Our Built Environment

Our Built Environment explores the creation of better, more inclusive spaces within urban planning, real estate, and placemaking. It examines challenges and solutions related to city design, housing affordability, and the role of policy and development in shaping spaces. The newsletter provides insights into building optimistically and sustainably for future generations.

Urban Planning Real Estate Development Housing Affordability Placemaking Policy and Regulation Architectural Design Sustainable Development Community Building Economic Factors in Development Cultural and Historical Contexts

The hottest Substack posts of Our Built Environment

And their main takeaways

Observations From Paris

471 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🏝 Travel City Beauty
  1. Paris is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
  2. Paris attracts millions of visitors each year.
  3. Consider subscribing for a 7-day free trial to learn more about Paris.

Why Building Better Places Isn’t About Money

78 implied HN points • 10 Mar 22
  1. Building better places isn't about money - it's about creating a thoughtful foundation and considering how people interact with the built environment.
  2. Common factors like modern zoning codes, road design, and building codes contribute to the decline of well-designed places.
  3. Developers need to prioritize community impact and work with responsive planners to create attractive, affordable spaces.

America’s Affordable Housing Problem

43 HN points • 17 Aug 22
  1. America has been facing a severe housing crisis, affecting millions of households.
  2. Nearly half of all renters, around 20 million households, struggle with housing costs.
  3. There is a need to analyze and implement effective policies to address America's affordable housing problem.
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Why Every Main Street Looks The Same

58 implied HN points • 07 May 22
  1. Main Streets look similar due to municipal policies and financial incentives.
  2. Chain stores dominate Main Streets across the US.
  3. Wide roads and sidewalks contribute to the sameness of Main Streets.

Why New York’s Rent is So Expensive

39 implied HN points • 30 Jun 22
  1. New York City is facing a housing crisis due to a severe imbalance between supply and demand, leading to skyrocketing rents.
  2. Legislation like the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act, while well-intentioned, has not addressed the root cause of the issue by not focusing on increasing housing supply.
  3. To address the expensive rent issue in New York, there needs to be a focus on building more housing, improving the quality of existing housing, and implementing effective policy changes to ensure affordability and equity.

Rules For Successful Real Estate Development

39 implied HN points • 27 Dec 21
  1. Real estate development involves more than just financial gain.
  2. Success in real estate is not just about wealth building, but also about the physical structures being created.
  3. Consider the tangible and intangible aspects of real estate development.

On Building Optimism

19 implied HN points • 07 Feb 22
  1. The importance of fostering hope for the future in our built environment.
  2. Many new places in America are perceived to be lacking in quality.
  3. Consider subscribing to explore more content on building optimism.

Life In The Post-Covid City

0 implied HN points • 02 Mar 21
  1. Covid-19 did not kill cities, contrary to some predictions.
  2. There's an opportunity to improve our living spaces after the pandemic.
  3. Urban life will adapt and evolve post-Covid.

Where there is beauty

0 implied HN points • 24 Feb 21
  1. Instagram shouldn't be a measure of success or self-worth.
  2. When it comes to cities, making places visually appealing matters.
  3. People are naturally drawn to beauty and nature in their surroundings.

Yes, IN My Backyard

0 implied HN points • 09 Feb 21
  1. Accessory Dwelling Units & Granny Flats can help solve the Housing Crisis
  2. Consider building in your backyard to address housing challenges
  3. Explore the benefits of Accessory Dwelling Units and Granny Flats

The Twin Swords

0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 21
  1. America's cities were negatively impacted by roads built with questionable intentions.
  2. There is an opportunity to rectify this destructive legacy.
  3. Consider subscribing to learn more about this topic.

Boundary Estate

0 implied HN points • 06 Dec 20
  1. Bold proposals are powerful in design projects.
  2. Inspiration can be found in unexpected places.
  3. Consider exploring surprising sources for fresh ideas.

Town Centers Are Not The Answer To Dying Malls

0 implied HN points • 26 Nov 20
  1. Town centers are not a solution for dying malls.
  2. What seems good in theory may not work well in practice.
  3. Consider the effectiveness of solutions in real-life situations.

Is This the Worst Development in the North East?

0 implied HN points • 05 Oct 20
  1. The post discusses a development in the North East and the issues surrounding it.
  2. The author questions why certain decisions were made and who is to blame.
  3. There is a call to action for readers to subscribe for more content and a free trial.

Main Street, U.S.A

0 implied HN points • 27 Sep 20
  1. An interesting article discussing why downtown areas have multiple banks, nail salons, a Chinese restaurant, and vacant spaces.
  2. The post is by Coby Lefkowitz on the Our Built Environment newsletter.
  3. To keep reading the full article and access post archives, there's a 7-day free trial available.

