I was catching up on posts over at The Old Urbanist, and came across his astute analysis of setbacks that many of you probably saw a while back. Focusing on the requirement for large front lawns in many towns across the country, Charlie Gardner writes: Whether this reflects a continuing … [Read more...]
Archives for 2011
When does local industrial policy succeed?
Here's something to keep in mind when you hear mayors making plans for things like designated green energy zones or tech clusters: Q: Has anything surprised you about downtown's recovery? A: This was always a financial center. Now we have a lease for a million square feet from Condé Nast. That … [Read more...]
Before there were stimulus projects
In his new book, Railroaded: The Transcontinentals and the Making of Modern America, Richard White explores the financing of railroads in the American West and the political process behind it. In history books, this accomplishment is often looked on as a heroic feat of engineering and perseverance, … [Read more...]
Death and life in a changing neighborhood
A controversy in DC's Columbia Heights neighborhood exemplifies the common clash between NIMBYism and the achievement of Jane Jacob's ideals. Some residents are opposed to a new proposed diner, Margot's Chair, that would be open 24 hours a day. The owners already have three well-loved restaurants in … [Read more...]
Setting the right transit safety standards
Two years ago, two trains on Metro's red line collided killing nine people in DC. In response to this tragic accident, Metro is spending $1 billion to improve the system's safety. WMATA's interim General Manager told the Washington Post: “The system is absolutely safer than it was a year ago,” said … [Read more...]
Rent Control: Trying to Make a Bad Policy Worse in NYC
In New York, lawmakers are currently debating a compromise between New York City and upstate interests to change the policies that shape residents' housing costs. New York City lawmakers are fighting for an extension and expansion of current rent control laws, while Governor Cuomo wants to tie this … [Read more...]
The Price of Parking in India
In Triumph of the City, Ed Glaeser offers a very insightful analysis of density restriction in India, home of some of the fastest growing cities in the world. He explains that while land use regulations are detrimental to economic growth in the United States, the consequences are much greater in … [Read more...]
Some notes on slums and free markets
Recently I've been seeing a lot of articles about slums (the NYT on Gurgaon, India, and the Guardian on Cairo), and inevitably the phrase "free market" gets thrown around. And as it should – so-called "slums" often have very minimal active governance, and as a result they often have very dynamic … [Read more...]
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