However, from a pragmatic standpoint - let's explain how this is being done in practice in Austin Texas and in the State of Texas.
The problem is that there is not enough housing. Granted. This is a problem caused by the lack of monies caused during the various financial runs.
The regulations that are being removed to expedite development include:
- Wildlife-Urban-Interface regulations. Austin is number 5 in the most fuel-laden urban area - the areas in California that burned were 1-4. Removing these regulations, along with supporting infrastructure requirements, makes any fire far more deadly.
- Reduction of building codes. 120' tall building with only one stairwell? That's fine now. ADA compliance? Just lip service.
- Reduction of the limits to of impervious coverage. This is the amount of land that can have hard coverage (ex: concrete, asphalt) that water can not go through. Not only does this mean areas become more prone to flooding, but it also decreases tree cover, which will increase the heat island effects.
- Water quality. The increased water runoff will put more pollutants into the creeks and waterways.
- The rights of the citizens to petition any zoning changes (and I mean any, including those which deal with businesses rather than residential).
Abundance deals with removing regulations to allow developers more ability to build things, but ignores and outright avoids any attempts at social justice. Developers, when given a chance to take a small profit with affordable homes, versus an opportunity to make a bigger profit with more expensive homes, will take the bigger profit every time. And the greatest profit is going to be in the older neighborhoods near downtown. These neighborhoods are often lower-middle class. And it does not matter if they need to sit on the more expensive home a bit longer, they just run it as an Airbnb until they find someone.
The current round of zoning changes is the primary cause of the gentrification of well-established lower-wage blue-collar neighborhoods. Those who did have homes now are in apartments, and those who were in apartments are now pushed farther and farther into the periphery.
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