Published: 2018 | Edward Glaeser, Joseph Gyourko | The Journal of Economic Prespectives Abstract In this essay, we review the basic economics of housing supply and the functioning of US housing markets to better understand the distribution of home prices,…
Local Housing Politicies Across California
Published: 2018 | Sarah Mawhorter and Carolina Reid | Terner Center for Housing Innovation Abstract In order to better understand how local policies affect housing supply, the Terner Center conducted a residential land use survey in California from August 2017…
Examining the Local Land Use Entitlement Process in California to Inform Policy and Process
Published: 2018 | Moira O’Neill, Giulia Gualco-Nelson, Eric Biber Abstract As California’s housing affordability crisis persists, an important question raised is: What laws or regulations might impede housing construction in high-cost areas? To help answer this question, we focused on…
City NIMBYs
Published: 2018 | Vicki Been | Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law Abstract This article published in the Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law explores the growing trend of opposition to development in cities. It describes the academic…
Carbon Footprint Planning: Quantifying Local and State Mitigation Opportunities for 700 California Cities
Published: 2018 | Christopher M. Jones, Stephen M. Wheeler, and Daniel M. Kammen | Cogitatio Urban Planning Abstract Consumption-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventories have emerged to describe full life cycle contributions of households to climate change at country, state…
Beyond the Double Veto: Land Use Plans as Preemptive Intergovernmental Contracts
Published: 2018 | Christopher S. Elmendorf | UC Davis Legal Studies Research Paper Series Abstract The problem of local-government barriers to housing supply is finally enjoying its moment in the sun. For decades, the states did little to remedy this…
NLC Preemption Report
Published: 2017 | National League of Cities Abstract Preemption is the use of state law to nullify a municipal ordinance or authority. Proponents of preemption argue that it equalizes laws across the state, preventing individuals and firms from navigating a…
Motivations for Growth Revolts: Discretion and Pretext as Sources of Development Conflict
Published: 2017 | Michael Manville | City & Community Abstract This article suggests that “ballot box growth revolts”—instances where citizens use direct democracy to curb development—may be caused by local governments’ use of discretionary development approvals. We further suggest that…
Housing Development Toolkit
Published: 2016 | Obama Administration Abstract Over the past three decades, local barriers to housing development have intensified, particularly in the high-growth metropolitan areas increasingly fueling the national economy. The accumulation of such barriers – including zoning, other land use…
Planning an Affordable City
Published: 2015 | Roderick M. Hills, Jr. David Schleicher | Yale Law & Economics Review Abstract In many of the biggest and richest cities in America, there is a housing affordability crisis. Housing prices in these cities have appreciated well…