Go read Gotham Needs a Master Plan for the 21st Century by Jason M. Barr

Let’s talk about New York City. A city that doesn’t sleep but, judging by its policies, might be perpetually sleepwalking. Since the 90s, we’ve all been playing a charming little game called “Let’s Pretend Rising Housing Prices Are Inevitable.” It’s like the weather—just accept it and complain about it. There’s been a deep mistrust of developers, as if they’re all huddled in some secret room plotting to turn New York into a Monopoly board. The logic goes: leave the market unchecked, and the whole city will get gentrified, driving prices even higher. You can practically hear people whispering, “The rent is too damn high!” like it’s a mantra.

So, what’s the government’s solution? Well, they’ve mashed together a Frankenstein’s monster of housing policies. The pièce de résistance? Rent stabilization. It only makes sense if you believe New York’s housing market is a zero-sum game—like a pie that, if you cut too many pieces, someone’s going hungry. Rent stabilization stays in place as long as the vacancy rate is below 5%. And surprise! It’s always below 5%. Because, you know, stabilization helps keep it that way. It’s like trying to lose weight by eating more doughnuts. Building new homes is like hitting the gym, we avoid it but shouldn’t.

Then, we’ve got the subsidies—those little carrots dangled in front of developers to build affordable units. The lucky few who snag one? Great for them. But the rest of us? Well, good luck out there. The fundamental problem—a huge demand for housing and not nearly enough supply—remains untouched. It’s like trying to fix a leaky pipe with a sponge.

And while we’re at it, New York City is a master at creating obstacles. Not only is rent stabilization a problem, but restrictive zoning laws are like the city’s unofficial hobby. In fact, over two-thirds of residential properties are either maxed out or illegal to expand. So when developers try to create more housing, the city says, “Nope, not here,” and when prices go up, it’s all, “Blame the greedy landlords!” Classic.

Stuck in Traffic

Ah, New York’s roads—built for horse-drawn carriages, now struggling under 19 million people and their love affair with trucks and SUVs. Since the days of Robert Moses, there hasn’t been a major new transit line built in the city. It’s like trying to fit into your high school jeans after 40 years—it’s not going to work. Too many cars, too much free parking, too few roads. Congestion. Frustration. Road rage. Meanwhile, the MTA can’t get suburban commuters back onto the trains.

And don’t even get me started on how disjointed the whole transportation system is. There’s the Port Authority doing its bridge-and-tunnel thing from New Jersey. The Department of Transportation oversees Gotham’s bridges and tunnels. And then the MTA manages subways, buses, and commuter rails. Yet none of them talk to each other. It’s like a bunch of kids trying to build a Lego city but refusing to share pieces.

Climate Change? Bring Your Umbrella

Let’s talk about climate change. It’s not like New York hasn’t noticed the whole “flooding” thing. In 2022, Crain’s ran a story about how the city is now embracing “nature-based climate strategies.” That’s code for, “Let’s hope a few extra wetlands will save us from the next deluge.”

It’s not that bluebelts aren’t a good idea—they are. But it’s like throwing a bucket of water on a house fire. Sure, a wetland here and a seawall there, but where’s the master plan? Where’s the actual thought-out, cohesive strategy that won’t just be about plugging holes until the next disaster?

No, what we have here is a case of doing the bare minimum to avoid political drama. You sneak in a resiliency project where people won’t complain, and boom, problem “solved.” Meanwhile, people are still paying through the nose for housing. It’s almost impressive in its cynicism.

The VEAM Principle (Yes, I Made This Up)

So, what’s the solution? Glad you asked. Enter the VEAM Principle (that’s Value, Externalities, Affordability, and Mobility, in case you were wondering). It’s high time New York updated its thinking. Policies should actually reflect how cities work, not just cater to the most vocal interest groups. So let’s break it down.

V: Value of Land

First up: land. Land values represent geography. Land near parks, subways, or downtown is worth more. Shocker, right? Here’s a radical thought: where land is more valuable, allow more housing. Tall means more housing, short means less housing. Don’t let zoning laws choke the city. If a block near a train station is worth a fortune, don’t force developers to stick to building two-story townhouses. Let them go big.

E: Externalities

We hear this all the time—“But tall buildings cast shadows!” Yeah, and trees drop leaves, but we don’t ban trees. The point is to tax the negative externalities. If you don’t like the shadows, fine, tax them. Or charge extra for height over a certain level. Just don’t punish the entire city by capping development. That’s like banning Taylor Swift shows in larger venues because her concert tickets are expensive.

A: Affordability

Instead of rent stabilization, imagine a world where the city has a 10% vacancy rate naturally. Enough housing, enough choices, and prices won’t be through the roof. The government needs to take a step back, let the market build, and have a little faith in supply and demand. Price controls should be a last resort, not a go-to strategy. Today housing vacancies are under 2%,so rents rise.

M: Mobility

And finally, mobility. You can’t untangle housing from transportation. Build more homes near subways and train lines, because surprise, people like to live where it’s easy to get around. And for the love of all that’s holy, congestion pricing needs to cover the whole city. Not just Manhattan below 59th Street. If cars are clogging up the roads, let’s price that in. The more people take the bus or subway, the better it is for everyone. Just don’t turn “congestion pricing” into another half-baked toll system. No congestion pricing is congestion socialism, and well oops…

The Steps to a Better New York

So, what now? The city needs leadership. Not the kind that slaps a Band-Aid on a bullet wound but someone who actually understands that cities are complex, living systems. New York needs a master plan, and not the kind you write on a cocktail napkin. I’m talking a real plan that tackles zoning, transportation, and climate change together.

Start with a Blue Ribbon Panel of 100 smart people from all walks of life. Get them to hash out a plan that’s fair and doesn’t cater to just one group. Then, for the love of Gotham, sell it to the public. Explain it in a way people can understand—how it makes life better. Because right now, the status quo feels like living in a traffic jam, waiting for the floodwaters to rise.

Jason’s full take is even better: https://buildingtheskyline.org/nyc-master-plan/