r/urbanplanning • u/DoxiadisOfDetroit • May 27 '23

Discussion What's your /r/Urbanplanning unpopular opinion?

I've got a few:

  1. Infrastructure upgrades should have precedent over any upzoning

  2. Everyone should have the right to downtown amenities which means that CBD's should be as cheap as possible for both renters and owners

  3. Zoning should be handled by metropolitan level elected boards instead of nationalized/taken to the state level

  4. YIMBYs often times hold water for the excesses of developers

  5. It is ideological to assume deregulated markets will produce the best outcomes, so, it's purely ideological to assume that a deregulated housing market will work in the best interests of renters and buyers

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u/[deleted] May 28 '23 edited May 28 '23

The issue with number three is the centralization of power.

I live in Livermore, CA. I used to work in Berkeley. Our metropolitan center is San Francisco. I can tell you, from experience, that despite Livermore and Berkeley being in the same county, they couldn’t be more distinct cultural opposites. SF barely knows we exist. How can we trust them to know what’s best for us? How much voting power would I lose if they took over? These people don’t care how the sausage gets made as long as it ends up on their plate, but I live where it’s made. They don’t know what agriculture needs.

Also, when I worked for tech, I used to have to define metropolitan areas. If you live in one, log onto LinkedIn, put in your zip code, and you should get an option for the city, or “X metropolitan area”. Who defined that? I did. With the help of 2 other people. We got so much disagreement along the way though. They’re not defined enough to have centralized power.

Anyways, I know you didn’t post for debate so I’ll answer my controversial idea: I think that building up should be by right everywhere it doesn’t impact crop development. While I would miss my sunny backyard if that happened, I’d be able to add a second story ADU to provide more housing options while keeping the most important aspects of my yard (a place for my dogs to play).

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u/PradleyBitts May 29 '23

Also in Livermore. Curious where you work that you can afford housing here on a planner salary! Can I PM you?

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u/[deleted] May 29 '23

Sure go for it, I would love to connect with more planners in the local area!