Cities Shape Through Policy and Planning

Cities are shaped significantly by policies and planning strategies, with historical policies like redlining influencing the built environment by restricting mortgage access in certain neighborhoods. Transportation planning plays a crucial role, as the placement of freeways and train lines determines residential patterns. Additionally, the clustering of businesses and amenities reflects the desire for convenience among consumers, creating specific neighborhood dynamics. A noteworthy yet often overlooked factor is the discontinuity in construction costs, which complicates building variations in height as one moves away from city centers. This results in patterns where certain building heights are overrepresented while others, like mid-rise buildings, are underrepresented. For instance, cities like Los Angeles exhibit a prevalence of seven-story buildings and tall towers, but a scarcity of buildings in the eight to fifteen story range, challenging conventional models of urban development.