Benjamin Schneider
@benschneider.bsky.social
Journalist covering housing, transit and rail. Writing in CityLab, Fast Company and on Substack.
"The Unfinished Metropolis" out now: https://shorturl.at/PInVb
"The Unfinished Metropolis" out now: https://shorturl.at/PInVb
Pinned
The Unfinished Metropolis: Igniting the City-Building Revolution
www.amazon.com
American cities have stagnated. Residential neighborhoods, transportation systems, and commercial districts have changed little in 50+ years.
My new book, "The Unfinished Metropolis," explores how that happened — and how to fix it.
Preorder now: shorturl.at/PInVb
My new book, "The Unfinished Metropolis," explores how that happened — and how to fix it.
Preorder now: shorturl.at/PInVb
Come join me and @egoldwyn.bsky.social for a conversation about transit history and innovation next Wednesday 12/3 at 11am in downtown Brooklyn.
Should be a rollicking good time.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Should be a rollicking good time.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
The Unfinished Metropolis event with Ben Schneider at 370 Jay Street room 1201
Join us at NYU Marron
docs.google.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Come join me and @egoldwyn.bsky.social for a conversation about transit history and innovation next Wednesday 12/3 at 11am in downtown Brooklyn.
Should be a rollicking good time.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Should be a rollicking good time.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Building codes have always balanced safety and affordability. A new book traces the history of these codes from the Chicago fire to the emergence of 5-over-1s in Seattle.
It's worth revisiting at a time when building codes are more contested than ever.
www.archpaper.com/2025/11/the-...
It's worth revisiting at a time when building codes are more contested than ever.
www.archpaper.com/2025/11/the-...
www.archpaper.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Building codes have always balanced safety and affordability. A new book traces the history of these codes from the Chicago fire to the emergence of 5-over-1s in Seattle.
It's worth revisiting at a time when building codes are more contested than ever.
www.archpaper.com/2025/11/the-...
It's worth revisiting at a time when building codes are more contested than ever.
www.archpaper.com/2025/11/the-...
Reposted by Benjamin Schneider
The #UCLAHousingVoice incentives series continues with @benschneider.bsky.social for a conversation about the unintended consequences of ratcheting up building standards.
Full ep. below:
www.lewis.ucla.edu/2025/11/19/1...
Full ep. below:
www.lewis.ucla.edu/2025/11/19/1...
November 19, 2025 at 11:04 PM
The #UCLAHousingVoice incentives series continues with @benschneider.bsky.social for a conversation about the unintended consequences of ratcheting up building standards.
Full ep. below:
www.lewis.ucla.edu/2025/11/19/1...
Full ep. below:
www.lewis.ucla.edu/2025/11/19/1...
Really enjoyed this conversation. We trace how 19th century tenement laws laid the groundwork for today's housing crisis.
Hopefully it offers some historical perspective on the work of building code reformers like @stephenjacobsmith.com + @holz-bau.bsky.social.
www.lewis.ucla.edu/2025/11/19/1...
Hopefully it offers some historical perspective on the work of building code reformers like @stephenjacobsmith.com + @holz-bau.bsky.social.
www.lewis.ucla.edu/2025/11/19/1...
Episode 102: Minimum Standards vs. Affordability with Benjamin Schneider (Incentives Series pt. 5)
We’ve been grappling with trade-offs between stricter building codes and declining affordability for over 100 years. Benjamin Schneider helps us trace the history.
www.lewis.ucla.edu
November 19, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Really enjoyed this conversation. We trace how 19th century tenement laws laid the groundwork for today's housing crisis.
Hopefully it offers some historical perspective on the work of building code reformers like @stephenjacobsmith.com + @holz-bau.bsky.social.
www.lewis.ucla.edu/2025/11/19/1...
Hopefully it offers some historical perspective on the work of building code reformers like @stephenjacobsmith.com + @holz-bau.bsky.social.
www.lewis.ucla.edu/2025/11/19/1...
Over the last two weeks, a developer has proposed 3 massive grocery store redevelopment projects in San Francisco that would produce around 2,700 new homes.
They're all in neighborhoods that have seen little housing construction in recent years.
www.sfchronicle.com/realestate/a...
They're all in neighborhoods that have seen little housing construction in recent years.
www.sfchronicle.com/realestate/a...
Exclusive: Affluent S.F. neighborhood targeted as developer plans to turn Safeways into housing
A developer’s ongoing plan to build housing at San Francisco Safeway sites now includes adding 370 homes and a new enlarged grocery store in an affluent district where property values have soared.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Over the last two weeks, a developer has proposed 3 massive grocery store redevelopment projects in San Francisco that would produce around 2,700 new homes.
They're all in neighborhoods that have seen little housing construction in recent years.
www.sfchronicle.com/realestate/a...
