In most of the U.S., cities are for singles, roommates, and childless couples, and the suburbs are for raising kids. That’s not true of much of the rest of the world, and perhaps the nearest example of family-friendly urbanism can be found just a few miles to the north, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Vancouver’s under-15 population fell by one percent citywide between 1996 and 2016, but in downtown specifically, its youth population nearly tripled. Louis Thomas, lecturer at Georgetown University and a parent himself, joins us this week to discuss the history, policies, and social infrastructure that have enabled this incredible shift, and how those lessons might translate to other cities and urban cores across North America.Show notes:Thomas, L. L. (2021). Committed and “Won Over” Parents in Vancouver’s Dense Family-Oriented Urbanism. Journal of the American Planning Association, 87(2), 239-253.Karsten, L. (2015). Middle-class childhood and parenting culture in high-rise Hong Kong: On scheduled lives, the school trap and a new urban idyll. Children’s Geographies, 13(5), 556-570.Karsten, L. (2015). Middle-class households with children on vertical family living in Hong Kong. Habitat International, 47, 241-247.Yuen, B., Yeh, A., Appold, S. J., Earl, G., Ting, J., & Kurnianingrum Kwee, L. (2006). High-rise living in Singapore public housing. Urban Studies, 43(3), 583-600.Thomas, L. L. (2020). From childless tower to child-full density: families and the evolution of vancouverism. Planning Perspectives, 1-23.Ley, D. (1980). Liberal ideology and the postindustrial city. Annals of the Association of American geographers, 70(2), 238-258.City of Vancouver Planning Department. (1978). Housing Families at High Densities.Fishman, R. (2008). Bourgeois utopias: The rise and fall of suburbia. Basic books.

Simon Büchler, an Assistant Professor of Finance, and Elena Lutz, a Ph.D. candidate in Urban Planning, delve into the long-term effects of upzoning in Zurich. They discuss how relaxing land-use regulations increased housing supply by 9% without a significant rise in rents. Their research highlights the complexities of zoning reform and its impact on affordability while addressing concerns like gentrification. The guests also explore the challenges posed by large upzonings and the concept of 'bindingness' in regulations, providing valuable insights for other urban areas grappling with similar issues.

What happens to housing quality and affordability when any proposed development can be vetoed? Can the public sector reliably deliver most of the housing that people need? If it can, should it? Ant Breach shares insights from the Centre for Cities’ report on the United Kingdom’s homebuilding crisis.Show notes:Watling, S., & Breach, A. (2023). The housebuilding crisis: The UK’s 4 million missing homes. Center for Cities.Watling, S. (2023). Why Britain doesn’t build. Works In Progress.Episode 59 of UCLA Housing Voice with Paavo and Mike M., on the costs of discretionary housing approvals.

Eleanor West, a research associate at the University of Auckland Economic Policy Centre, shares her expertise on New Zealand's ambitious zoning reforms. She delves into the political, social, and economic factors enabling these changes, particularly in Auckland. The podcast highlights lessons from New Zealand's unique approach to urban planning, contrasting it with U.S. policies. West discusses the balance between livability and density, nonpartisan collaboration for reform, and Auckland's potential as a global model for effective housing solutions.

Inclusionary zoning policies are commonly used to produce affordable housing and “social mix” in the U.S., but what about in Europe, where public housing and strong social welfare programs have historically met those needs? Anna Granath Hansson shares research on emerging inclusionary housing policies in the Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.Show notes:Granath Hansson, A., Sørensen, J., Nordahl, B. I., & Tophøj Sørensen, M. (2024). Contrasting inclusionary housing initiatives in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway: how the past shapes the present. Housing Studies, 1-22.Previous episodes on inclusionary housing/inclusionary zoning:Episode 77: Upzoning With Strings Attached with Jacob Krimmel and Maxence ValentinEpisode 31: Inclusionary Zoning with Emily HamiltonEpisode 79: Who Pays For Inclusionary Zoning with Shane PhillipsMore information on the EU court case about Denmark’s “ghetto law.”Sightline article on Portland’s fully-funded affordability mandate.

Shane Phillips, a housing policy expert from UCLA, is joined by Mike Lenz, a former public policy professor at USC. They dive deep into the complexities of inclusionary zoning (IZ) in Los Angeles, challenging conventional beliefs about who bears its costs. Rather than developers, they argue all renters share the burden. Insights from a development simulator reveal potential impacts on housing production. The duo also reflects on the nuances of research data and the need for localized policy changes to truly address the affordable housing crisis.

Emily Hamilton, a researcher from the Mercatus Center, dives deep into inclusionary zoning and its effects on affordable housing. She discusses how inclusionary zoning aims to integrate neighborhoods but ironically depends on exclusionary zoning's existence. The conversation highlights challenges in addressing racial and income segregation while evaluating the effectiveness of such policies in cities like D.C. and Baltimore. Hamilton critiques reliance on private solutions for housing and proposes rethinking current strategies to enhance community benefits.

Evan Mast, a researcher focused on the impact of market-rate housing on low-income markets, shares his insights on neighborhood dynamics. He discusses how new developments can ease rent pressures, challenging the notion that they always lead to gentrification. The conversation dives into migration patterns, highlighting how new housing can lead to lower rents elsewhere. Mast emphasizes the importance of accurate rent data and the nuanced effects of these developments on local communities, urging policymakers to consider context in housing initiatives.

Anthony Orlando, a researcher specializing in building height and urban construction expenses, dives into the intricacies of housing affordability. He explains why taller buildings don’t necessarily lead to lower costs and highlights the crucial thresholds where expenses spike. Orlando also discusses the significance of regional building codes and the challenges developers face in multifamily construction. He underscores the need for a shift in urban investment strategies to effectively tackle modern housing issues, showcasing Seattle as a compelling case study.

Jacob Krimmel, a zoning researcher, and economist Maxence Valentin dive into the complexities of upzoning and its effects on affordable housing. They discuss Seattle's Mandatory Housing Affordability program, revealing unintended consequences like rising land values and imbalanced community benefits. The pair highlights the 'grand bargain' concept, emphasizing the need for collaborative housing policies that align developer incentives with public needs. With insights from urban planning, they illustrate the delicate balance required in navigating the dynamics of housing reform.