have a profound impact on our planet's health. By inviting residents to participate in the decision-making process, the city is fostering a culture of inclusivity and responsibility towards our shared environment. As we continue to witness the effects of climate change, from extreme weather events to biodiversity loss, Cambridge's initiative serves as an inspiring example of how cities can adapt and transform for a sustainable future. It's a reminder that every step counts, whether it's altering road speeds or rethinking our transportation habits. #UrbanSustainability #ClimateAction #TransportationRevolution

"Mexico City owes its water shortage to a myopia all too characteristic of the Anthropocene. An unflinching belief in our supremacy over the natural environment precludes honest inquiry into how to relate to the ecosystems in which we settle. We conquer them. If they insist on flooding, we flush the water away. Then we get thirsty." "Several hundred years of urban development and population growth messed up the equilibrium. The lakes were drained to recover land for urban use. Land was paved over, reducing the earth’s capacity to absorb water. "Pre-Columbian canals and levees were dismantled on the grounds that they retained water within the city limits. The rivers had to go too — largely intubated in the 1940s under the argument that they carried human waste and disease, but probably also because city planners wanted the riverbeds to carry cars instead." Our engineering feats in mind boggling combined sewer projects continue around the world, from London to Auckland. However, we must force ourselves to really consider what else is also necessary beyond this thinking and surely must face the messy, complex challenges of living with (more and also less) water, that with planetary heating is increasingly more unpredictable and yet so desperately required for our (peaceful) survival... We can say it's all too hard and as engineers this is really not our problem, it's someone else's to navigate... it's for the social scientists and the social value folks and...well ....we can't quantify the benefits of decentralised, distributed, community engaged and led solutions...and the political pressure... and the paved double or triple garage residences chiming Not In My Back (or front) Yard... ...but the cooler, spongy, greener, less car-filled, more accessible and more equitable cities that must result from more diverse, inclusive, indigenous led, post colonial and beyond infinite growth-inspired solutions will surely be the legacy we really want to leave... ...and, knowing what we know, surely we must all help make #radicalchange a reality... and in addition to the global conversations and grandiose city visions, conference after conference.... could this also be as simple as taking it one street tree, one formal or informal rain garden, one community conversation at a time? 🌎❤️