They're all in neighborhoods that have seen little housing construction in recent years.
www.sfchronicle.com/realestate/a...
Reposted by Benjamin Schneider
In this episode of UCLA Housing Voice we talk with @benschneider.bsky.social about progressive era housing reformers, strengthening building standards, and unintended consequences for housing affordability
www.lewis.ucla.edu/2025/11/19/1...
www.lewis.ucla.edu/2025/11/19/1...
Episode 102: Minimum Standards vs. Affordability with Benjamin Schneider (Incentives Series pt. 5)
We’ve been grappling with trade-offs between stricter building codes and declining affordability for over 100 years. Benjamin Schneider helps us trace the history.
www.lewis.ucla.edu
November 19, 2025 at 5:49 PM
In this episode of UCLA Housing Voice we talk with @benschneider.bsky.social about progressive era housing reformers, strengthening building standards, and unintended consequences for housing affordability
www.lewis.ucla.edu/2025/11/19/1...
www.lewis.ucla.edu/2025/11/19/1...
Perhaps even some virtue signaling lawn signs?
Nail this to a whole lot of doors, Martin Luther style
Housing affordability and the declining political fortunes of Democrats are profoundly connected.
An inability to build housing is THE big reason blue states are projected to lose 12 electoral college seats by 2032.
www.planetizen.com/features/136...
An inability to build housing is THE big reason blue states are projected to lose 12 electoral college seats by 2032.
www.planetizen.com/features/136...
November 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Perhaps even some virtue signaling lawn signs?
There's a shameful legacy of cities replacing transit service with unreliable microtransit and leaving riders in a lurch.
Montgomery, AL replaced its bus system with a dial-a-ride fleet in 1998. Fares doubled, ridership plummeted from 3,000/day to 200, and the subsidy remained the same.
Montgomery, AL replaced its bus system with a dial-a-ride fleet in 1998. Fares doubled, ridership plummeted from 3,000/day to 200, and the subsidy remained the same.
November 18, 2025 at 7:22 PM
There's a shameful legacy of cities replacing transit service with unreliable microtransit and leaving riders in a lurch.
Montgomery, AL replaced its bus system with a dial-a-ride fleet in 1998. Fares doubled, ridership plummeted from 3,000/day to 200, and the subsidy remained the same.
Montgomery, AL replaced its bus system with a dial-a-ride fleet in 1998. Fares doubled, ridership plummeted from 3,000/day to 200, and the subsidy remained the same.
Housing affordability and the declining political fortunes of Democrats are profoundly connected.
An inability to build housing is THE big reason blue states are projected to lose 12 electoral college seats by 2032.
www.planetizen.com/features/136...
An inability to build housing is THE big reason blue states are projected to lose 12 electoral college seats by 2032.
www.planetizen.com/features/136...
Americans are Fleeing Blue States, Even When Politics Misalign. The Culprit? Housing Affordability.
Will the blue state starter home ever return?
www.planetizen.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Housing affordability and the declining political fortunes of Democrats are profoundly connected.
An inability to build housing is THE big reason blue states are projected to lose 12 electoral college seats by 2032.
www.planetizen.com/features/136...
An inability to build housing is THE big reason blue states are projected to lose 12 electoral college seats by 2032.
www.planetizen.com/features/136...
Very excited for this! Eric and I have been discussing transit and cities for nearly a decade now — it will be fun to do it in public.
We are hosting @benschneider.bsky.social at our office in Brooklyn on 12/3 at 11am to celebrate the publication of his book, The Unfinished Metropolis. If you'd like to attend please RSVP below. We will have food, books, and Ben!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
The Unfinished Metropolis event with Ben Schneider at 370 Jay Street room 1201
Join us at NYU Marron
docs.google.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Very excited for this! Eric and I have been discussing transit and cities for nearly a decade now — it will be fun to do it in public.
Reposted by Benjamin Schneider
"Trump administration proposals seek to eliminate transit funding." Seeking to eliminate the Mass Transit Account (gas tax funding for transit capital projects); and the ability to flex highway money to transit -- subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: Trump administration proposals seek to eliminate transit funding
DOT recently sent two proposals to the White House budget office seeking to pare back transit money.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:36 AM
"Trump administration proposals seek to eliminate transit funding." Seeking to eliminate the Mass Transit Account (gas tax funding for transit capital projects); and the ability to flex highway money to transit -- subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Benjamin Schneider
Does the subway still need conductors? Much of the world say no, but union leaders say it's a safety issue. Gov. Hochul has to decide by year end whether to sign a bill that would mandate two-person train crews, even on lines that already moved to one operator www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/n...
Does the Subway Still Need Train Conductors?
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Does the subway still need conductors? Much of the world say no, but union leaders say it's a safety issue. Gov. Hochul has to decide by year end whether to sign a bill that would mandate two-person train crews, even on lines that already moved to one operator www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/n...
