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The re:Main re:Think is a biweekly journey into the ideas, people, and policies that are transforming the future of housing. From visionary policymakers and trailblazing entrepreneurs to grassroots advocates and creative developers, we’ll spotlight those leading the charge to expand housing options and build vibrant, inclusive communities of all kinds. Have a policy, program, or project that’s pushing boundaries? We want to hear from you. Submit it here, and we may feature it in a future issue. Thanks for joining us. Let’s rethink what’s possible—together.
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MBTA Communities Gold Star: Franklin
The next feature in this series highlights a community worthy of special recognition, not only for its compliance with MBTA Communities...
Jonathan Berk
Dec 18, 20243 min read
We Must Rebrand Housing as a Benefit, Not a Burden
I’m often asked by area business owners and residents, “What can we do to support solutions to our housing issues in our own...
Jonathan Berk
Dec 15, 20244 min read
America's Walkable Housing Gap
Let's set a baseline of understanding here first. Does every American want to live in a walkable neighborhood in a smaller home or...
Jonathan Berk
Dec 11, 20244 min read
MBTA Communities Gold Star: Andover
New Housing & A Robust Small Business Community Andover approached MBTA Communities compliance with the mindset of 'how can encourage the...
Jonathan Berk
Dec 10, 20243 min read
MBTA Communities Gold Star: Watertown
In November, Massachusetts reached a major milestone in the MBTA Communities implementation process, providing an opportunity to...
Jonathan Berk
Nov 27, 20244 min read
MBTA Communities Gold Stars
Four years after Former Governor Charlie Baker enacted Housing Choice, which encompassed MBTA Communities, Massachusetts achieved a...
Jonathan Berk
Nov 26, 20242 min read
The Walkability Of Halloween In Salem (leave the car at home)
In October, Salem, Massachusetts hosts over 1.2 million visitors in its compact downtown area the covers less than 2 square miles, a...
Jonathan Berk
Oct 30, 20243 min read
America Is Aging. Our Communities Are Not Ready
Thanks to significant advancements in healthcare, medicine, and living conditions, the average lifespan of Americans has greatly risen....
Jonathan Berk
Oct 15, 20244 min read
New Report Looks At Impact Of "Single-Stair" Reform in Massachusetts
Last month I wrote a bit about the wave of "single-stair" reforms sweeping across North America. This reform would allow something called...
Jonathan Berk
Oct 10, 20244 min read
Single Stair Reform Comes to British Columbia. Who's Next?
Across North America, single stair reform or 'point access blocks' have the potential to be one of the most significant building code...
Jonathan Berk
Aug 29, 20242 min read
Massachusetts' Future Depends On Our Ability To Break Down Barriers To Infill Development
Our policies and processes make it exceedingly difficult, costly and risky to build on these infill sites perpetuating our region's sprawl.
Jonathan Berk
Aug 27, 20245 min read
New Study Finds Prolonged Development Approval Timelines Have Chilling Effect On Housing Production
Two California researchers dug deep into the lengthy Los Angeles' housing permitting processes and history of development in the City...
Jonathan Berk
Aug 12, 20241 min read
Not Building More Housing Is The Worst Thing You Can Do For Your Schools
This article originally appeared in the July 7th, 2024 edition of Banker & Tradesman. A lack of new housing production has sent housing...
Jonathan Berk
Aug 9, 20244 min read
In Response to Housing Crisis, Mult-Family Building Permits Issued In 10 Days
In response to a regional housing shortage and growing affordability crisis, The City of Kelowna in eastern British Columbia rezoned most...
Jonathan Berk
Jul 12, 20242 min read
Bringing Life Back To Downtown, Our Social, Cultural & Economic Hubs
[Originally Published in the Summer of 2022] From big cities to small towns, the upending of our daily routines around work, school,...
Jonathan Berk
Jun 14, 20249 min read
A Look At How State Governments Are Responding To America's Growing Housing Crisis
As our national housing crisis continues to grow in severity across the Country, coordinated, state legislatures are beginning to pass...
Jonathan Berk
May 22, 20246 min read
Small Developers Are Key to Building More Homes, But They Need Help
Financing Innovations Will Help Everyone Create Great Neighborhoods Jonathan Berk | Special to Banker & Tradesman | May 6th, 2024...
Jonathan Berk
May 6, 20244 min read
'Abutter' Lawsuits Have The Potential To Derail Solutions To Massachusetts' Housing Crisis
Lengthy public processes, numerous hearings and municipal boards are all part of how we build most housing in Massachusetts. It's an...
Jonathan Berk
Apr 29, 20245 min read
Resisting Change In The Name Of "Community Character" Is Actually Destroying It
So much of the pushback to new housing is rooted in fears of change to "neighborhood character." Few in the public seem to realize, or...
Jonathan Berk
Apr 18, 20242 min read
Jonathan Berk
Mar 8, 20240 min read
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