The image says it all:


And so in Portland, one of the most bike-friendly cities in the US, "the tiny house movement for apartment dwellers has arrived":


It's a new milestone for the Portland area's off-the-charts rental shortage, the third-tightest in the nation in the third quarter of 2013. And it might also be the key to a new model for apartment living that's designed to deliver relatively affordable rents for tiny units in highly desirable neighborhoods.

The new buildings, sometimes called "aPodments" or "micro-apartments," typically offer lightly furnished studios including a private bathroom. In order to attract tenants despite the small size, they're located in areas with one of the hottest commodities on the real estate market right now: excellent active transportation. Portland's first such building at 2250 NW Thurman St. proudly proclaims its Walk Score, Transit Score and Bike Score...


Once again, the future is nothing else than these elements: Walkability, density, reuse, and public transportation. The global situation: Rich cities must reverse vertically, and poor cities should stay where they are and develop horizontally.