Some Impressions from YIMBYtown
The movement is taking some victory laps
This year’s YIMBYtown took place just days after the passage of SB79, a California bill that will enable more housing in transit-oriented development throughout the state. It’s a great example of what the YIMBY movement is fighting for – big legislative wins that make it easier to build housing and beat back the inertia of the development status quo.
The thrill of this chase was palpable at the YIMBYtown conference. As presenters spoke of their victories — upzoning midtown Manhattan! Upzoning Cambridge, Mass!— it felt like it was only a matter of time until the laws preventing housing in every city, and many states, would eventually fall. Amidst a thoroughly depressing political moment, it was rejuvenating to hear from people succeeding in positively transforming their cities.
I also enjoyed the setting in New Haven. This building in the photo below sat between downtown and the train station. New Haven seems primed to follow in the footsteps of other metro area cities with great transportation connections, like New Rochelle. I’m excited to come back when this $316 million, 470-unit, mixed-use development at Union Station is built.
I’ve enjoyed reading some other recaps of the event, such as
’s “Are YIMBYs Normalizing Fascism?”, ’s “Live from YIMBYtown” and ’s “Desegregate Connecticut,” and I would appreciate reading others you may find. Share them in the comments!It was also fun to meet a lot of other Substackers at the conference.
OK without further ado, some impressions from the conference: