The Briefing What Zohran Mamdani’s historic win reveals about housing and urban politics
Nov 5, 2025
Andrew Tuck, the Monocle editor focused on urban policy, joins Vincent McAvinney, a political journalist, and Natalie Theodosi, Monocle's fashion director. They discuss the significance of Zohran Mamdani's victory, emphasizing his rent-freeze plan and the pressing housing crisis. Andrew contrasts New York's strategies with models from Vienna and Singapore while exploring the broader implications of affordability beyond housing, like transport and food. The conversation shifts to current affairs, including cyber security threats, before Natalie offers insights into the latest fashion trends and controversies.
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Mamdani's Win Centers On Affordability
- Zohran Mamdani won on a platform centred on affordability and bold municipal interventions.
- Rent controls interact with supply, politics and unintended consequences that shape outcomes citywide.
Rent Control Can Chill Supply
- Rent control can stabilise costs but risks deterring developers and pausing new projects.
- Past examples like Ireland show controls can reduce building activity and create long-term supply issues.
Rent Caps May Lower NIMBY Opposition
- Controlled rents can reduce local NIMBY resistance to new development.
- That dynamic could create political space for building in less premium neighbourhoods.
