Debunking the "Slow and Incremental" Myth: The Key to Rapid Housing Growth
Jan 20, 2025
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The common myth that incremental housing development is slow is debunked, revealing that smaller projects can actually enable faster growth. Insights are shared on the power of compounding effects in the housing market, urging a shift from massive developments to more manageable strategies. The conversation draws parallels between parenting and urban development, emphasizing growth challenges. Historical transformations of frontier towns illustrate rapid, incremental change, while community engagement is highlighted as crucial for navigating urban housing challenges.
Incremental housing development can provide faster results than large projects, challenging the belief that it's inherently slow.
Smaller, manageable housing projects, like accessory dwelling units, can significantly boost housing availability without compromising quality.
Engaging with community members on incremental changes can shift NIMBY attitudes towards collaboration, benefiting both residents and neighborhoods.
Deep dives
The Misinterpretation of Incrementalism
The discussion highlights a common misunderstanding regarding the term 'incremental' in the context of housing development. Unlike 'slow,' which implies a sluggish pace, incremental means making small, manageable steps that can lead to significant results over time. The example provided contrasts large development projects, which often face lengthy approval processes and can be slow-moving, with a more dynamic approach that emphasizes smaller, quick changes. Emphasizing the differences between the terminology, it is clear that the Strong Towns philosophy advocates for a method that can be both fast and incremental, challenging conventional perceptions.
The Value of Fast, Incremental Change
A fast, incremental approach to housing is presented as a solution to the ongoing housing crisis by allowing for rapid growth without compromising quality. Examples illustrate how smaller projects, like accessory dwelling units and converted spare bedrooms, can be implemented quickly and lead to substantial increases in housing availability. This contrasts with larger developments that may promise significant output but often result in stagnation due to their complex logistics. The discussion argues that embracing incremental change can make housing solutions more adaptable to community needs while also addressing local opposition.
Compounding Growth in Housing Markets
The concept of compounding is central to understanding how incremental changes can lead to rapid growth in housing availability. Using an analogy, the discussion compares housing development to the exponential increase of a penny doubled daily, emphasizing that small actions can accumulate and create significant impacts over time. This model suggests that, as more units are built incrementally, their collective effect could lead to a surplus that ultimately drives down prices in the housing market. This perspective advocates for a bottom-up approach that encourages numerous smaller projects rather than a focus on large, single developments.
Addressing NIMBYism with Incremental Solutions
The conversation addresses the common perception of NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) attitudes in relation to housing development. Instead of viewing these individuals as adversaries, the approach invites engagement and collaboration by demonstrating how incremental changes can benefit their community. Personal stories highlight the benefits of allowing existing homeowners to create additional units, fostering community ties and enhancing neighborhood dynamics. This method promotes a shift in focus from large projects that can create division to smaller, community-oriented solutions that residents can support.
Maturity and Growth of Urban Spaces
The framework for discussing urban growth reflects the natural maturation processes seen in human development and cities alike. The conversation draws parallels between individual growth stages and the evolution of cities, where both require navigating challenges to progress. By advocating for incremental development, the goal is to create urban environments that are responsive and adaptable rather than rigid and slow-moving. Ultimately, shared experiences and gradual improvements can lead to thriving, mature communities that balance both growth and sustainability.
In this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck discusses the common misbelief that an incremental approach to housing development is inherently slow. He explains how an incremental approach can actually be much faster than focusing on large housing projects, what that means for major cities, and how to make incremental housing more appealing to people who don’t want their neighborhoods to change.
