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Tuesday, August 29th
Lowe's Responds to Demand for Affordable Housing Solution
Lowe's announced it has finalized a licensed agreement with designer Marianne Cusato to be the exclusive retailer of housing plans and associated building materials needed to construct Katrina Cottages. Four designs of the cottages will be initially available in Lowe's stores throughout Mississippi and Louisiana.
Katrina Cottages, developed by Marianne Cusato in conjunction with a team of leading architects from around the United States including renowned architect and town planner Andres Duany, are designed to withstand heavy rain and winds up to 140 miles per hour, meet most hurricane codes and the International Building Code. The first four plans Lowe's intends to offer its customers range from 544 square feet to 936 square feet. Some of the plans are designed to grow as large as 1,200 square feet, though a limited number of additional designs at 1,340 square feet are forthcoming.
With the exception of construction costs of building the home, HVAC and foundation materials required by local building codes, the cost of a Katrina Cottage at Lowe's is virtually all-inclusive comprising of premium quality products like rot- and termite-resistant siding, durable 25-year warranted metal roofing, moisture and mold resistant drywall, framing, insulation, fixtures, electrical, plumbing and even appliances.
Lowe's expects the Katrina Cottage plans to be available in select Mississippi and Louisiana stores beginning in late Fall of 2006. For more information about the original Katrina Cottage, visit
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 08.29.06 @ 19:24PST
Saturday, August 26th
Big Plans For Small Houses
I've written quite a bit about small houses recently. Today I saw a quite attractive small house on Congress for a New Urbanism web site. "A Katrina Cottage" as it's called is conceived to be a small, yet permanent house to be built and installed on-site for the same price as a FEMA trailer. ( Here's another article about the Katrina Cottage )
The U.S. government spends at least $70,000, and as much as $140,000 per trailer on temporary housing. While helpful on a temporary basis, the need for a permanent home remains. The magnitude of Katrina-Rita has so upset the balance of housing supply and demand that FEMA trailers may be needed much longer than initially anticipated. Many Hurricane Andrew trailers are still in place thirteen years after the storm. However, trailers are not designed to be continuously inhabited for long periods of time. They are not durable homes and can be unsafe shelters in hurricanes or tornadoes.
An interesting historical parallel is the temporary housing built for victims of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. The houses were later sold and moved to lots in the city and adapted as permanent housing. Twenty-five still exist.
If built, promoters say the Katrina Cottages may remain on-site as a safe, permanent dwelling that can be expanded into a full-sized house.
The cottages are not so unlike (although larger than some) homes being promoted by the Small House Society and others. I have a neighbor who had a small house designed. He plans to build it on a lot around the corner. I look forward to seeing its construction and I suspect the attractiveness, simplicity and design of the cottage could be as appealing as the i-pod, mini-cooper, etc. It's all about design. Combined with other factors, it could mean as much as the end of the big house era.
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 08.26.06 @ 11:20PST
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Apartment Markets Continue To Strengthen
Housing sales are cooling and that's sending homeseekers to rental apartments. Apartment markets continue their upward trajectory, according to two recent reports.
The National Multi Housing Council’s July 2006 Quarterly Survey of Apartment Market Conditions. Fully 75 percent of the respondents reported tighter market conditions over the prior three months, measured by lower vacancy rates, higher rents or both.
Builder confidence in current rental apartment market conditions also climbed in the second quarter of 2006, and their expectations for the next six months are even higher amid rising occupancy rates, rising rents, and increased traffic at all classes of rental apartments, according to results from the National Association of Home Builders/Fannie Mae Multifamily Rental Market Index.
“We are in the midst of a solid comeback on the rental apartment side of the multifamily housing market,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders, who noted that during the last three years, condos have made up a rising share of multifamily housing production.
“At the same time, thousands of existing rental units had been converted to for-sale units to meet what seemed an insatiable appetite for condos,” said Seiders. “As a result, the supply of rental units is very tight at a time when the demand pendulum is swinging back to rentals,” said Seiders.