Can ADUs Help Solve Our Housing Crisis?

0 implied HN points • 13 Dec 21
  1. America is facing a severe housing crisis.
  2. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) could help alleviate this crisis.
  3. Society needs to acknowledge and address this housing crisis.

The Death of Downtown and Life of Great American Cities

0 implied HN points • 29 Jul 21
  1. Central business districts are declining, creating an opportunity to reshape cities.
  2. The image of a bustling downtown is changing as traditional skyscrapers and offices evolve.
  3. Consider subscribing for more insights on urban development and city life.

Are Private Equity Firms to Blame For Rising Home Prices?

0 implied HN points • 29 Jun 21
  1. Wall Street is often blamed, but the real culprit behind rising home prices may be closer to home.
  2. Concerns about high housing prices have been widespread this past year.
  3. There is a trend of increasing finger-pointing to assign blame for the rise in home prices.

Stop Building On The Coast

0 implied HN points • 06 May 21
  1. The seas are rising and will eventually inundate some areas.
  2. It is crucial to rethink building on the coast to address the threat of rising seas.
  3. Consider the long-term implications and plan ahead for coastal areas.

Too Smart For Their Own Good

0 implied HN points • 13 Apr 21
  1. Technology should serve people, not the other way around.
  2. Sidewalk Labs aimed to revolutionize urban development in Toronto.
  3. Consider subscribing to Our Built Environment for more insights.

Damn, they don’t make ’em like this anymore

0 implied HN points • 06 Apr 21
  1. The post reflects on the idea that things are not made like they used to be.
  2. The content discusses a westian view on American places.
  3. There's a mention of Kanye West and his hit song Stronger from 2007.

Real Estate Investing & Social Media

0 implied HN points • 17 Nov 20
  1. Be cautious when following advice from real estate investing influencers on social media.
  2. Consider real estate investing advice with a grain of salt.
  3. Try a 7-day free trial for access to full post archives.

Fixing America Starts With How We Live

0 implied HN points • 26 Jan 22
  1. America is deeply polarized by various factors like politics, religion, and culture.
  2. Restoring The Missing Middle in housing can help address societal polarization.
  3. The way we live plays a significant role in fixing issues in America.

Gentrification Isn’t The Problem

0 implied HN points • 29 Mar 21
  1. Displacement is the real issue, not gentrification.
  2. Solving displacement requires more housing and better protections.
  3. Gentrification involves misunderstood concepts, investment doesn't always mean displacement.

I Dreamed Of Charleston

0 implied HN points • 23 Mar 21
  1. The post is about a photo essay on Charleston.
  2. The content is part of a series showcasing cities and towns.
  3. Readers can access full post archives with a 7-day free trial subscription.

Lessons From A School You’re Not Enrolled In

0 implied HN points • 02 Feb 21
  1. Lessons from a school you're not enrolled in can still be valuable.
  2. College campuses offer insights on creating holistic communities.
  3. Consider exploring different perspectives to learn from various environments.

What’s New May Soon Be Old

0 implied HN points • 18 Jan 21
  1. The Sun Belt's growth goes beyond warm weather and low taxes.
  2. The Rust Belt has potential for resurgence.
  3. Consider subscribing for more insights on built environments.

In Defense of Vanity Projects

0 implied HN points • 16 Nov 21
  1. Cities can benefit from ornamental architecture.
  2. Great cities have unique qualities that set them apart from bad cities.
  3. Having a variety of good elements like buildings, institutions, parks, and more contributes to a city's greatness.

The Dangerous Myth of Luxury Housing

0 implied HN points • 10 Aug 21
  1. New market-rate housing can help decrease rents as affordable housing catches up.
  2. The labeling of housing as 'luxury' can lead to polarized responses.
  3. Consider the impact of marketing and intentions in housing perceptions.

Electric Vehicles Won’t Save Us

0 implied HN points • 15 Jun 21
  1. Electric vehicles are not a solution to our environmental challenges
  2. The narrative around electric vehicles has gained significant momentum in the last decade
  3. Federal departments have recognized the potential impact of electric vehicles in sustainability efforts

Why Everywhere Looks The Same

0 implied HN points • 28 Apr 21
  1. Many towns and cities in America lack architectural diversity in new development.
  2. Real estate institutionalization has led to the creation of 'placeless' places.
  3. Consider subscribing to gain full access to Our Built Environment posts.

No, We’re Not In A Bubble

0 implied HN points • 21 Apr 21
  1. Real estate market is red-hot and home prices are soaring.
  2. Articles, tweets, and videos are highlighting the competitiveness of the housing market.
  3. Consider subscribing for a 7-day free trial to access more content on the topic.