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Log CM for AICP

Housing Affordability, Availability, and Accessibility

Connecting Parks to Housing and Housing to Parks

Sunday, April 14, 2024
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM CT
Location: Room 101 HIJ
CM | .75
Division Endorsement: Housing and Community Development Division
A substantial number of new city parks are built either by or in partnership with the development community with the aim of providing greenspace space alongside housing. Trust for Public Land (TPL) researchers found that at least some portion of the land for 61% of 30 new public parks across the country was provided by developers between 2005 – 2014. A review of parks opened in 2018-2023 found that approximately half of the land for parks across six large cities was acquired from developers.

This panel will:

Share recent research from the TPL on the tools available to cities for connecting housing and parks (i.e., parkland dedication ordinances and impact fees) and how those tools affect park equity.

Share a model for “Park-Oriented Development” led by the LA Regional Open Space and Affordable Housing Coalition.

Highlight the role that developers are playing in establishing privately-owned and managed greenspace and how to ensure the quality of those spaces with a model from Lexington, Kentucky.

With the significant role that developers are playing in driving parks and greenspace, this panel will leave attendees with tools, models, and case studies of how they can equitably advance housing and greenspace in their communities.

Access this session with closed captions (Wordly)

Learning Objectives:

  • Participants will understand the fundamentals of development policies, i.e., parkland dedication ordinances and impact fees, as well as how these policies are shaping parkland acquisition and development across the country.
  • Participants will understand how developers are creating housing with access to high-quality greenspace while maintaining affordability.
  • Participants will understand how cities are working with developers to ensure residents have access to high-quality greenspace when parks and greenspaces are privately-owned and managed.