Dumping old gas cars on the developing world (right); Adding green space to Ironbound high rises; Developing federal land for housing; Effectively implementing congestion pricing; Bangkok offers free BRT (left top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
Rich Countries Are Flooding the Developing World with Their Used Gas Cars
David Zipper, Vox, September 3 2024
David Zipper, a senior fellow at the MIT Mobility Institute, highlights the rising global sales of used gas-powered cars from developed to developing nations. This trend threatens to undermine global climate goals by shifting vehicle emissions rather than reducing them, while also worsening air quality and road safety in countries with weak or unenforced regulations on vehicle imports. For example, in Norway, the rise in electric vehicle adoption has coincided with an increase in used car exports. Zipper emphasizes that these sales will exacerbate safety concerns, particularly in regions like Africa, where low car ownership rates are offset by disproportionately high road fatality rates. Urban planners face the challenge of balancing rising auto demand with the need for sustainable growth.
NJ TOD News
PATERSON—Paterson City Council Approves Major Residential Development, Building on Past Advocacy Efforts
Gabriella Dragone, TAPinto Paterson, September 5 2024
The Paterson City Council has approved a $45.1 million rehab of the Incca Carroll Street Houses, a Section 8 complex in the Fourth Ward, converting it into 88 income-restricted homes with 30 years of guaranteed affordability. Funded by federal and state credits, developer loans, private equity, and NJEDA’s ASPIRE credits, the project will add new green space, community facilities, and enhance access to transit, with the complex located about ¾-mile from the Paterson Train Station and near several NJ TRANSIT bus stops.
HOBOKEN—Hopes Are Sky High, or at Least 18 Stories, That Development Will Soon Commence on Hoboken’s Western Edge
Teri West, NJ.com, August 30 2024
Despite legal challenges from Union City over obstructed views, developers are proceeding with plans in Hoboken’s Western Edge Redevelopment Area. Pegasus Partners and Madigan Development will build an 8-story, 357-unit building at 1300 Jefferson St., while Madigan seeks approval for a 675-unit project at 914-930 Monroe St. near the Ninth Street/Congress Street HBLR Station. These projects support the City’s goal of transforming underused industrial sites into mixed-use spaces.
NEWARK—Green Space Added to Ironbound High Rises to Address Concern
Matt Kadosh, TAPinto Newark, August 29 2024
In response to public concerns over green space, Chess Builders has revised plans for the Iberia project in Newark’s East Ward. The development will feature four high-rise towers with nearly 1,400 apartments and 280 affordable units. The updated proposal increases green space between the towers and removes a planned pedestrian plaza, addressing worries about flooding, parking, and local character. Developers are also seeking approval for building height increases at the next City Council meeting on September 5.
Transit and Equity News
Evaluating the Reducing Regulatory Barriers to Housing Act
Andrew Justus and Alex Armlovich, Niskanen Center, September 5 2024
Housing analysts Andrew Justus and Alex Armlovich of the Niskanen Center review the Reducing Regulatory Barriers to Housing Act (RRBHA), proposed by Sen. Fetterman and Rep. Blunt Rochester. Aimed at addressing the national housing shortage, the act would reform outdated land use regulations. If passed, it would direct HUD to assist local governments, streamline federal housing permits, and fund zoning modernization efforts. By promoting measures like pre-approved building plans, the RRBHA seeks to make housing affordable and accessible.
PENNSYLVANIA—Gainey Proposes Zoning Changes to Boost Affordable Housing Options in Pittsburgh
Julia Maruca, WESA NPR, September 5 2024
Pittsburgh will introduce zoning changes aimed at increasing affordable housing access, according to Mayor Ed Gainey’s office. These amendments will require new developments to include affordable units, reduce parking requirements, and allow for denser housing around transit hubs, providing developers with more flexibility. The proposals, which advance recommendations from the 2022 Housing Needs Assessment, seek to curb displacement, attract development, and ensure more affordable housing options citywide, particularly for low- and moderate-income residents.
Thousands of Homes on $1 Land: The New Housing Crisis Solution Sweeping the Country
Eliza Relman, Business Insider | Aol., September 3 2024
The U.S. is grappling with a significant housing shortage, and both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump propose utilizing federal land to address this issue. While Trump advocates for creating new cities on federal land, Harris supports using federal property for dense, affordable housing near transit hubs. Experts suggest that focusing on underused urban government land, particularly in transit-accessible areas, could provide a more practical and effective solution to the housing crisis.
COLORADO—E-Bike Incentives: Cleaner, Greener Ways to Travel
Press Release, City of Boulder CO, September 3 2024
Low-income Boulder residents will now have access to e-bike vouchers, under a new program from the City’s Climate Initiatives and Transportation and Mobility Departments. Local officials hope to provide residents with first and last-mile connections from other transit modes, while promoting public health. Qualified individuals must earn less than or equal to 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) and may receive up to $2,700 in financial assistance. Residents can also use vouchers at local bike shops for repairs.
