Balancing Aesthetics and Affordability

Policies too narrowly focused on design can drive up the cost of construction and prevent the development of affordable housing.

2 minute read

April 20, 2021, 9:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Writing in Slate, Henry Grabar argues that the "battle between aesthetics and affordability" doesn't have to be a zero-sum game. "The promotion of good design in new buildings—distinct from the idea of preserving old ones—has become as much a local government objective as making sure every kid has a seat in school. Older American cities and suburbs are blanketed with zoning codes, historic districts, and design commissions that make sure communities that look nice stay looking nice." 

But "a new wave of housing activists argues that this focus is a farce," a coy excuse to implement thinly veiled restrictive covenants that prevent socio-economic diversity and cause displacement of lower-income residents. "This status quo has preserved the shape of older places, but not the kinds of people who once lived there." Since the Great Recession, "we built the fewest new homes per capita of any period since World War II." The focus of historic preservation, Grabar argues, "has shifted from protecting the old to policing the new." Yet "it’s deeply human to care about what our surroundings look like," and YIMBYs must balance their interests with those of preservationists. 

Zoning codes present another hurdle to increased density and affordable design. To streamline permitting and encourage construction, some cities are implementing pre-approval programs. "Los Angeles has staged a design competition for pre-approved ADU plans," and Bryan, Texas hopes to "jump-start the construction of 'missing middle housing'" through a concept they're calling "pattern zoning," which lets property owners download and customize one of four designs—"permit included."

Today, cities across the country are reckoning with the legacy of exclusionary zoning policies as "a tool of racial and socioeconomic exclusion, a relic that must be dismantled." Many have reduced or eliminated single-family zoning requirements in favor of denser development that city leaders hope will ease the affordability crisis faced by many households.

Monday, April 12, 2021 in Slate

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Boston Red Line train with skyline in background.

Massachusetts Budget Helps Close MBTA Budget Gap

The budget signed by Gov. Maura Healey includes $470 million in MBTA funding for the next fiscal year.

15 minutes ago - Smart Cities Dive

View down center of street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee Launches Vision Zero Plan

Seven years after the city signed its Complete Streets Policy, the city is doubling down on its efforts to eliminate traffic deaths.

1 hour ago - Urban Milwaukee

Street with parking protected bike lane and parked cars in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance

The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

July 8 - Willamette Week

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA