Urban Economics
Cities are dynamic centers of exchange, innovation, and economic growth, providing the platform where people, ideas, and capital come together. However, the regulations that limit urban development reduce the potential for income mobility and rising standards of living over time. Mercatus research shows how land-use policy reform can reverse the stagnation in our cities and address the systemic problem of housing affordability.
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Latest Work in Urban Economics
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Why We Need To Achieve Housing Abundance | Discourse
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Announcement Announcement
Acclaimed urbanist Alain Bertaud joins Mercatus Center’s Urbanity Project
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
State Policymakers' Role in Protecting the Right to Build Housing in Montana
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Housing Reform in Montana | KBUL-AM’s “Montana Talks”
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Light-Touch Density and New Hampshire’s Role in Zoning
New Hampshire House of Representatives, Municipal and County Government Committee
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Last Utopia: The 15-Minute City | Urban Reform Institute
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Housing Revolution Brewing in 2023 | The Hill
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Are the New Carbon Footprint Maps Accurate? | Market Urbanism
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Research Papers Research Papers
Reassessing the Role of Supply and Demand on Housing Bubble Prices
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Working Papers Working Papers
Understanding Tokyo's Land Use: The Power of Microspaces
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Forgotten Neighborhood | The Dispatch
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Working Papers Working Papers
The Impact of Land Use Regulation on Racial Segregation: Evidence from Massachusetts Zoning Borders
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Working Papers Working Papers
Single-Family Zoning and Race: Evidence from the Twin Cities
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
New Research Shows How Zoning Slows Racial Integration
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Improving Opportunities for Multifamily Housing in Virginia
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Zoning Reform Backfires | EconLib
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Regulations Are the Main Cause of Inadequate Housing Supply and Rising Rents in Texas
Texas Senate Committee on Local Government
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Rent Control is How the Rich Outbid Less-affluent People for Valuable Land | Market Urbanism
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Inclusionary Zoning and Its Exclusionary Effects | Urbanize Los Angeles’ "Cityspeak"
Latest Work in Urban Economics
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Why We Need To Achieve Housing Abundance | Discourse
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Announcement Announcement
Acclaimed urbanist Alain Bertaud joins Mercatus Center’s Urbanity Project
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
State Policymakers' Role in Protecting the Right to Build Housing in Montana
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Housing Reform in Montana | KBUL-AM’s “Montana Talks”
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Light-Touch Density and New Hampshire’s Role in Zoning
New Hampshire House of Representatives, Municipal and County Government Committee
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Last Utopia: The 15-Minute City | Urban Reform Institute
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Housing Revolution Brewing in 2023 | The Hill
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Are the New Carbon Footprint Maps Accurate? | Market Urbanism
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Research Papers Research Papers
Reassessing the Role of Supply and Demand on Housing Bubble Prices
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Working Papers Working Papers
Understanding Tokyo's Land Use: The Power of Microspaces
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Forgotten Neighborhood | The Dispatch
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Working Papers Working Papers
The Impact of Land Use Regulation on Racial Segregation: Evidence from Massachusetts Zoning Borders
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Working Papers Working Papers
Single-Family Zoning and Race: Evidence from the Twin Cities
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
New Research Shows How Zoning Slows Racial Integration
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Improving Opportunities for Multifamily Housing in Virginia
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Zoning Reform Backfires | EconLib
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Regulations Are the Main Cause of Inadequate Housing Supply and Rising Rents in Texas
Texas Senate Committee on Local Government
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Rent Control is How the Rich Outbid Less-affluent People for Valuable Land | Market Urbanism
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Inclusionary Zoning and Its Exclusionary Effects | Urbanize Los Angeles’ "Cityspeak"
Latest Work in Urban Economics
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Journal Articles Journal Articles
Inclusionary Zoning and Housing Market Outcomes
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Research Papers Research Papers
Build More Houses
How an Incorrect Perception of Housing Supply Fueled the Great Recession and Slowed Recovery
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Working Papers Working Papers
Legislative Exits From the Land Use Labyrinth
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Ordinances at Work: Seven Communities That Welcome Accessory Dwelling Units
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Inclusionary Zoning Hurts More Than It Helps
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Setting Community Development Priorities in Maine

- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Analyzing the Unfunded Pension Risk of Local Governments
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Assigned and Unassigned General Fund Balances before the Pandemic
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Liberalizing Land Use Regulations: The Case of Houston

- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Working Papers Working Papers
The Politics of Redevelopment Planning in Tysons and Outcomes 10 Years Later
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Policies to Help Communities Recover: Economic Uncertainty
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Policies to Help Communities Recover: Housing Restrictions
- | Academic & Student Programs Academic & Student Programs
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Policies to Help Communities Recover: Commuting
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
When the Moratorium Expires: Three Quick Steps to Reduce Eviction
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Research Papers Research Papers
New Urban Econ Research Shows the Macroeconomic Benefits of Big Cities
Latest Work in Urban Economics
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Ideas of India Ideas of India
Ideas of India: Urban Economics and Policy in India
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Ideas of India Ideas of India
Ideas of India: Slum Residents Demanding Development
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Alain Bertaud on Cities, Markets, and People | Conversations with Tyler
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Land Use Regulations, the Rise of NIMBYism, and Options for Reform
A Macro Musings Transcript

- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Alain Bertaud on Cities, Planning, and Order Without Design | EconTalk
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Emily Hamilton on BBC Radio News
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
Making the Housing Market More Resilient for Homeowners, Neighborhoods, and the Economy

- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Were We All Wrong about the Great Recession?
A Macro Musings Transcript

- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
Kevin Erdmann on C-SPAN's Washington Journal
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Kevin Erdmann on WINA Radio's "The Schilling Show"
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
Making State and Local Policy Work for the New Wave of Transportation Innovation

- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Mercatus Policy Download Mercatus Policy Download
How Healthy Are Your State's Finances?

- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Sports Stadiums: Economic Development or Corporate Welfare?

- | Corporate Welfare Corporate Welfare
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
Michael Farren on C-SPAN's Washington Journal
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
Here's to Dynamic American Cities!

- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
Federal Tax Reform's Effects on States

- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Eileen Norcross on WV Metro News
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Mercatus Original Video Mercatus Original Video
Webinar | Ranking the States by Fiscal Condition 2017
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Eileen Norcross on WGMD (Delaware)
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
Eileen Norcross Discusses Ranking the States by Fiscal Condition on C-SPAN

Latest Work in Urban Economics
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Protecting Property Owners and Housing Affordability
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Implementing a Bold Comprehensive Plan
Auburn Planning Board
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Prince William County's Comprehensive Plan Should Welcome Accessory Dwelling Units
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Light-Touch Density and the State’s Role in Zoning
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
State Preemption and Multifamily Housing
Massachusetts General Court, Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses Matters Pertaining to Zoning and Housing
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Four Benefits of Limiting Minimum Lot Sizes
Testimony before the New Hampshire House of Representatives, Municipal and County Government Committee
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
HUD Can Use Housing Market Data to Inform Fair Housing Accountability
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Allowing Missing Middle Development Would Contribute to Housing Affordability in Nebraska
Testimony before the Nebraska Legislature, Urban Affairs Committee
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Preempting Bans on Duplexes Can Improve Housing Affordability through Property Rights
Testimony before the Virginia House of Delegates, Counties, Cities, and Towns Committee, Land Use Subcommittee
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Allowing Accessory Dwelling Units Would Contribute to Housing Affordability in Virginia
Testimony before the Virginia House of Delegates, Counties, Cities, and Towns Committee, Land Use Subcommittee
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Fewer Restrictions on Lending Can Make Housing More Affordable
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Housing Affordability Is Attainable through Regulatory Reform
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
HUD Does Not Need to Target Opportunity Zones
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
Expanding Housing Opportunity in an Environment of Exclusionary Regulation
Testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Embracing Innovation in Micromobility Transportation
Testimony before the Maryland House Committee on Environment and Transportation
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Colorado Occupational Licensing: Barriers to Opportunity in the Centennial State
Testimony before the Colorado House Committee on Business Affairs and Labor
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Creating the Opportunity for Contestable Advice
Testimony before the Oklahoma State Senate Committee on Rules
- | Academic & Student Programs Academic & Student Programs
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Conditioning HUD Grants on Housing Market Outcomes Furthers Fair Housing
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
The Failure of Georgia’s Certificate-Of-Need Laws
Testimony before the Georgia House of Representatives Rural Development Council
- | Academic & Student Programs Academic & Student Programs
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Zoning and Land Use Regulations Make Housing Less Affordable
Letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development
Latest Work in Urban Economics
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
What Critics of Diversifying Arlington’s Housing get Wrong | The Washington Post
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Abolish Zoning–All of It | Reason
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Colorado Moves the Ball on Housing Affordability Reform—Will Other States Pick It Up?
How the Centennial State’s encouraging new policy works and why other states can build off of it to lower their own housing costs.

- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Unpacking Emergent Tokyo with author Jorge Almazán | Market Urbanism
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Housing Costs in Michigan Are Skyrocketing. Is There Hope on the Horizon? | The Detroit News
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
To Fix Its Housing Crisis, California Must Unleash the Duplex | Bloomberg CityLab
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Case Studies on Smart Zoning Reforms, Part Four: Removing Parking Requirements in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo illustrates how removing minimum parking requirements can increase housing availability, optimize land use, and make walkable development possible.

- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Case Studies on Smart Zoning Reforms, Part Three: Tysons, Virginia’s Transit-Friendly Development
Fairfax County, VA. policymakers set out to permit more high-rise multifamily housing on what was formerly land zoned only for commercial uses -- and it’s paying off.

- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Case Studies on Smart Zoning Reforms, Part Two: Portland, Oregon’s Accessory Dwelling Units
Portland, Oregon is an instructive example of how smart reform to accessory dwelling unit construction can increase housing availability, provide greater lifestyle flexibility, and reduce the environmental impact of home construction.

- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Light Touch Density: A Series of Policy Briefs on Zoning, Land Use, and a Solution to the Nation’s Housing Shortage
Published by the American Enterprise Institute

- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
How Cities Can Solve Their Office Crisis and Housing Affordability in One Go
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Reconciliation Bill’s “Zoning Reform” Provision Is Empty Spending

- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Cities Need a Building Boom To Avoid a Housing Bubble
We need to let housing construction be cyclical again and should embrace more lenient urban land use administration. Some cities are considering this now.
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
How Policymakers Can Improve Housing Affordability
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Sprawl Made Los Angeles’ Pandemic Problem Worse, Not Better
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Bootlegger and Baptist Coalition to Restrict Urban Growth
Moralistic preservationists and environmentalists join hands with financially self-interested property owners.
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Has COVID led to “urban flight?”
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Townscaper: The Anti-SimCity
A new addition to the city-building game genre comes close to capturing how cities emerged for much of human history.
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
How a Tysons Task Force Built a Road Map for Redevelopment
- | Urban Economics Urban Economics
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary