Urbanization and Land Use

Urban agriculture refers to the practice of growing food in urban areas, often in small spaces such as rooftops, balconies, or community gardens. It can contribute to food security by providing fresh and affordable food, reducing food miles, and promoting community engagement.

Racial steering is the practice of steering prospective homebuyers of a particular race or ethnicity towards or away from certain neighborhoods, often with the intent to maintain racial segregation.

White flight refers to the process by which white residents leave an area in response to the increasing presence of racial or ethnic minorities.

Displacement refers to the process by which racial or ethnic minorities are forced to move out of their homes or neighborhoods due to rising housing costs or gentrification.

Gentrification refers to the process by which a neighborhood undergoes a transformation from a low-income, minority-majority area to a more affluent, white-majority area.

Blockbusting refers to the practice of buying up properties in a neighborhood with the intent to resell them at a higher price, often leading to displacement of existing residents.

Urban renewal is a process of redeveloping and revitalizing older urban areas, often through the use of government funding and incentives. It can involve a variety of activities, such as demolishing old buildings and constructing new ones, improving infrastructure, and providing new amenities.

Adaptive reuse is the process of converting a non-residential building into a residential building. This can be done for a variety of reasons, such as to create more affordable housing, to revitalize older urban areas, or to preserve historic buildings.

Historic preservation is the process of preserving and protecting historic buildings and districts. This can be done through a variety of means, such as designating buildings as landmarks, providing financial incentives for owners to rehabilitate historic buildings, and regulating the demolition of historic buildings.

Infill development is the process of increasing the density of housing in a particular area by building new housing units on vacant or underused land. This can be done through a variety of means, such as constructing new townhouses or apartments, or converting single-family homes into multi-family homes.

Complete streets are streets that are designed to be safe and accessible for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. This can be done through a variety of means, such as widening sidewalks, adding bike lanes, and installing traffic calming measures.

Mixed-use development is a type of development that includes a variety of uses, such as residential, commercial, and retail, in the same area. This can help to create a more walkable and bikeable community where people can live, work, and play without having to drive.

Compact development is a type of development that creates a community where people live close together and have easy access to public transportation. This can help to reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Transportation demand management is the process of creating a community where people have access to a variety of transportation options, such as public transportation, walking, and biking. This can help to reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Inclusionary zoning is a policy that requires developers to include a certain percentage of affordable housing units in their new developments. This can help to create a community where people have access to affordable housing.