Because the quote I want to use is from a comment on Lisa Hymas’ post at Grist.org that is way down toward the bottom, and because I mainly want to respond to that comment, I will quote it here in […]
Urbanism
Agriculture in the ‘burbs and exurbs’
Looks like the plummeting housing market has given a new lease of life to agriculture in the ‘burbs and exurbs.’ Related: “U.S. Farmers Reclaim Land From Developers,” by Robbie Whelan at The Wall Street Journal
The Suburban Paradox
The attached article criticizes the effect of ‘greenbelts’ in Britain, and calls for ‘green patches’ instead of ‘green belts.’ The paradox is that a lot of what people move out to the suburbs for is precisely what these anti-suburban NIMBYs […]
‘The End’ of Redevelopment Agencies
The best news of a rather dreary year. Redevelopment has done a few good things, like gaslamps, but they could as easily be done through Business Improvement Districts or the city treasuries, which are more directly accountable to the electorate. […]
Will Riverside, Fresno, and Bakersfield Become Civilized?
Joel Kotkin and William Frey, in an article written before the crash, speculate that as Coastal California prices itself out of the market, Inland California may become a more civilized and upscale region. In fact, the crash and the wave […]
Suburbs Up, Exurbs Down: California in 2010-11
I had the fortune recently to stumble on the California Department of Finance’s estimates of population change in California during the period July 1, 2010 – July 1- 2011. This is distinct from the Federal census, which tried to establish […]
‘Smart Growth’ or Housing Opportunity
John Crawford, of Sierra Madre, misunderstands the proper purpose of SB 375. Yes, it is a form of social engineering, but so are the existing policies in those towns forbidding high density housing. Yes, it is mistaken if it is trying […]
A $300 Idea That is Priceless
$300 for the house, and, here in California, $1,999,700 for the land it occupies. There’s the real problem. Related: “A $300 idea that is priceless” by The Economist
Will Riverside, Fresno, and Bakersfield Become Civilized?
Joel Kotkin and William Frey, in their article “The Third California,” speculate that as Coastal California prices itself out of the market, Inland California may become a more civilized and upscale region. In fact, the crash and the wave of foreclosures hit […]
Somebody Must Like Irvine
Jerry Sullivan in Irvine, By Design points out that Irvine is not that different from what the hipster gentrifiers of places like Echo Park would do if they had full control! I need to correct an error. Don Bren does […]