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My suspicion is that this might end up like more/wider streets and highways: You built it => it will be filled to capacity asap and there is no difference in th

My suspicion is that this might end up like more/wider streets and highways: You built it => it will be filled to capacity asap and there is no difference in the end, only more of the same (literally). Of course, this won't happen to infinity but far enough. In the end the area is just too attractive, combined with the industries there generate a lot of money.

throwaway0a5e 5y ago
> it will be filled to capacity asap and there is no difference in the end The difference is VOLUME House prices or commute times may only fall by the slimmest of margins but the number of people who have access to whatever the resource is at the same price point will be increased.
lotsofpulp 5y ago
Yes, if SF/Bay Area is just that unique and that much more attractive to people than elsewhere, then the only solution would be to make another SF/Bay Area.
- selectodude 5y ago
  Didn’t you know the demand to live in the Bay Area is literally infinite and they could build 7 billion apartment units and the prices would continue to rise? It’s truly a special place.
seoaeu 5y ago
This is called induced demand. Evidence suggests that for housing increasing supply doesn't cause demand to rise as quickly[0][1][2]. [0]: https://www.planetizen.com/news/2019/06/104783-doubt-cast-induced-demand-housing https://www.planetizen.com/news/2019/06/104783-doubt-cast-in... [1]: https://cityobservatory.org/another-housing-myth-debunked-neighborhood-price-effects-of-new-apartments/ https://cityobservatory.org/another-housing-myth-debunked-ne... [2]: https://www.slowboring.com/p/induced-demand https://www.slowboring.com/p/induced-demand
closeparen 5y ago
1) A neighborhood with a lot more people in it has important qualitative differences compared to a sprawl suburb. It can be safe, pleasant, and interesting to walk around. It can support local retail and entertainment which do not require driving to access. It can support fast and frequent transit connections to the broader metro. It can support more variation in the age, life situation, and wealth of the households who live there. This is a far cry from “more of the same.” 2) The problem we’re trying to solve here is that the people who would fill those new units to capacity are instead locked (or pushed) out. Of course if that problem is solved they will instead be here. That’s the whole point of making anything cheaper or more abundant. So that more people can enjoy it.

throwaway0a5e 5y ago

> it will be filled to capacity asap and there is no difference in the end The difference is VOLUME House prices or commute times may only fall by the slimmest of margins but the number of people who have access to whatever the resource is at the same price point will be increased.

lotsofpulp 5y ago

Yes, if SF/Bay Area is just that unique and that much more attractive to people than elsewhere, then the only solution would be to make another SF/Bay Area.

selectodude 5y ago
Didn’t you know the demand to live in the Bay Area is literally infinite and they could build 7 billion apartment units and the prices would continue to rise? It’s truly a special place.

seoaeu 5y ago

This is called induced demand. Evidence suggests that for housing increasing supply doesn't cause demand to rise as quickly[0][1][2]. [0]: https://www.planetizen.com/news/2019/06/104783-doubt-cast-induced-demand-housing https://www.planetizen.com/news/2019/06/104783-doubt-cast-in... [1]: https://cityobservatory.org/another-housing-myth-debunked-neighborhood-price-effects-of-new-apartments/ https://cityobservatory.org/another-housing-myth-debunked-ne... [2]: https://www.slowboring.com/p/induced-demand https://www.slowboring.com/p/induced-demand

closeparen 5y ago

1) A neighborhood with a lot more people in it has important qualitative differences compared to a sprawl suburb. It can be safe, pleasant, and interesting to walk around. It can support local retail and entertainment which do not require driving to access. It can support fast and frequent transit connections to the broader metro. It can support more variation in the age, life situation, and wealth of the households who live there. This is a far cry from “more of the same.” 2) The problem we’re trying to solve here is that the people who would fill those new units to capacity are instead locked (or pushed) out. Of course if that problem is solved they will instead be here. That’s the whole point of making anything cheaper or more abundant. So that more people can enjoy it.