Works in Progress Podcast Treating cost disease with Congressman Jake Auchincloss
Oct 24, 2025
Congressman Jake Auchincloss, a U.S. Representative focused on economic growth and urban policy, joins to explore building new cities in America. He shares insights on treating 'cost disease' and why local politics often hinder housing development. Jake advocates for innovative transit solutions and discusses the importance of a master plan for cities. He critiques immigration policies and suggests a balanced approach, while also pushing for bold biomedical R&D initiatives, including a national moonshot to cure Alzheimer's.
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New Cities Unlock Multiple Benefits
- Building new cities renews affordability, agglomeration and experimentation.
- New planned cities can be car-free and boost innovation and public health.
Fix Zoning And Permits Near Transit
- Reform zoning near transit and ease permitting like single-stair rules to unlock missing-middle housing.
- Remove parking minimums and expand ADUs to lower construction costs and increase supply.
Use State Power To De-Risk New Cities
- Use state-level zoning and de-risk initial infrastructure to crowd in private capital for new developments.
- Pair a master vision with private mixed-use development to ensure walkability and coherence.
