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Growth vs.

Hyper-Growth

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Dealing with Growth

Some people say I'm "anti-growth".  That isn't true.  All I'm saying is that transport systems have certain capacities which limit growth.  To me that seems like a re-statement of the laws of physics.

If cities could make growth happen every city would grow.  No one can stop growth - the economic forces are too great - but government can screw it up so the resulting city, state, etc. is unpleasant to live in - it becomes a place to work and not a place to live.

So the issue isn't whether we grow or not but how we manage growth for as long as it exists.  My attitude towards growth is that much more nuanced than pro or con.  I don't see myself as anti-growth, but more for a balance in growth.  Some I talk to in positions of authority want to sell off parks and golf courses and put housing on city property to accommodate growth.

Housing Costs

Question 1: Why are housing costs so high? 

Answer: Easy - someone (maybe not you) can afford them.​  If no one could afford the rent or price for housing then the prices would drop until people could afford them.

Q 2: Will building more lower the price?

Answer:  No, because once rents start dropping - even a little - few will want to build more housing units.

If cities could make growth happen every city would grow.  No one can stop growth - the economic forces are too great - but government can screw it up so the resulting city, state, etc. is unpleasant to live in - it becomes a place to work and not a place to live.

So the issue isn't whether we grow or not but how we manage growth for as long as it exists.  My attitude towards growth is that much more nuanced than pro or con.  I don't see myself as anti-growth, but more for a balance in growth.  Some I talk to in positions of authority want to sell off parks and golf courses and put housing on city property to accommodate growth.

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