IN THE NEWS: Goodspeed quoted in Vox article on the future of housing and planning

Taubman College’s Robert Goodspeed, associate professor of urban and regional planning, was quoted in a recent Vox article on the U.S. housing crisis. The article, by Marina Bolotnikov, examines how America’s long-standing development model centered on single-family zoning, suburban expansion, and car-oriented infrastructure has contributed to housing scarcity and affordability challenges.

While the article discusses recent zoning reforms advanced by the “yes-in-my-backyard” movement, it emphasizes that deregulation alone will not produce well-designed, livable communities. Goodspeed argues that urban planning remains essential.

“I think that the YIMBY movement has completely missed the importance of planning,” Goodspeed said. “Even if we repealed all zoning, it still doesn’t realize a well-designed, well-planned community that has high quality of life.” 

The article suggests that future housing reform will require not only allowing more homes to be built, but also strengthening the role of planners in shaping streets, transit, parks, infrastructure, and public spaces. In this view, planners must move beyond zoning enforcement to help create more connected, affordable, and livable communities.

Read the full article at Vox. (Registration or a paid subscription may be required for full access.)