An argument that operational urban planning can be improved by the application of the tools of urban economics to the design of regulations and infrastructure. Urban planning is a craft learned through practice. Planners make rapid decisions that have an immediate impact on the ground—the width of streets, the minimum size of land parcels, the heights of buildings. The language they use to describe their objectives is qualitative—“sustainable,” “livable,” “resilient”—often with no link to measurable outcomes. Urban economics, on the other hand, is a quantitative science, based on theories, models, and empirical evidence largely developed in academic settings. In this book, the eminent urban planner Alain Bertaud argues that applying the theories of urban economics to the practice of urban planning would greatly improve both the productivity of cities and the welfare of urban citizens. Bertaud explains that markets provide the indispensable mechanism for cities’ development. He cites the experience of cities without markets for land or labor in pre-reform China and Russia; this “urban planners’ dream” created inefficiencies and waste. Drawing on five decades of urban planning experience in forty cities around the world, Bertaud links cities’ productivity to the size of their labor markets; argues that the design of infrastructure and markets can complement each other; examines the spatial distribution of land prices and densities; stresses the importance of mobility and affordability; and critiques the land use regulations in a number of cities that aim at redesigning existing cities instead of just trying to alleviate clear negative externalities. Bertaud concludes by describing the new role that joint teams of urban planners and economists could play to improve the way cities are managed.

"Zoning has for a century enabled cities to chart their own course. It is a useful and popular institution, enabling homeowners to protect their main investment and provide safe neighborhoods. As home values have soared in recent years, however, this protection has accelerated to the degree that new housing development has become unreasonably difficult and costly. The widespread Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) syndrome is driven by voters’ excessive concern about their home values and creates barriers to growth that reach beyond individual communities. The barriers contribute to suburban sprawl, entrench income and racial segregation, retard regional immigration to the most productive cities, add to national wealth inequality, and slow the growth of the American economy. Some state, federal, and judicial interventions to control local zoning have done more harm than good. More effective approaches would moderate voters’ demand for local-land use regulation—by, for example, curtailing federal tax subsidies to owner-occupied housing"--Publisher's description.

Discover the Revolutionary Home Trend: The Comprehensive Guide to Building Your Dream Barndominium Embark on an enlightening journey into the heart of modern living with "The Barndominium Boom: Everything You Need to Know Before You Build." This meticulously crafted guide offers a deep dive into the captivating world of Barndominiums, a trend that has captivated the imagination of homeowners and dreamers alike. If you've ever fantasized about crafting a space that uniquely blends rustic charm with modern elegance, this book is your gateway to making that dream a tangible reality. Capture the Essence of Barndominium Living: Begin your exploration with a foundational understanding of what Barndominiums are and why they've surged in popularity. Discover the soul-stirring advantages of choosing this lifestyle, from sprawling open-floor plans to unparalleled cost efficiencies. Yet, the pathway to paradise comes with its hurdles. Familiarize yourself with the pitfalls that await unwary builders, steering your dream project clear of common mistakes. Master the Art of Planning and Building: Venture beyond the basics into the nuts and bolts of bringing a Barndominium to life. Whether you're mapping out a cozy 2000 sq ft abode or envisioning a majestic 6000 sq ft sanctuary, gain invaluable insights into cost estimation, design, and construction. Learn how to navigate legal landscapes, secure permits, and craft a floor plan that sings to your soul. Personalize Your Creation: Unleash your inner designer with chapters dedicated to interior and exterior customization. Transform your Barndominium into a reflection of your personal style and lifestyle needs. Then, ensure its longevity with expert advice on routine maintenance and long-term care. With "The Barndominium Boom: Everything You Need to Know Before You Build," not only will you be equipped with the knowledge to oversee your building project, but you'll also join a community of pioneers redefining the essence of home. Transform your vision into reality and your house into a home that resonates with the melody of modern rustic living.

Sex is big business, and the Internet is making it bigger. This report is a practical guide to the regulation of lawful sex business and businesses handling significant quantities of sexually oriented materials. Such business include: adult cabarets and other establishments with sexually oriented live entertainment; adult movie theaters; adult book stores; adult video stores; sex shops; peep shows, often call video arcades; mainstream video stores with back rooms with sexually oriented material; newstands with back rooms of sexually oriented materials; and more. The report examines what constitutes a lawful sex business; First Amendement issues related to the regulation of sexually oriented businesses; land-use issues and adult uses; and operating issues related to sex businesses. Finally, the report suggests ways to structure an effective regulatory program, providing a checklist so that local communities can build an ordinance to suit their particular circumstances.

What if scrapping one flawed policy could bring US cities closer to addressing debilitating housing shortages, stunted growth and innovation, persistent racial and economic segregation, and car-dependent development? It’s time for America to move beyond zoning, argues city planner M. Nolan Gray in Arbitrary Lines: How Zoning Broke the American City and How to Fix It. With lively explanations and stories, Gray shows why zoning abolition is a necessary—if not sufficient—condition for building more affordable, vibrant, equitable, and sustainable cities. The arbitrary lines of zoning maps across the country have come to dictate where Americans may live and work, forcing cities into a pattern of growth that is segregated and sprawling. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way. Reform is in the air, with cities and states across the country critically reevaluating zoning. In cities as diverse as Minneapolis, Fayetteville, and Hartford, the key pillars of zoning are under fire, with apartment bans being scrapped, minimum lot sizes dropping, and off-street parking requirements disappearing altogether. Some American cities—including Houston, America’s fourth-largest city—already make land-use planning work without zoning. In Arbitrary Lines, Gray lays the groundwork for this ambitious cause by clearing up common confusions and myths about how American cities regulate growth and examining the major contemporary critiques of zoning. Gray sets out some of the efforts currently underway to reform zoning and charts how land-use regulation might work in the post-zoning American city. Despite mounting interest, no single book has pulled these threads together for a popular audience. In Arbitrary Lines, Gray fills this gap by showing how zoning has failed to address even our most basic concerns about urban growth over the past century, and how we can think about a new way of planning a more affordable, prosperous, equitable, and sustainable American city.

More personal finance than home improvement, this book will teach readers the art of finding the right kinds of homes to purchase; how to determine what kinds of repairs will translate into high returns; how to work with contractors or subcontractors to get the work done; and how to sell properties for a profit.

Who doesn't love a great kiss? Whether it's your very first smooch or your umpteenth, whether it's a quick peck or a long, lingering kiss you wish would never end, nothing beats a sensational smooch. And everyone has a favorite kissing story, a favorite movie kiss, a kiss they wish had never happened, and a kiss they long for so much they can almost taste it. In short, every kiss is cause for celebration.