The component of the MRMI that tracks current demand saw both luxury apartments and lower-priced apartments (Class A and Class C) reaching their highest levels on record in the second quarter of 2006, with luxury rentals reaching 73.2 and lower-priced rentals reaching 68.0, up from 62.5 and 61.5 respectively in the second quarter of 2005. The same demand index for moderately priced (Class B) apartments stood at 71.4, up 6.6 points since the same time last year and the same as in the first quarter of this year. The scale is from 0 to 100, with a rating of 50 generally indicating that the number of positive responses is about the same as the number of negative responses.
Meanwhile, the index tracking market supply conditions moved down slightly for both market rate and affordable apartments. Developers’ responses produced a value of 54.1 for market rate rental starts, and 48.9 for affordable (federally subsidized) rental starts.
When asked about their expectations for the rental market over the next six months, multifamily builders were extremely optimistic, with the MRMI reaching 75.9, 78.6, and 74.0 for Class A, Class B, and Class C apartments respectively. Those expectations seemed based on a big boost in the volume of calls from prospective renters—the index tracking this component of demand was up to 70.7 in the second quarter of 2006 from 68.9 in the second quarter of 2005.
In addition, the index that gauges effective rents also reached a record level in the second quarter of 2006, standing at 85.0, which is 15.8 points higher than the same time last year and more than 30 points higher than the same time in 2003.
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 08.26.06 @ 08:57PST
New Urbanism in the Post-Katrina Storm Zone
New Urbanist planners and architects have led the planning and rebuilding effort in the aftermath of the devastating 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Read more from the Congress for a New Urbanism
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 08.26.06 @ 08:50PST
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Helping Inner City Residents Find Suburban Jobs
Providing transportation to reach jobs that have relocated to the suburbs is not enough to help low-income and minority urban job seekers find employment according to a new study published in the summer edition of the Journal of the American Planning Association.
"Overcoming Mismatch: Beyond Dispersal, Mobility, and Development Strategies," written by Karen Chapple, a city and regional planning professor at the University of California at Berkeley, found that planners need to facilitate new social networks to overcome spatial mismatch — when jobs leave the city for suburban locations resulting in high unemployment rates among non-whites.
"John Kain's theory of spatial mismatch from the 1960s has focused policy decisions on making transportation accessible for inner city residents to reach suburban jobs," said Chapple. "However, transportation is not the only issue for jobseekers. Planners must begin to address the social barriers that keep urban job seekers from meeting with suburban employers, or even the employers next door."
In the study, Chapple calls for policy decisions that encourage establishing and building social networks. The majority of urban job seekers learn about employment opportunities from neighbors and community members.
Chapple believes that planners can encourage social networks by ensuring first that communities are not isolated, for instance by maintaining affordable shopping options for residents. Secondly, they can make transportation more accessible for both work and non-work travel. And most importantly, planners can assist in locating workforce development programs and intermediaries throughout the region so they are accessible to job seekers.
Chapple believes that planners have the knowledge, tools, and resources at hand that can help promote such social networks and initiate social change in our communities.
Click here to read the JAPA article
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 08.26.06 @ 08:42PST
Friday, August 18th
Free "Be Urban" Sticker Offer
Get a free New Colonist/Be Urban Sticker! Just send a self addressed stamped envelope to The New Colonist Sticker Offer, P.O. Box 661 Duncansville, PA 16635.
Also, check our MARKETPLACE for recently added items!
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 08.18.06 @ 14:07PST
Thursday, August 17th
Third U.S. Conference on Peak Oil and Community Solutions
The third U.S. Conference on Peak Oil and Community Solutions will be a key educational and networking opportunity for all individuals concerned about Peak Oil and climate change and who are working to make the necessary changes in their lives and communities. Make your way to Yellow Springs, Ohio September 22-24.
MORE INFORMATION
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 08.17.06 @ 08:24PST
Food and Distance
The "Eat Local" concept is apparently approaching the mainstream, perhaps inspired by the unavoidable realization that global warming is here and cheap transport is gone, perhaps simply by the desire for tasty food. Here is an excerpt from a recent Los Angeles Times article covering the issue:
Americans can now vote with their grocery dollars. And buying locally offers a relatively simple solution to specific and immediate problems: small farms forestall suburban sprawl; eating food grown nearby takes less of a toll on the environment.
