Most municipalities use the Floor Area Ratio (F.A.R.) metric to restrict development within their communities. F.A.R. is calculated by dividing the total floor area of a building by the area of the site it is built upon. In achieving planners’ and neighbors’ questionable objective of … [Read more...]
Archives for February 2009
Tagged (7 things about me)
Chris Bradford at Austin Contrarian tagged me back in December. It hasn't fallen off my radar, and I've been meaning to get to it this whole time. I'm supposed to tell seven things about myself and tag seven other blogs to do the same. (I probably won’t tag others. Is that lame?) … [Read more...]
Urban[ism] Legend: The Myth of Herbert Hoover
![Urban[ism] Legend: The Myth of Herbert Hoover](https://i1.wp.com/marketurbanism.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/hoover.jpg?fit=500%2C412)
Herbert Hoover is not a man I consider a "Legend" - quite the contrary. I use the words "Urbanism Legend" in the context of the series of posts intended to dispel popular myths as they relate to urbanism.Myths and fallacies about Herbert Hoover are abundant these days as the media discusses the … [Read more...]
The Nation’s mass transit hypocrisy
by Stephen SmithI was heartened to see an article about the need for mass transit in the pages of The Nation, though I was severely disappointed by the magazine's own hypocrisy and historical blindness. The article is in all ways a standard left-liberal screed against the car and for mass … [Read more...]
Density in the Animal Kingdom
Longtime reader, Dan M. wroteHey Adam, I was on your site and saw that you posted a video about ant cities. ( I didn't watch the vid yet, so my thought may or may not have anything to do with it) It's funny that you posted it because it sounds related to something I've been thinking about. I … [Read more...]
NY Rent Control Revival
In an act of pure legislative idiocy in the face of overwhelming consensus among economists against rent control, the New York State Assembly started the ball rolling to strengthen rent regulation. NY Times:The Democratic-led Assembly passed a broad package of legislation designed to restrain … [Read more...]
Ant Cities Don’t Have a Planning Department
Ants are a lot like humans in some ways. Look what ants can achieve without any top down management:[hat tip: Cafe Hayek] … [Read more...]
Illinois Court Rules Against Chicago’s “Vague” Landmark Ordinance
Chicago Real Estate Daily: An Illinois appellate court has struck down the city of Chicago’s landmarks ordinance, saying it is unconstitutionally vague, putting in jeopardy the city’s protection of more than 250 buildings and 50 historic districts. Judge James Fitzgerald Smith of the three person … [Read more...]