Houston's No-Zoning Policy: Freedom or Chaos?

[@1FlyingSolo1]

So ironic that the least regulated city in the country happens also to be one of the most affordable. Whereas heavily regulated cities like NYC and San Francisco are among the most expensive in the nation. Fascinating that letting the market decide leads naturally to a good supply mix and lower pricing overall. Too bad that city governments of the Northeast can't see this cause and effect relationship at play in our Southern metros.

[@jus3278]

Houston got it right.

[@Earth098]

1) What is the boundary they considered for the housing affordability analysis. For example it's wrong to compare the city center of city A with the entire metropolitan area of city B. Given that Houston is a very sprawling city, their city boundary is very large, and includes suburban type neighborhoods far away from the jobs centers. 2) The problem is NOT zoning, but the nature of zoning. If you study German city zoning system it's clear how good zoning can be very effective.

[@georgerogers1166]

Metro vs Metro. Counties in Texas have no zoning authority and most of Houston outside city limits are unincorporated areas of Harris and the collar counties.

[@usernameryan5982]

German cities are insanely unaffordable.

[@maxwalker1159]

Fascinating

[@berlin1926]

For some clues, we should look at a time when designers, architects and landscape architects designed cities. Planners have ruined American cities, towns and landscapes

[@phillies26]

I would put more of the blame on engineers. It’s probably a little of both.