To formulate goals, planners gather public input. To design subdivisions, developers research the market. Both processes shape the physical community, but the methods differ. Market analyst Sheldon Blue and planner Tom Phillips revealed astonishing tools for determining who wants what kind of housing, how much money they have, and even what shade of lipstick they wear.
Data is available from commercial sources.
Sheldon and Tom have unearthed consumer preferences regarding density, alleys, and housing materials. Rose Curran of the King County Office of Regional Policy and Planning gave a sneak preview of the October 1999 Housing Affordability Study. The document is full of data on mortgage costs, rental costs, and incomes, especially for King County's cities. Housing costs have risen slightly faster than incomes. In 1993 the City adopted Design Review Guidelines for Multifamily and Commercial Buildings, so developments would fit better into their neighborhoods.