The Bottom-Up Revolution
The Bottom-Up Revolution
Strong Towns
Why Changing Zoning Laws Isn't Enough
49 minutes Posted Oct 22, 2026 at 10:00 am.
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Show notes
Massachusetts needs more housing, but getting permission to build it can take years, even when the zoning allows it. Housing advocate and researcher Jonathan Berk examined six projects for his report, Delayed by Design, to understand why so many housing developments struggle to move forward. He found that lengthy permitting processes can saddle developers with costly requirements and years of uncertainty, making even modest projects difficult to pursue. Even if Massachusetts succeeds in reforming its zoning laws, Berk's findings suggest that the permitting system could prevent much of that housing from ever being built.
ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES
Jonathan Berk (LinkedIn)
re:MAIN (Site)
Delayed By Design Report(Site)
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Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram)
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