The hottest Urban Development Substack posts right now

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Development hailed as biggest transformation of town’s centre since ‘great fire’ has likely ‘considerable viability and funding gap’

NN Journal • 238 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. The Greyfriars area in Northampton is set for a big redevelopment, but there are concerns about money to make it happen. A partnership with a regeneration company aims to figure out the costs and plans soon.
  2. This project could create over 7,000 jobs and boost the local economy by one billion pounds, but how to pay for it all is still unclear.
  3. Local leaders are excited about this transformation, viewing it as a chance to fix past development mistakes and improve the town's center significantly.

Rebuilding the American Dream, One Row House at a Time

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 273 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
💼 Business Urban Development
  1. A startup uses a factory assembly-line process to mass-produce houses from prebuilt panels and finished rooms.
  2. Their product is a packable row house that can fit into shipping containers and be assembled onsite, offering more space than an apartment but less than a suburban home.
  3. The company aims to tackle the national housing affordability crisis by providing a scalable, lower-cost path to city homeownership.

How Good Are American Roads?

Construction Physics • 25889 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. US interstate roads are generally in good shape, with over 80% rated as good or very good. However, urban roads are often much worse, with many in poor condition.
  2. While American roads have decent quality, particularly interstates, there is limited data to compare them directly with roads in other countries, making it hard to draw firm conclusions.
  3. Roads in major US cities can be quite bad, especially in places like California, indicating a need for better maintenance and improvement in urban infrastructure.

Model City Monday 2/3/25

Astral Codex Ten • 15417 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. The Honduran Supreme Court has ruled charter cities unconstitutional, impacting Prospera, which is now trying to adapt to regular laws while also pursuing a $10 billion lawsuit for damages.
  2. Saudi Arabia's NEOM project, initially planned as a long linear city, has scaled back to a shorter model, focusing on hosting upcoming major events, showcasing the challenges in large city development.
  3. Trump has proposed creating ten 'freedom cities' on federal land in the U.S., sparking debate about the feasibility and implications of building new cities in less desirable locations.

What It Actually ‘Feels Like’ in DC.

Breaking the News • 3911 implied HN points • 14 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. Washington, D.C. is a real city, not just a political stage. It has vibrant public spaces and a strong community that goes beyond politics.
  2. Crime rates in D.C. have actually been going down, contrary to popular belief. The city is becoming safer and more enjoyable to live in than it was decades ago.
  3. D.C. has seen a lot of improvements over the years, like cleaner parks and better public services. This growth has also created challenges, such as gentrification that displaces some residents.
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The curious case of Qingdao, China's land value tax

Progress and Poverty • 1539 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
💼 Business Urban Development
  1. Qingdao implemented a land value tax that focused on the unimproved value of land, which helped reduce speculation and boost development. This tax system meant that instead of taxing income or trade, the main focus was on land, aiming for a fairer economy.
  2. Despite its successes, Qingdao's regime had significant flaws, including no real democracy and the extraction of natural resources for foreign benefit instead of local empowerment. This shows that good economic policies must also consider fairness and local benefit.
  3. The case of Qingdao teaches us that even a straightforward land value tax can lead to economic growth and success, as long as assessments are frequent and transparent. It highlights the importance of making land accessible and fairly taxed to prevent speculation.

L.A. Was Built to Burn

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4363 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Urban Development
  1. Los Angeles is built in a way that fire is part of its natural environment. This means wildfires will keep happening regardless of who is in charge.
  2. The area has a history of being described as a grassland, not a desert, and fires are a normal part of this ecosystem.
  3. Some experts believe that certain areas in L.A. should never have been developed because they are prone to burning, making homes there very risky.

Prepare for the Era of the Shy NIMBY

Freddie deBoer • 2011 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. NIMBYs, or 'Not In My Backyard' people, often get less media attention than YIMBYs, who support building more homes. This can make it hard for their concerns about housing and community rights to be heard.
  2. Many people quietly hold NIMBY views but don’t speak up due to social pressure. This could be similar to the shy Trump voters — they might vote for policies that protect their interests even if they don't openly discuss it.
  3. To make progress on housing issues, it's important to find common ground with NIMBYs. Understanding their worries can help foster cooperation and lead to better solutions for everyone.

How Baltimore Assessments Accidentally Subsidize Blight—And How We Can Fix It

Progress and Poverty • 1347 implied HN points • 06 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. Baltimore's vacant lots are undervalued, leading to a loss of nearly half a billion dollars. This makes it cheaper for landowners to keep their property vacant, which encourages blight and hinders development.
  2. The current property assessment system is flawed, treating land value inconsistently. This means owners of vacant lots benefit financially while active developers face higher taxes.
  3. A better way to value land is needed, using recent sales data to create fair assessments. Improving data collection can help the city support development and make neighborhoods safer and more appealing.

