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> These days, in many places, there are exactly two practical options for construction: detached single-family homes, and massive complexes. I really think thi
by RestlessMind 4y ago
> These days, in many places, there are exactly two practical options for construction: detached single-family homes, and massive complexes.
I really think this is over-simpifying. That take might explain SF, but what about all other places across the world with housing crises - London, Sydney, Toronto, Vancouver, Lisbon, Austin, Denver, NYC....
- zamfi 4y agoNYC is the only city on your list that isn’t absolutely dominated by single family homes. What they all have in common are strong zoning and neighborhood preservation laws that prevent density growth. NYC has its own special problems, but also prohibits density increases (read about “air rights”).
- RestlessMind 4y agoI have visited every single city I listed and I can assure you that a lot of those had more options than "detached single-family homes" or "massive complexes".
- zamfi 4y agoOf course they do, but very few have been built since zoning really took off in the 1970s. It's been noted many times that a large fraction of buildings in many cities could not be built today, because they violate zoning.