America's big cities are turning into housing catastrophes. If we want to fix this mess, we should try and copy Tokyo.

[bnew]

https://archive.is/mLWY4

snippet:

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today unveiled recommendations from a city-led task force to facilitate the conversion of underused office space into new housing for New Yorkers. Crafted by the Office Adaptive Reuse Task Force, and led by New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) Director Dan Garodnick, the New York City Office Adaptive Reuse Study presents 11 concrete recommendations that would make changes to state laws and city zoning requirements in an effort to extend the most flexible conversion regulations to an additional 136 million square feet of office space — roughly the amount of office space in the entire city of Philadelphia. While property owners will make determinations whether to convert their buildings, with these recommendations in place and current city and state regulations, office conversions could potentially create as many as 20,000 homes in the next decade, enough to house up to 40,000 New Yorkers.

“With this study, we have a roadmap to deliver on a vision for a more vibrant, resilient, prosperous, and affordable city,” said Mayor Adams. “The need for housing is desperate, and the opportunity offered by underused office space is clear — we know what we need to do. These concrete reforms would clear red tape and create the incentives to create the housing we need for New Yorkers at all income levels. I want to thank the members of the task force for helping to chart the course, and I look forward to working with them and our partners in city and state government to deliver these much-needed reforms.”

“Enabling more offices to convert to housing will help us bring back our commercial districts while also addressing our housing supply crisis,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “The recommendations in this report will set us on the path to achieving these critical goals, and I look forward to partnering with our colleagues in Albany and the City Council to ‘Get Stuff Built.’”

The study outlines a path forward to deliver on goals outlined in “‘New’ New York: Making New York Work for Everyone,” an action plan released in December by Mayor Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul — including reimagining the city’s commercial districts as vibrant 24/7 destinations, making Midtown Manhattan and other business districts more mixed-use and flexible, and expanding the city’s supply of housing. It also builds on Mayor Adams’ “Get Stuff Built,” “City of Yes,” and “Housing Our Neighbors” plans, which include significant steps to tackle the city’s severe housing shortage. Increasing opportunities to repurpose underused office space for housing and other uses is critical to achieving those goals.

“After every crisis, New York City reinvents itself, which is why it is so important for our codes and regulations to stay flexible. The Office Adaptive Reuse Task Force recommendations will help us meet the moment and rise to each new challenge with a built environment that is as dynamic and diverse as New Yorkers themselves,” said Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz. “To solve our housing shortage, we need every tool possible. Our administration’s housing blueprint, Housing Our Neighbors, calls for leveraging zoning to encourage more affordable and supportive housing citywide, helping families access new neighborhoods with amenities, jobs, and schools close by, which every New Yorker deserves.”

“Our ability to remain a global leader in a rapidly evolving and changing economy will depend on our ability to adapt,” said DCP Director and City Planning Commission Chair Garodnick. “Working closely with the City Council and our colleagues in Albany, we will build clear rules and set this city up for success.”

 

[88m3]

Isn't Tokyo paying people to move to the countryside?

 

[O.Red]

In the south there is regulation for minimum parking requirements. I've met entrepreneurs that wouldn't set up a micro brewery in Dallas proper because of the regulations and minimum parking requirements. Houston has promoted density by talking away minimum parking requirements in certain older parts of the city

I never knew this until now but it explains why parking is such a nightmare in Houston

 

[bnew]

Isn't Tokyo paying people to move to the countryside?

yeah thats because so many people want to live in the city, the government needs to invest in the local community either through community centers or subsidizing the creation of local businesses because just paying someone to live in the middle of nowhere ain't gonna cut it.

 

[bnew]

I never knew this until now but it explains why parking is such a nightmare in Houston

https://archive.is/o4l7F

 

[KFBF]

Theres a lot of YIMBY activism and support now in cities so we might see meaningful change soon.

I can't speak to LA as it's been year's since I lived in either place. But in San Diego for every one yimby there are 5-6 nimby’s crying about quality of life, sightlines, and parking.

for all the YIMBY's out here, they don't outnumber the NIMBYs

Precisely.

 

[mastermind]

Just saw this story on my TL

 

[Unemployed GM]

The US will just put up more and more apartments and houses right on top of each other and still charge 2000/month to rent them. shyt's pure greed after a certain point.

And won’t maintain them either.

 

[bnew]

 

[Gritsngravy]

I can't speak to the Bay Area or LA as it's been year's since I lived in either place. But in San Diego for every one yimby there are 5-6 nimby’s crying about quality of life, sightlines, and parking.

Precisely.

What is yimby and nimby?

 

[bnew]

What is yimby and nimby?

Yes In My Backyard

Not In My Backyard

 

[KFBF]

What is yimby and nimby?

Yes In My Backyard

Not In My Backyard

 

[Bboystyle]

I've always wonder if the government can put housing prices at a federal level or is it a state thing?

 

[bnew]

https://archive.is/mLqYn

 

[YvrzTrvly]

I'll never afford a home.until my parents pass unfortunately