To read the entire article, go to
Voting with their Forks
Richard Risemberg (rrisemberg@newcolonist.com), on 08.17.06 @ 06:32PST
Wednesday, August 16th
Census Bureau Data Show Key Population Changes Across Nation
From Santa Barbara to Tallahassee and Birmingham to Santa Fe, the U.S. Census Bureau recently released for the first time key demographic and social data for areas with populations of 65,000 or more – an updated look at how the nation’s population has changed, and the first for many communities since Census 2000.
The Census Bureau’s new American Community Survey (ACS) provides more timely and updated information about the nation’s changing and diverse population every year. Without the ACS, this type of information — historically gathered just once a decade — would not be available for communities until 2012.
“The nationwide implementation of the American Community Survey signals a dramatic improvement in the availability of local data used by government, communities and businesses,” said Census Bureau Director Louis Kincannon. “The data are vital for the planning, implementation and evaluation of policies ranging from building new schools and roads to establishing initiatives that drive economic development.”
The 2005 ACS data include demographic and social information such as race, Hispanic origin, age, education, marital status, grandparents as caregivers, veterans, disability status and U.S. citizenship. The data is available for nearly 7,000 areas, including all congressional districts and counties, cities and American Indian/Alaska native areas of 65,000 population or more.
Additionally, the data represent the first update of key population characteristics from 2000 to 2005 for 75 of the top 100 fastest-growing cities in the nation – including Irvine, Calif.; Brownsville, Texas; Charleston, S.C.; and Norman, Okla.
Selected Data Highlights for Largest and Smallest U.S. Cities:
Median Age
According to the 2005 ACS, the median age for the U.S. household population was 36.4 years. Among the nation’s 15 largest cities, some of the populations with the highest median ages were found in San Francisco (39.4 years of age), New York (35.8) and Philadelphia (35.3). Phoenix (30.9), Dallas (31.9) and Columbus, Ohio (32.1) had some of the lowest median ages. Data available for the first time since Census 2000 for some of smallest cities with a total population of 65,000 or more show that Boynton Beach, Fla. (44.1 years) had the highest median age, while Bloomington, Ind. (26.9 years), Greenville, N.C. (27.3) and Bryan, Texas (27.7) had some of the lowest median ages.
Percent 65 Years of Age and Older
Nationally, about 12.1 percent of the household population was 65 years and older. Some of the highest percentages for large cities were found in San Francisco (14.6 percent), Philadelphia (12.7) and New York (11.9). At the other end of the spectrum, Phoenix, (7.5), Houston (8.4), Dallas (8.7) and Columbus, Ohio, (8.7) had some of the lowest percentage of seniors. Among the 15 smallest cities for which data are now available, Boynton Beach, Fla. (21.5 percent), Lynchburg, Va. (16.7) and Muncie, Ind. (14.2) had high concentrations of populations 65 and over. Lower percentages were found in Bryan, Texas, (7.2 percent), Missouri City, Texas (7.5) and both Fayetteville, Ark., and Greenville, N.C. (7.8).
Percent Bachelor’s Degree or More
The national average of those who have completed college continues to rise. In 2005, approximately 27.2 percent of the population 25 years and over had received a bachelor’s degree or more. San Francisco led all large cities with more than 1-in-2 of its residents reporting they had completed at least undergraduate studies. Other highly educated cities included San Diego (40.4 percent), San Jose (36.1) and New York (32.2). Of the smallest 15 cities for which 2005 ACS data are available, Bloomington, Ind. (53.7 percent); Redondo Beach, Calif. (52.9); and Fayetteville, Ark. (44.9) had high rates of populations that had attained a bachelor’s degree or more.
Percent Foreign Born
The percent of the nation that was foreign born in 2005 was 12.4 percent. According to the ACS, more than 1-in-3 residents living in Los Angeles (40.3 percent), San Jose (37.9) and New York (36.6) were not U.S. citizens at birth. Conversely, Detroit (6.3 percent) and Indianapolis (6.7) were large cities where the percent of foreign born was half that of the national average. Among smaller cities, East Orange, N.J. (25.9 percent); Missouri City, Texas (22.2); and Boynton Beach, Fla. (20.5), had some of the higher percentages of residents who were foreign born. Some of the lowest percentages for smaller cities were found in Lynchburg, Va. (2 percent); Muncie, Ind. (2.8); and Greenville, N.C. (3.5).
