David Whitehead
Grtr Grtr Washington
Washington, DC, United States
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Past articles by David:
Arlington banned rowhouses in 1938, and we’re suffering the consequences now
The Washington region’s dramatic undersupply of missing middle housing is a serious problem. One reason it’s so severe: Arlington once banned rowhouses trying to preserve its suburban character. → Read More
Want to help GGWash out? Here’s where you can plug in!
GGWash is an organization powered by volunteers. With only a handful of staff, SO MUCH of what gets produced here is created by, reviewed by, approved by, and inspired by our volunteers from around the region. Would you like to join us? → Read More
Here’s what bus lanes on 14th Street NW could look like
14th Street in Columbia Heights could get bus lanes, if a proposal from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) becomes reality. The plans are in the early stages, and agency and neighborhood officials are looking for feedback. → Read More
Our 2018 endorsements for Advisory Neighborhood Commissions in Ward 7
DC’s Ward 7 is the northern half of neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River, plus an adjacent section on its western shore. There are lot of conversations about managing growth in these neighborhoods, and Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners will be the ones grappling with those issues. → Read More
Nobody is on the ballot in 15 Advisory Neighborhood Commission races. Will you be?
We’ve recently written a lot about candidates in Advisory Neighborhood Commission races all over DC. In 15 districts, no candidates filed petitions to get on the ballot, but people can run as write-in candidates. If you’re running, let us know! Or do you live in one of these empty districts? Consider running! → Read More
McDuffie: To help you stay, we need to build homes for new residents
At a June hearing about a controversial development in DC’s Ivy City neighborhood, Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyon McDuffie engaged in a series of meaningful exchanges with neighbors, and in the process made a clear case for why officials must keep pushing for new homes. → Read More
At this abandoned school, can YIMBYs support fewer homes and more parkland?
The historic, long-abandoned Crummell School and the surrounding area in the Ivy City neighborhood in Northeast DC are planned for redevelopment. Out of the three proposals put forward, the city recently chose the proposal that builds the most new homes, including a significant number of affordable homes. → Read More
Let’s bring 20,000 shared bikes to DC
DC has set a goal that by 2032, 25% of all commutes be walking or biking. Dockless bike and scooter programs can help us get to this goal, but we need to embrace an expansive vision of the system. → Read More
Historic preservation in DC needs reform
DC is undoubtedly a historic place, and it is essential that we use the tools we have to protect that history. However, DC is also a growing place, and a number of historic preservation cases and debates have revealed a preservation system in need of reform. → Read More
Should DC put a bike rack on every street corner?
One solution that would help all bikes, dockless or not: more bike parking. That’s what DC Councilmember At-large David Grosso thinks the city should invest in, and in a letter to Transportation Committee chair Mary Cheh he outlined how he thinks DC should go about it. → Read More
How do we grow and strengthen dockless in DC? We want your ideas.
Dockless bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters have transformed commuting options for many in DC for the past six months. What do you think their future regulations should look like? Help us collect some ideas and data. → Read More
Three months of organizing urbanists, and one historic night (morning)
We're through the first three months of the year and a lot has been happening. Take a moment to catch up on historic preservation, competition over a football stadium, growth in Reston, redlining, segregation, and more. → Read More
Have you signed up to influence the future of DC on March 20?
This hearing is a big deal, as you can tell by the overwhelming numbers of residents who have already signed up to testify. Let’s make sure voices for equitable urbanism are heard as well. The last day to sign up is March 16 — don’t miss this one! → Read More
Why the Office of Planning likes PUDs (and why you should too)
Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) are a particular development process in DC where an applicant can receive zoning flexibility and relief in exchange for a set of community benefits negotiated with the city and the neighborhood. PUDs have helped create affordable homes in the city. → Read More
DC, Maryland, and Virginia shouldn’t compete over a new football stadium
Our region needs more regional cooperation, and competing with each other in a race to the bottom to attract the new football stadium is exactly the wrong direction to go. Tell your legislators today to support this pact! → Read More
Will DC designate Kingman Park and Bloomingdale as historic despite community opposition?
Bloomingdale and Kingman Park might get marked historic whether or not the majority of the neighborhood supports becoming a historic district, because DC law doesn’t technically require taking public sentiment into account. → Read More
2017 was a busy year for housing and land use advocacy at GGWash
This year we crossed some major milestones in the ongoing effort to amend the DC Comprehensive Plan to make room for more homes, support more affordable homes, protect residents from displacement, and more. → Read More
Prince George’s is making important updates to its zoning code. Friday is the last day you can submit comments.
There’s a lot urbanists should get excited about in the proposed rewrite, including better zoning for areas near Metro, for mixed use development, and for urban agriculture. There's one bad thing too though — a dubious public process called “call-up.” Today is the last day to submit comments! → Read More
London’s new plan shows what it’s like when a city takes a housing shortage seriously
London’s Plan is still in its early stages of public feedback and development, but while we wait for DC’s own amendment process to come to fruition, it’s worth looking to other big-city plans like this for inspiration and ideas. → Read More
Once declared illegal, a dubious public process is sneaking back into Prince George’s County
Prince George’s County has already gone through this — Maryland's highest court agreed that the “call-up” system was too easy to abuse. It’s a very bad idea to reintroduce it now. → Read More