The scales of land use regulations are tipped, according to this editorial. Balancing them will result in a more affordable city.

An editorial for Crain's New York Business places the blame for New York City's housing affordability crisis on the political process that exacts costs, and reduces units, throughout the approval and development process.
The problem is that the scales are tipped the wrong way. During the public-review process for zoning changes, almost no one but the developer advocates for more housing, because the people who would benefit directly—those who will live there and the workers who will build it—don't know it yet. New units reduce the cost of housing citywide, but one project's impact is too small to motivate the countless indirect beneficiaries to speak at a hearing or rally. In contrast, local opponents are motivated. The negative effects of a project are concentrated on them, and they can pressure their local politicians.
The editorial identifies a few places where the system has become friendlier to development, but makes a clear appeal for a less restrictive land use regime to the benefit of housing costs in the city.
FULL STORY: New Yorkers paying the price as scales tip against development

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico
An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes
Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels
Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.
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