Gentle Density: Unlocking the Missing Middle in Housing

Gentle Density: Unlocking the Missing Middle in Housing
Registration closes Tuesday, May 27, 2025. No late registrations can be accommodated.

Join us for the TOD in Your Downtown Forum, taking place for the first time at NJ TRANSIT’s new headquarters in downtown Newark.

Hosted by NJTOD, Downtown New Jersey, and NJ TRANSIT’s Transit Friendly Planning (TFP) Program, the event will feature a timely discussion on gentle density and missing middle housing in New Jersey. Experts from public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and local governments will share their experiences and strategies for expanding diverse housing options while preserving neighborhood character.

Middle Housing—ranging from duplexes to buildings with up to 12 units—have been largely sidelined since the mid-20th century, as zoning regulations prioritized suburban single-family homes or urban high rises. Reintroducing Middle Housing into single-family and transitional neighborhoods offers a practical approach to advancing Gentle Density.

As municipalities work to address the state’s housing shortage, gentle density provides a realistic and context-sensitive solution. This panel will highlight real-world approaches for developing Middle Housing, the role of public transit in supporting these efforts, and best practices for creating livable, affordable, and sustainable communities.

Registration, Networking & Refreshments at 9:30 AM
Panel at 10:00 AM

Welcome
Stephanie DiPetrillo, Senior Research Project Manager, RU-VTC / NJTOD

Introduction
Michael Swan, AICP, Assistant Director, Transit Friendly Planning, NJ TRANSIT

Moderator
Courtenay Mercer, Treasurer, Downtown NJ; Founding Principal + CEO, Mercer Planning Associates

Panelists
Adam Tecza, Urban Design Practice Manager, FHI Studio
Allison Ladd, Deputy Mayor and Director of Economic and Housing Development (EHD), City of Newark
Chris Cosenza, Project Manager, LRK
Chris Sturm, Policy Director, NJ Future

Closing Remarks
Megan Massey, AICP, PP, Director, Transit Friendly Planning, NJ TRANSIT