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 08.16.06 @ 15:09PST
Sunday, August 13th
U.K.-California Global Warming Pact Can Be Impetus For More Passenger Rail
It's amazing and sad our own national government isn't so concearned.
The National Association of Railroad Passengers applauds the Global Warming Partnership formed recently between the United Kingdom and the State of California. We urge that increased passenger rail investment be used to help reduce greenhouse gasses and America’s dependence on foreign oil. In particular, we applaud the report in today’s Financial Times that California and the UK “will collaborate on reducing emissions from road transport.” However, we urge that this include passenger rail, not just “sharing knowledge gained from California’s project to encourage use of hydrogen-fuelled cars.”
California’s passenger rail program is the nation’s biggest, but huge needs remain. James Mills, Former President Pro Tem of the California Senate, told NARP, “The Governor would make his words meaningful by directing more of the state’s transportation funds into intercity rail and transit projects.”
Expanding passenger rail reduces greenhouse gasses. Oak Ridge National Laboratory reports that, in 2003, Amtrak consumed 18% less energy per passenger-mile than airlines, and 17% less than automobiles. In other words, Amtrak was 18% more energy efficient than planes, 17% than autos. A solid rail investment program could give rail an even greater energy efficiency edge.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said “long term, (global warming is) the single biggest issue we face.”
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today said, “We see that there is not great leadership from the federal government when it comes to protecting the environment. We know there is global warming, so we should stop it.” Schwarzenegger reportedly wants California to cut its emissions to 2000 levels by 2010.
Washington’s hostility towards passenger rail is well known. More recent attempts to strangle Amtrak, however, have shifted from obvious to stealth; that is, from dramatic funding cuts and legislated lists of routes to drop, to onerous and unworkable language and fiscal requirements in yearly appropriations bills.
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 08.13.06 @ 17:42PST
Thursday, August 10th
Survey: Moscow Most Expensive City
Moscow has replaced Tokyo as the world's most expensive city, according to the latest Cost of Living Survey from Mercer Human Resource Consulting. Seoul is in second place, climbing three places since last year. Tokyo moves down two positions in the rankings to take third place, followed by Hong Kong. Asuncion in Paraguay remains the least expensive city in the survey.
With New York as the base city scoring 100 points, Moscow scores 123.9 and is nearly three times costlier than Asuncion, which has an index of 43.5.
Mercer's survey covers 144 cities across six continents and measures the comparative cost of over 200 items in each location, including housing, transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment. It is the world's most comprehensive cost-of-living survey and is used to help multinational companies and governments determine compensation allowances for their expatriate employees.
There have been some significant changes in the rankings this year which are primarily due to exchange rate fluctuations, in particular the strengthening of the US dollar.
Europe
Moscow is the most expensive city in Europe and in the rest of the world, with a score of 123.9. "Steep accommodation costs have contributed to the city's high ranking, as the recent property boom has driven up rental prices for expatriates," said Anna Krotova, Senior Researcher at Mercer. London is the second most expensive city in Europe and ranks in 5th position (score 110.6). Leipzig is Europe's cheapest city in 123rd position with a score of 68.1.
The Americas
New York remains the most expensive city in North America and climbs three places to 10th position (score 100). Currency appreciation is the main reason for this, although price increases in fuel and certain consumer goods have also contributed to New York's rise in the rankings. Other high-ranking cities include Los Angeles in position 29 (86.7), San Francisco in 34th place (85) and Chicago in 38th position (84.1). Washington DC takes 83rd place (77). Winston Salem is the cheapest US city surveyed, ranked 124th (66.7). Though still relatively inexpensive and benefiting from stable inflation, Canadian cities continue to move up the rankings due to the strength of the Canadian dollar. Toronto is the most expensive city in Canada and moves up from 82nd to 47th place (82.6). Ottawa remains the least expensive Canadian city but has climbed 32 places from 122nd to 90th (75.6).
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 08.10.06 @ 13:11PST
