Matthew Yglesias diagnoses a common predicament facing many urban communities: the fear that improving living conditions is a bad thing.
Spurred by reports of a recent debate over the impacts of development in D.C. that discussed opposition to the larger, amorphous effect of a project (such as increased home values in the surrounding area), rather than the merits of a particular project, Yglesias laments the influence on urban politics of such a position (which he labels "gentrificationphobia").
"'Your policies will improve quality of life in my community' should
never be a complaint about a policy initiative," says Yglesias. "And ultimately there's
no way to build a better society based on fear of improved living
conditions."
He argues that "[t]he fact that these fears exist and have some rational basis
is a great example of the deep problems induced by undersupply of urban
housing. Not only is it bad for affordability, but it creates a
perverse political economy in which people worry that improved
conditions will be deleterious to their personal living standards. If
your city's politics is dominated by gentrificationphobia it becomes
very difficult to make progress on any other concrete problem."
FULL STORY: Gentrificationphobia
A Theory of Gentrification—And Where It Goes Wrong
Does gentrification always follow massive disinvestment?
High Housing Costs Driving Down Transit Ridership in LA
When neighborhoods gentrify and displace lower-income residents, transit ridership suffers, new research shows.
‘Displaced By Design:’ Report Spotlights Gentrification in Black Neighborhoods
A new report finds that roughly 15 percent of U.S. neighborhoods have been impacted by housing cost increases and displacement.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)