The Live-Work Unit: Transition to Places for New Work

New Urban News Technical Page by Andres Duany, Michael Morrissey, and Patrick Pinnell

Beginning of text: The “American Dream” has always included not only owning your own home but being your own boss. It is odd therefore that not nearly as much thought, effort, and money have gone into how to provide affordable workspace as into achieving affordable dwelling. If there is actually no right to decent housing for all, there is widespread recognition that its provision is highly desirable. The same ought to be true of good workspace, especially of the smaller, business-startup variety.

As previously discussed, a live-work unit provides affordable workspace by including its cost within the overall mortgage. The problem is that some would-be business owners cannot afford the dwelling in the first place.