Uber and Lyft probably aren't the difference maker when people decide to go car-free. Most people can't afford ridehailing for every trip.
But they definitely make car-free living much easier and more dignified for the occasional late night or difficult to access trip.
But they definitely make car-free living much easier and more dignified for the occasional late night or difficult to access trip.
Remember all the hype about how Uber and Lyft would allow people to live car-free?
Well, it turns out ridehail has no discernible impact on car ownership at all.
Analysis from Glenn Mercer's excellent newsletter:
glennmercer.substack.com/p/the-impact...
Well, it turns out ridehail has no discernible impact on car ownership at all.
Analysis from Glenn Mercer's excellent newsletter:
glennmercer.substack.com/p/the-impact...
November 12, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Uber and Lyft probably aren't the difference maker when people decide to go car-free. Most people can't afford ridehailing for every trip.
But they definitely make car-free living much easier and more dignified for the occasional late night or difficult to access trip.
But they definitely make car-free living much easier and more dignified for the occasional late night or difficult to access trip.
The freeway revolt of the 60s and 70s was a noble movement that didn't go nearly far enough. But what's undeniably clear is that the few neighborhoods spared from the freeway builders ended up far better off.
Read my latest book excerpt in @nyc.streetsblog.org:
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/06/b...
Read my latest book excerpt in @nyc.streetsblog.org:
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/06/b...
Book Excerpt Special: The Incomplete Freeway Revolt - Streetsblog New York City
A new book looks at the destructive 20th-century urban development style — freeways, downtown office towers, suburban housing developments — that keeps Americans so dependent on their cars. Here's an ...
nyc.streetsblog.org
November 6, 2025 at 9:30 PM
The freeway revolt of the 60s and 70s was a noble movement that didn't go nearly far enough. But what's undeniably clear is that the few neighborhoods spared from the freeway builders ended up far better off.
Read my latest book excerpt in @nyc.streetsblog.org:
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/06/b...
Read my latest book excerpt in @nyc.streetsblog.org:
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/06/b...
Great layouts! Look at all of those exposures and bedrooms
For decades, a prime but isolated corner parking lot at 4th & Broadway in Denver's Baker neighborhood was too small for traditional development.
Thanks to Denver's forthcoming single-stair code updates, KGA Architects is proposing a 5-story single-stair apt on this "forgotten lot"
Thanks to Denver's forthcoming single-stair code updates, KGA Architects is proposing a 5-story single-stair apt on this "forgotten lot"
November 6, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Great layouts! Look at all of those exposures and bedrooms
With the passage of the housing ballot initiatives, Mamdani won a second victory—one he didn’t even campaign for.
These laws will make at least some of his housing policy goals meaningfully easier to achieve.
www.fastcompany.com/91436060/zoh...
These laws will make at least some of his housing policy goals meaningfully easier to achieve.
www.fastcompany.com/91436060/zoh...
Zohran Mamdani actually won two elections
New York City’s newly elected mayor just won a fighting chance to enact his ambitious housing agenda.
www.fastcompany.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:21 PM
With the passage of the housing ballot initiatives, Mamdani won a second victory—one he didn’t even campaign for.
These laws will make at least some of his housing policy goals meaningfully easier to achieve.
www.fastcompany.com/91436060/zoh...
These laws will make at least some of his housing policy goals meaningfully easier to achieve.
www.fastcompany.com/91436060/zoh...
Reposted by Benjamin Schneider
This is a great piece on efforts to envision a truly transformational regional rail system for So Cal. Looks at all these publicly-owned tracks! We should have have 15 minute peak service running under overhead wires powered by 100% renewable energy.
November 6, 2025 at 12:03 AM
This is a great piece on efforts to envision a truly transformational regional rail system for So Cal. Looks at all these publicly-owned tracks! We should have have 15 minute peak service running under overhead wires powered by 100% renewable energy.
Reposted by Benjamin Schneider
Recent subway ridership records:
Busiest post-COVID day, Wednesday, 10/29: 4,589,477
Busiest post-COVID Friday, 10/31: 4,428,750
Busiest post-COVID Sunday, 11/2: 2,825,658
2nd busiest post-COVD Saturday, 11/1: 3,093,309
This is how people get around NYC.
Busiest post-COVID day, Wednesday, 10/29: 4,589,477
Busiest post-COVID Friday, 10/31: 4,428,750
Busiest post-COVID Sunday, 11/2: 2,825,658
2nd busiest post-COVD Saturday, 11/1: 3,093,309
This is how people get around NYC.
November 4, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Recent subway ridership records:
Busiest post-COVID day, Wednesday, 10/29: 4,589,477
Busiest post-COVID Friday, 10/31: 4,428,750
Busiest post-COVID Sunday, 11/2: 2,825,658
2nd busiest post-COVD Saturday, 11/1: 3,093,309
This is how people get around NYC.