CONNECTICUT—Hartford Judge Overrules Fairfield Zoning Commission in Court Appeal Over Downtown Affordable Housing
Jarrod Wardwell, CTPost, September 2 2024
A Hartford Superior Court ruling has revived a proposal for a 63-unit affordable housing development in downtown Fairfield and a block from the Fairfield Train Station. Judge Stephen Frazzini overruled the Town Plan and Zoning Commission’s 2022 denial, which was based on concerns about sewage, flooding, and parking, stating these issues did not outweigh the need for affordable housing under Connecticut’s 8-30g law. The ruling mandates the Commission to approve the project following additional soil testing, updated architectural plans, and a revised zoning amendment specific to the development site.
Regional and National TOD News
CALIFORNIA—Construction Underway for Ocean Creek Apartments in Oceanside
Samantha Nelson, The Coast News Group, September 4 2024
JPI Companies has broken ground on the 19-acre Jefferson Ocean Creek site, which will include five four-story buildings with 295 units, 30 of which are affordable. The development will also feature 3,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail. Residents will have pedestrian access to the Crouch Street Sprinter Station and various bus routes, along with an on-site bike repair room. Additional improvements include signal upgrades to improve pedestrian flow in the surrounding area. JPI Companies is also planning a mixed-use development at 901 Mission Avenue, featuring 28 affordable units within a 273-unit building.
WISCONSIN—Milwaukee Leaders Can Pave the Way for Regional Rail
Michael Dunst and Sidney Kuesters, Urban Milwaukee, September 1 2024
In an op-ed, transportation planners Michael Dunst and Sidney Kuesters argue that Milwaukee is poised for a transformative transportation shift with a proposal for a modern regional rail network utilizing existing railroads. To support this initiative, they suggest the city streamline zoning, target federal grants for affordable housing and economic development along rail corridors, and offer city-owned land as project equity. They also advocate for hydrogen-powered trains to enhance environmental benefits and cost savings, emphasizing the need for local leaders to back this ambitious project.
ILLINOIS—Parking Tops Resident Concerns for Potential Transit-Oriented Development
Margo Milanowski, Evanston RoundTable, August 31 2024
In a proposed development at 1300 Chicago Ave., Evanston, a seven-story, 67-unit building will include both market-rate and affordable housing, with all tenants offered the same rental rates. The project has sparked concerns from residents, particularly about the limited parking spots, with only nine spaces reserved for residents and none required for affordable housing units due to its proximity to the CTA Dempster Station on the purple line. The developer, Howard Weiner, touted how the building’s massing aligns with that of the existing neighborhood and the project’s inclusion of affordable housing and reduced parking to support the City’s sustainability goals.
I’ve Always Wondered … What types of infrastructure spending have the best long-term economic results?
Janet Nguyen, Marketplace, August 30 2024
Long-term economic growth is best supported by investments in core infrastructure like roads, airports, and public transportation, said Justin Marlowe of the University of Chicago. Telecommunications infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, and regional projects like airports can also yield high returns, especially by connecting communities to the digital economy. Transit systems, while costly to develop, can enhance land values and boost productivity over time, as seen in the success of New York City’s subway and Atlanta’s MARTA.
NEW YORK—Effectively Implementing Congestion Pricing in NYC, Part II: A New Vision
Mike Flynn and Melvin Wah, Sam Schwartz, August 29 2024
Mike Flynn and Melvin Wah, both with the transportation planning firm Sam Schwartz, argue that congestion pricing should be framed as part of a broader, transformative transportation strategy rather than a standalone toll. They emphasize the need for clear communication that highlights how the revenue will modernize and boost public transit, while reducing traffic to benefit a wider population. By presenting congestion pricing as a key investment in a more equitable and accessible New York, they believe public support can be garnered for this long-term vision.
International TOD News
SOUTH AFRICA—Clean Air Jozi: Combating Johannesburg’s Pollution Crisis For a Healthier Future
Virgil James, Press Release, September 5 2024
South Africa’s largest city is grappling with deteriorating air quality, with auto emissions comprising 30 percent of the city’s pollution. Under the Directorate for Air Quality and Climate Change, officials in Johannesburg have deployed various Travel Demand Management (TDM) strategies, mainly to promote public transit. Broader initiatives include expanding the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and restoring metro-rail services. As the city’s air toxin levels far exceed international standards, the Directorate will continue to work with the Johannesburg Development Agency to improve public health outcomes.
THAILAND—Free Rides for Bus Rapid Transit Customers
Supoj Wancharoen, Bangkok Post, September 2 2024
Bus riders in Bangkok will enjoy two introductory months of free fares, after the operators relaunched their Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system with a new electric fleet. Bus service will run from 6am to 10pm, include two new stops, and be wheelchair accessible. Managed by the Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc, new security cameras will improve safety measures for riders and drivers. Official fares will be announced later this year and plans to further extend the route may follow.