Myths To Live By: The Jobs-Housing Balance

Is it rational to try to improve the jobs-housing balance in urban areas or should people, not plans, decide where people live and work? (Link corrected.)

1 minute read

February 3, 2003, 6:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Few articles of faith are more fundamental to the curriculum of urban planning seminaries than the jobs-housing balance. It is based on the view that development patterns in the 20th century created an artificial separation between jobs and residences that has unnecessarily lengthened commute distances, travel times, while intensifying traffic congestion and air pollution. The seemingly rational response is to plan urban areas so that jobs are closer to employment. But seemingly rational isn't enough."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Sunday, February 2, 2003 in Planetizen

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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

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