Busiest post-COVID day, Wednesday, 10/29: 4,589,477
Busiest post-COVID Friday, 10/31: 4,428,750
Busiest post-COVID Sunday, 11/2: 2,825,658
2nd busiest post-COVD Saturday, 11/1: 3,093,309
This is how people get around NYC.
Momentum is gaining momentum. The railroad infrastructure framework developed by @ndhapple.bsky.social has gone bicoastal.
A new report from @calelectricrail.org shows how level boarding and electrified trains would transform transportation in SoCal.
benjaminschneider.substack.com/p/how-southe...
A new report from @calelectricrail.org shows how level boarding and electrified trains would transform transportation in SoCal.
benjaminschneider.substack.com/p/how-southe...
How Southern California would benefit from electric trains
Electrification and level boarding platforms can significantly improve rail travel on the west coast, too.
benjaminschneider.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Momentum is gaining momentum. The railroad infrastructure framework developed by @ndhapple.bsky.social has gone bicoastal.
A new report from @calelectricrail.org shows how level boarding and electrified trains would transform transportation in SoCal.
benjaminschneider.substack.com/p/how-southe...
A new report from @calelectricrail.org shows how level boarding and electrified trains would transform transportation in SoCal.
benjaminschneider.substack.com/p/how-southe...
Reposted by Benjamin Schneider
Time for Electrolink, Southern California 🚆
Electrification and level boarding "on the San Bernardino Line, the journey from San Bernardino to LA would go from 106 minutes to 70 minutes."
via @benschneider.bsky.social
Electrification and level boarding "on the San Bernardino Line, the journey from San Bernardino to LA would go from 106 minutes to 70 minutes."
via @benschneider.bsky.social
How Southern California would benefit from electric trains
Electrification and level boarding platforms can significantly improve rail travel on the west coast, too.
benjaminschneider.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Time for Electrolink, Southern California 🚆
Electrification and level boarding "on the San Bernardino Line, the journey from San Bernardino to LA would go from 106 minutes to 70 minutes."
via @benschneider.bsky.social
Electrification and level boarding "on the San Bernardino Line, the journey from San Bernardino to LA would go from 106 minutes to 70 minutes."
via @benschneider.bsky.social
New 196-unit housing project proposed for SF's Presidio. It's a very unique development led by the Presidio Trust and financed in part by US Treasury loans. Revenues from this fully market-rate project in a super desirable area would go toward supporting the park.
www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/p...
www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/p...
October 30, 2025 at 6:31 PM
New 196-unit housing project proposed for SF's Presidio. It's a very unique development led by the Presidio Trust and financed in part by US Treasury loans. Revenues from this fully market-rate project in a super desirable area would go toward supporting the park.
www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/p...
www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/p...
Reposted by Benjamin Schneider
What a waste. $200 m on a 2.2-mi line that plods along at 8 mph, doesn't have a direct Metro connection, gets stuck behind cars with which it shares lanes, & arrives less frequently than the (faster) bus along the same route.
The city couldn't bother to make it effective, so now it's being killed.
The city couldn't bother to make it effective, so now it's being killed.
DDOT Officially Announces DC Streetcar Service Ending Date - What a ride: www.popville.com/2025/10/ddot...
DDOT Officially Announces DC Streetcar Service Ending Date - PoPville
Streetcar will join its brother in arms early next year. From DDOT: "The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announces that DC Streetcar service will end on March 31, 2026. Following this dat...
www.popville.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:46 PM
What a waste. $200 m on a 2.2-mi line that plods along at 8 mph, doesn't have a direct Metro connection, gets stuck behind cars with which it shares lanes, & arrives less frequently than the (faster) bus along the same route.
The city couldn't bother to make it effective, so now it's being killed.
The city couldn't bother to make it effective, so now it's being killed.
Berkeley's transformation from one of the NIMBYest cities in California to one of the YIMBYest is a major arc in my book.
In 2022, Berkeley completed more new homes than it did in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s combined.
Rents there have been mostly flat in recent years.
In 2022, Berkeley completed more new homes than it did in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s combined.
Rents there have been mostly flat in recent years.
October 28, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Berkeley's transformation from one of the NIMBYest cities in California to one of the YIMBYest is a major arc in my book.
In 2022, Berkeley completed more new homes than it did in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s combined.
Rents there have been mostly flat in recent years.
In 2022, Berkeley completed more new homes than it did in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s combined.
Rents there have been mostly flat in recent years.
Reposted by Benjamin Schneider
And then we entirely forgot all of it
Oct. 27, 1925: The superiority of the electric over the steam locomotive is shown in Washington state's Cascade Mountains by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad. Two steam engines are hooked up to a lone electric one, which overpowers them and pulls them up an incline.
October 27, 2025 at 3:08 PM
And then we entirely forgot all of it