Urban villages are a nice concept and they offer a doable, gradual way to upzone American cities along existing arterials. I've been a big fan of them on paper.

Urban villages are a nice concept and they offer a doable, gradual way to upzone American cities along existing arterials. I've been a big fan of them on paper. The problem is often the implementation. Urban village zoning can place tough restrictions on market-rate development (they usually have carve-outs for BMR or affordable housing with fewer requirements) which discourage development. Urban villages aren't immune from NIMBY pressure either, especially if they're being built in an area that was previously only zoned for commercial or light industrial uses. [1] talks about San Jose's urban villages which are often built in formerly light industrial zones and some of the issues with getting them off the ground. It's a shame because I feel like urban villages satisfy the need for upzoning in a way that doesn't completely jar the urban fabric of an area. [1]: https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/09/13/why-some-say-san-joses-urban-village-strategy-for-growth-is-driving-development-away/ https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/09/13/why-some-say-san-jose...