The idea that limiting sprawl leads to a scarcity of homes and increased home prices just doesn't hold up, according to new research from California State University at Sacramento.
"Our evidence shows that greater centralization in an urban area results in a reduced proportion of upper-priced homes in that urban area and a lower median priced house for the entire area," said Robert Wassmer, one of the report's co-authors.
From the abstract: "This paper examines the relationship between various quantitative measures of urban centralization and urban housing prices through the use of a 2000 data set from the 452 Census designated urbanized areas in the United States. An empirical study of this type is necessary because: (1) the theoretical influence of creating more centralized urban areas â€" or what many would consider less “sprawl†â€" on what people pay for housing is indeterminate, (2) now popular “Smart Growth†policies advocate more centralized urban areas, and (3) some have argued that a cost of this centralization is an increase in the price of homes.
After controlling for differences across United States urbanized areas in residents’ economic status and demographics, number and type of households, climate, household growth, non-residential land uses, and the structural characteristics of houses; we find that a more centralized urban urbanized area exhibits a lower median home value and percentage of homes in an upper end price category. Therefore we offer no evidence to support the contention that a successful effort to further centralize an urban area raises the price of homes in that urban area."
[Editor's note: The link below is to a 100kb PDF.]
Thanks to Ashwani Vasishth
FULL STORY: Does a More Centralized Urban Form Raise Housing Prices?
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie