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How cities can drive opportunity for the bulk of their citizens
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Urban Reform Institute is a 501c3 Non-Profit organization
that exists to promote approaches that enable cities to
drive opportunity for the bulk of their citizens.
College Graduates Concentrated in Suburbs, Highest Educational Attainment in CBDS
in Economics, Education, Housing/by Wendell Coxby Wendell Cox — The nation’s high-density central business districts of the major metropolitan areas have the largest shares of adults over the age of 25 with bachelor’s degrees or higher, consistent with popular perception. However, such a small percentage of people live in central business districts, that most bachelors degree and higher adults live in the suburbs.
Killing the California Dream
in Economics, Housing, Urban Issues/by Randal O’Tooleby Randal O’ Toole — Californians need to give up on their dream of a “ranch-house lifestyle” and an “ample backyard” and the state should become “more like New York City,” writes LA Times columnist George Skelton. After reading his article, the Antiplanner has just one question: Why?
The End of Aspiration
in Demographics, Housing/by Joel Kotkinby Joel Kotkin — Since the end of the Second World War, middle- and working-class people across the Western world have sought out—and, more often than not, achieved—their aspiration. These usually included a stable income, a home, a family, and the prospect of a comfortable retirement.
Economics Needed for People-Based Urban Planning: Alain Bertaud Book Review
in Planning, Reviews/by Wendell CoxBook Review by Wendell Cox — Alain Bertaud’s new book, Order without Design: How Markets Shape Cities (MIT Press), is particularly timely, because of the rising concern about the challenges facing middle-income households.
The Cure for Inequality is More Laissez-Faire
in Economics/by Sami J. Karamby Sami J. Karam — “Inequality is not necessarily bad in itself: the key question is to decide whether it is justified.” states Thomas Piketty. If some inequality is desirable, how much is enough and how much is too much? And who gets to decide?
Los Angeles Rail: Ridership Decline Estimated at 42 Percent
in Urban Issues/by Wendell Coxby Wendell Cox — The Reason Foundation has just published an important review of transit in Los Angeles County, finding that building the rail (and fixed busway) system has cost considerably more than anticipated while the revenue from the multiple sales taxes passed by voters has fallen short of projections.
Anti-“Sprawl” Bay Area Leads Expanding Metropolitan Regions
in Demographics, Housing, Planning, Suburbs, Urban Issues/by Wendell Coxby Wendell Cox — This article examines metropolitan regions based on Office of Budget & Management boundaries. It illustrates that, despite the desires of planners and environmentalists to limit “sprawl”, labor markets continue to expand their footprint, particularly in the most regulated regions such as the Bay Area.
Where Millennials Really Go For Jobs
in Demographics, Economics, Small Cities, Urban Issues/by Joel Kotkin and Wendell Coxby Joel Kotkin and Wendell Cox — Contrary to media hype, young workers aren’t flocking to “superstar” cities. In fact, a new Brookings study shows millennials are moving away from metros with dense big cities.
Restoring the California Dream, Not Nailing It’s Coffin
in Housing, Politics & Policy/by Joel Kotkin and Wendell Coxby Joel Kotkin and Wendell Cox — Virtually everyone, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, is aware of the severity of California’s housing crisis. The bad news is that most proposals floating in Sacramento are likely to do very little to address our housing shortage.
15th Annual Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey: 2019
in Demographics, Housing, Urban Issues/by COUby Wendell Cox — The 15th Annual Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey covers 309 metropolitan housing markets (metropolitan areas) in eight countries, rating middle-income housing affordabiliyy.