Build Baby Build (Near Train Stations)

Odds and Ends of History • 402 implied HN points • 24 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. People have interesting opinions about research and development. It's important to know how they feel to guide future projects.
  2. The government is making changes to allow more buildings near train stations. They want to make it easier for development to happen without unnecessary delays.
  3. There's a need for the government to share data better. Improving how they use and share information can lead to better decisions.

Housing Roundup #12

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1478 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. Small wins in housing reform are happening across the U.S., creating some optimism for the future. Even if some local policies aren't ideal, the overall trend seems to be moving in a positive direction.
  2. The concept of 'affordable housing' can sometimes complicate progress. It's important that the focus remains on building more housing overall, rather than getting stuck in bureaucratic definitions that might not help those who need it most.
  3. Changes in rules, like allowing buildings with single staircases or reducing parking requirements, can greatly improve housing availability. Legislative shifts in states like California and Texas show that reforming outdated policies can help meet housing demand.

☀️ A California dream that should come true

Faster, Please! • 365 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. Neom, the ambitious megacity in Saudi Arabia, is facing serious financial and engineering challenges, leading many to doubt its feasibility. What was once a grand vision is now more about managing expectations as costs spiral out of control.
  2. California Forever aims to build a new city for 400,000 people and shift its focus from just housing to creating jobs and workforce opportunities. This approach could make the project more appealing and practical for future residents and investors.
  3. The project must navigate a complicated political and regulatory process to succeed. Delays caused by environmental reviews and local governance could hinder its progress, showing that growth initiatives often struggle in California's bureaucratic landscape.

Supply has to be ridiculously low to create our peculiar affordability problem.

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 948 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. The housing supply is extremely low, which is the main reason for the affordability problem. If there were more homes built, prices would likely stabilize.
  2. Existing homes are losing value over time, and it's important to keep investing in them. Otherwise, as the market conditions change, families may have to settle for worse living situations.
  3. Intense demand for housing is causing land prices to inflate, making it harder for lower-income families to afford homes. Building more homes can help decrease this pressure on land prices.

How To Collect The Lost Churches Of London

Londonist: Time Machine • 359 implied HN points • 15 May 24
💾 History Urban Development
  1. The Lost London Churches project offers 110 collectable cards depicting City of London churches, encouraging exploration of historic buildings and supporting maintenance through donations.
  2. Collectors can visit surviving churches to pick up packs of five random church cards for free, promoting a sense of discovery and community engagement.
  3. In addition to the cards, a Collector's Booklet provides detailed information about the churches and includes a beautifully reworked version of the 1677 Ogilby and Morgan map, offering a rich experience for London history enthusiasts.

Is Canada Mending the Housing Market?

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 231 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. Canada has been improving its housing construction policies, especially for apartments. Now, they're building apartments at a much higher rate than the U.S., which could help address their housing issues.
  2. Successful housing solutions in Canada and Australia focus more on building the right types of homes in urban areas instead of just increasing total construction. This could also be key for improving affordability.
  3. There are concerns about large investors buying up housing in Canada, but the scale is much smaller than in the U.S. It looks like Canada might be facing some similar challenges as the U.S. with rental market pressures.

Berkeley's Evolution On Housing

The Discourse Lounge • 1557 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. Berkeley has shifted from being anti-housing to supporting more development. This change started with more people believing that building homes can help fix the housing crisis.
  2. The recent elections showed that urbanist candidates, who want to build more housing, are becoming popular. Voters are now more open to ideas like upzoning and building densely, which wasn't the case a decade ago.
  3. There's a new agreement among city leaders about the need for more housing, shifting away from anti-urban policies. This consensus is important because it allows the city to focus on other issues instead of constantly debating housing.

Prostitution, Defecation, Meth Smoke: Welcome to San Francisco's Marshall Elementary School

KERFUFFLE • 125 implied HN points • 13 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. Students at Marshall Elementary are facing dangerous conditions daily, like drug smoke and violence, making their walk to school unsafe.
  2. Local residents are concerned that the new apartment building for formerly homeless individuals will worsen the existing problems in their neighborhood.
  3. There is a broader issue of social equity in San Francisco, where some neighborhoods bear the burden of housing and social services while wealthier areas remain untouched.

How Environmentalism Works in California

The Discourse Lounge • 379 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Urban Development
  1. California's environmental regulations are changing quickly but have a complex history that shapes their current form. Understanding this history helps explain why these rules exist today.
  2. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was recently reformed, and there is a misunderstanding about how environmental protections are applied in California. They're now managed more broadly instead of on a project-by-project basis.
  3. There's a generational divide in the environmental movement, with different views coming from new climate science and earlier beliefs about growth and sustainability in cities.

