YIMBYs

Wood-frame building under construction with robust palm tree in front

Five Years of California’s Landmark Land Use Law, SB 35

It’s been five years since the California Legislature approved Senate Bill 35 to clear hurdles to housing construction. How much of its intentions has the law accomplished, and what should planners look for in the next few years?

August 22, 2023 - Terner Center for Housing Innovation

Crosswalk with pedestrians in front of four-story red brick buildings in New Haven, Connecticut

New Haven Housing Authority Proposes Zoning Reforms, Land Tax

While the Connecticut State Legislature stalls on zoning reform, a local housing authority in the state is recommending an ambitious package of pro-development, supply-side policy changes to mitigate the cost of housing in the state.

July 27, 2023 - New Haven Independent

Several office towers are under construction next to a freeway in Burlingame, California.

Union Shakeup Could Have Implications for California Housing Policy

One of the most powerful opponents to California’s YIMBY legislators, the Trades union of building and construction workers, is under new leadership. Some observers speculate that the change could indicate a new era of development politics.

July 19, 2023 - Politico

Multi-Family Housing

Lack of Multi-Family Zones Contributes to Nashville’s High Housing Costs, Study Says

Nashville and surrounding communities allow for a relatively small amount of multi-family housing, according to a new zoning atlas of Middle Tennessee. A regionally focused nonprofit is using the atlas to push for zoning reforms.

June 6, 2023 - Axios Nashville

Aerial view of gold Colorado state capitol building with green park and city beyond

Upzoning Gutted From Colorado’s Statewide Housing Reform Effort

Colorado’s “More Homes Now” bill has been drastically reduced in scope and ambition, showing the contemporary zoning reform movement still has obstacles to overcome.

April 26, 2023 - The Colorado Sun

Aerial view of Montana state capitol building in Helena, Montana

Montana Passes Sweeping Legislative Package to Rescind ‘California-Style-Zoning’

The Montana State Legislature recently approved a package of zoning reform bills modeled closely on bills approved in West Coast states, including the state of California, in recent years.

April 16, 2023 - Business Insider

Multistory wood frame apartment building under construction against blue sky

Upzoning Modestly Increases Housing Supply and Affordability, Study Says

A new study by researchers at the Urban Institute finds new evidence that upzoning produces housing supply and reduces costs, while downzoning does the opposite.

April 9, 2023 - Urban Institute

Aerial view of gold Colorado state capitol building with green park and city beyond

Colorado Governor Wants to Preempt Local Zoning Control

Colorado could be the latest state, following Oregon and California, to legislate statewide preemption of local zoning codes to allow for more housing development.

March 27, 2023 - CPR News

A broad valley with two tall peaks in the background. In the foregound, but far below the view from the hill where the photo was taken, large freeways are visible.

Infamous 315-Unit Lafayette Housing Development Finally Approved

In a dramatic sign of how far zoning reform has come in the state of California, CEQA wasn’t enough to stop a 315-unit apartment development first proposed 12 years ago in the city of Lafayette.

March 17, 2023 - San Francisco Chronicle

Albany

New York Governor Takes a YIMBY Turn

Governor Kathy Hochul wants to build 800,000 new homes in New York in the next decade.

January 16, 2023 - Governor Kathy Hochul

Multistory wood frame apartment building under construction against blue sky

Congressional Spending Bill Includes First Ever Federal ‘YIMBY’ Grant Program

The $1.7 trillion spending bill approved by Congress earlier in December includes a significant first: $85 million in discretionary grant funding for local governments to remove obstacles to housing development.

December 29, 2022 - Globe St

The Golden Gate bridge viewed from Marin, with cars passing in either direction on a sunny day.

Planning in 2022: Year in Review

A review of the major themes, debates, and events of the year in planning that was 2022 (part one of two).

December 15, 2022 - James Brasuell

California State Capital

California Continues its Housing Policy Reinvention

It’s no longer business as usual in California when it comes to planning and developing housing.

September 22, 2022 - The New York Times

YIMBY

What Is a YIMBY?

YIMBY, an acronym standing for "Yes In My Backyard," describes advocates who support housing development as a response to the outcomes of restrictive zoning and planning policies.

June 29, 2022 - James Brasuell

A map showing Auburn, Maine and surrounding highways and towns.

The Maine City Setting the Gold Standard for Pro-Development Zoning Reforms

Auburn, Maine, a city of 20,000 residents, has plans to add enough housing to increase its population by 25 percent by 2025.

May 23, 2022 - Discourse Magazine

YIMBY

Where Pro-Development Groups Are Gaining Traction

The YIMBY movement seems to be gaining steam as more the country deals with growing housing prices and increasing numbers of people experiencing homelessness. Recent research reveals where pro-development forces are most likely to call home.

April 18, 2022 - Brookings

NIMBY Sign

What Is a NIMBY?

One of the most politically charged and controversial terms in planning, the acronym NIMBY stands for Not In My Back Yard.

March 14, 2022 - James Brasuell

NIMBY Sign

On Housing, Cities' Traditional Political Labels No Longer Apply

Historically liberal cities belie their supposed concern for human welfare by rejecting new development. Meanwhile, more conservative cities have seized the moment to become more progressive, innovative, and inclusive.

December 8, 2021 - California Planning & Development Report

An image of stadium seats at Petco Park in San Diego, with new buildings under construction nearby in the background.

Former San Diego Mayor Leaves Pro-Development Politics Behind for Recall Race

While Mayor of San Diego, Republican Kevin Faulconer made a name for himself as a prominently YIMBY politician. He's abandoned those views now that he's running for Gov. Gavin Newsom's spot in the state's recall race.

August 12, 2021 - Voice of San Diego

Urban Infill

Density Skepticism and Neighborhood Protection

Resistance mounts to the zoning reforms gaining traction in the United States.

April 16, 2021 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.