More housing supply shouldn't bring prices down.

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 273 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. Adding more homes doesn't always mean lower prices. Sometimes prices stay steady or even go up despite new construction.
  2. In cities where housing supply is slow to change, rents can increase even when there are more homes being built. This may look confusing but reflects local demand and growth rates.
  3. To really lower rent costs, cities need a lot more new homes. It could take over a million extra units each year to stop rent from rising.

Next Stop for S(ubstack)-Bahn

S(ubstack)-Bahn • 281 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
🏝 Travel Urban Development
  1. Traveling to Japan and South Korea gave me a deeper understanding of their transit systems. I got to experience firsthand how these systems work and the improvements they've made over the years.
  2. Writing about transit has helped bring together my thoughts and experiences into a clearer perspective. It’s rewarding to see how my research connects with real-life situations.
  3. I'm looking for ways to collaborate with others on transit topics, and I'm also seeking an editor to improve my posts. I appreciate everyone who reads and supports my work!

7 Charts Show the Housing Tipping Point Has Arrived

The New Urban Order • 199 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
💼 Business Urban Development
  1. There is a significant increase in multifamily housing supply, signaling a potential tipping point in the housing industry.
  2. Cities like Minneapolis that have increased housing supply are seeing a decrease in rent prices, showcasing the impact of supply and demand in the housing market.
  3. The increase in housing supply across the U.S. is leading to declines in rent prices in many major markets, demonstrating the effectiveness of increasing supply to address housing affordability.

As Wild as It Gets

Passing Time • 200 implied HN points • 13 Aug 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Urban Development
  1. Wilderness is something that can diminish but not expand. Once it's used or developed, there's no way to create new areas of true wilderness like before.
  2. The idea that the world moves from wild to civilized makes us rethink our understanding of nature and urban spaces. Sometimes, even developed places can be more natural than they were before.
  3. Aldo Leopold's views highlight the importance of preserving nature. We need to value untouched places even while recognizing that development is always happening around us.

No, everyone isn't going to move to New York City

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 252 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. Fixing land use rules and mortgage financing could lead to a significant increase in housing construction. This could help reduce rising rents in major cities.
  2. There is a shortage of homes in popular cities like New York and San Francisco, but building more homes won’t necessarily mean a huge influx of new residents. Many displaced families would return instead.
  3. The claim that everyone wants to move to big cities is overstated. Many people who would prefer to live in those areas are already there or have been forced to leave due to affordability issues.

Insuring Progress

Model Thinking • 259 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
💼 Business Urban Development
  1. Replacing process-based regulations with outcome-based regulations can help boost British growth in sectors like childcare, energy, and housing
  2. Introducing Mandatory Insurance Schemes in sectors with low-probability, high-downside events can incentivize safety compliance and ensure victims get compensated
  3. Outcome-based regulations can lead to cost-effective safety procedures, technological innovation, and more resilient policy reforms, thereby helping Britain move forward in various industries

A non-emergency podcast about the climate emergency

Odds and Ends of History • 201 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Urban Development
  1. The government may be making mistakes with its Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which could impact housing and environmental policies. It's important to pay attention to these changes and their consequences.
  2. Declaring a 'climate emergency' means little if no real actions are taken to address it. It's not just about saying the words; effective measures are required.
  3. A new fund has been created to help with housing in London, emphasizing the need to meet housing targets and the debate around the green belt. Conversations around these issues are crucial for future planning.

Something interesting is happening in Tulsa

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 2611 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Urban Development
  1. Tulsa, Oklahoma is experiencing positive transformations due to the efforts of wealthy individuals and community foundations.
  2. The Tulsa Tomorrow program aims to attract young Jewish individuals to Tulsa by offering job opportunities, social events, and resources to fulfill their dreams.
  3. Wealthy individuals in Tulsa have made significant investments to improve the city, showing visible impact in contrast to certain bureaucratic challenges faced by other cities.

Market Segmentation in Housing

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 210 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. Many low-rent apartments are disappearing, as more new buildings are made for high rents rather than affordable options. This means that people are paying more for the same places they used to afford.
  2. Market segmentation in housing is changing. When there's a shortage of affordable homes, families in lower-income units feel pressure to pay more or move, making it hard to find stable housing.
  3. To fix housing costs, building more high-rent apartments might actually help keep people in their current homes, instead of forcing them to downgrade to cheaper places. We need more options for everyone.

Streamlining Housing Permitting in Arizona

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 42 implied HN points • 04 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. Arizona needs to simplify its housing permitting processes to build more homes faster. Doing this would help meet the growing demand for housing and keep prices more affordable.
  2. Many local governments in Arizona hinder the construction of new homes, especially multi-family units. This has contributed to rising home prices over the past decade.
  3. The challenges Arizona faces with housing development are similar to those in other areas. The solutions proposed for Arizona could be helpful for improving housing issues in many other places as well.

No, this isn't normal

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 463 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. Many people argue that housing costs have always been high, but this isn't accurate. In the past, housing prices were much more stable compared to the rapid increases we've seen in the last few decades.
  2. High housing costs today are not just due to demand. There's a complex web of factors that includes limited housing supply and economic changes, which makes it harder for people, especially those with lower incomes, to afford homes.
  3. The impact of rising rent prices isn't felt equally. While wealthier areas may see rents that align with income growth, poorer communities face much higher rent increases, making it challenging for families to maintain their living situations.

When Fill Fails

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 319 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Urban Development
  1. Urban infrastructure, like the Light Rail tracks, can suffer from problems due to unstable ground and filling materials. Over time, these materials can sink or degrade, causing issues.
  2. Seattle's tideflats were completely filled by the 1920s to create new land, but this fill was often not properly stabilized. This can lead to things like subsidence during events like earthquakes.
  3. Sound Transit had extensive knowledge of the fill conditions before building the Light Rail but still faces criticism for the ongoing issues. People expect more from transit authorities regarding infrastructure stability.

Make Office Buildings Fun Again

The New Urban Order • 279 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
💼 Business Urban Development
  1. Converting office buildings into co-living spaces can help address social challenges like loneliness and offer more housing options.
  2. Co-living is a shared living model that emphasizes intentional community through communal spaces and activities.
  3. Co-living has the potential to be a source of affordable housing, cater to different demographics like seniors and digital nomads, and could be aligned with co-working spaces for a more integrated urban living experience.

Should Cities Buy Office Buildings?

The New Urban Order • 119 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
💼 Business Urban Development
  1. Experienced investors are seizing the opportunity to acquire distressed office buildings due to significant investment momentum and low prices.
  2. Cities are offering incentives like tax abatements and low-interest loans to encourage the purchase and conversion of office buildings into residential spaces.
  3. Cities could benefit by investing in distressed office buildings themselves to shape the future of their urban landscapes and prevent missed opportunities, similar to what happened after the Great Financial Crisis.

Jabs for the rich, moralising for the poor

Odds and Ends of History • 134 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. We need to talk about fairness in healthcare, especially when it comes to rich people getting better access to treatments than poorer people. It feels unfair when the rules seem to change based on your income.
  2. The government's new app may seem simple, but it's a big step in changing how the British state works. This could mean more digital services in the future.
  3. There's a problem with how we build and supply housing in cities. Finding ways to fix these bottlenecks is important for making sure everyone has a place to live.

Mapping Landscape Change

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 279 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
💾 History Urban Development
  1. Maps of Lake Union show how it has changed over time, reflecting both natural and human impacts. This gives us a glimpse into the area's history and development.
  2. The lake was named during an important picnic in 1854, where ideas about transportation and community connections were discussed. This moment highlights how people shape places.
  3. By the mid-20th century, Lake Union had become industrialized, illustrating the balance between nature and urban growth. It makes us wonder how it will look in the future.

The death of a pub: Rochester Castle, N16

The Leftovers • 119 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Urban Development
  1. Pubs are important social spaces that foster community, diversity, and human connection. The disappearance of pubs in London reflects a broader issue of losing social spaces in cities.
  2. The Rochester Castle, despite being a Wetherspoon, has historical significance and unique charm that has made it a cherished gathering place for diverse locals.
  3. The potential sale of the Rochester Castle threatens to displace many regulars, including vulnerable groups like pensioners, highlighting the negative impact of commercial decisions on community interaction and well-being.

Cuomo is the candidate of NIMBYs and developers. What gives?

Urben Field Notes • 135 implied HN points • 19 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. In New York City's mayoral race, the candidates are showing strange alliances, with some supporting both NIMBY homeowners and developers. This shows how housing issues don't fit neatly into political boxes.
  2. Cuomo has gained support from both sides by promising to protect certain neighborhoods while also getting backing from big developers. This reflects the ongoing struggle in housing politics that often benefits established interests over new ideas.
  3. Many candidates are pushing for more balanced housing policies that would allow development across a wider range of neighborhoods. However, real change will require serious planning and effort to create affordable housing options.

Long-Term Trends in Homes and Households

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 105 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Development
  1. The housing market is facing a demand for new homes estimated between 15 to 20 million units to return to previous trends. This means we need to build more homes each year to keep up with the demand.
  2. Vacancy rates are a key indicator of the housing market's health, showing how many homes are currently empty. An increase in vacancies suggests changes in how many homes we have available compared to the number of people needing them.
  3. As more rental units are being built, the homeownership rate is decreasing. This trend may lead to more discussions about who is buying homes and whether we should limit rental housing to help families become homeowners.