Alex Pemberton
@yellowbrickurban.com
Real estate bro on a planner/researcher detour. Focus on how real estate markets build cities, how regulation shapes real estate markets, and how urban battlefields entrench segregation.
yellowbrickurban.com/ideas
yellowbrickurban.com/ideas
Diagramming this fucking sentence.
November 17, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Diagramming this fucking sentence.
I am the mouse and the architect of my maze. The giver of my own pleasure and torment. I desire. I desire desiring. I desire being desired. I desire desire itself.
November 17, 2025 at 4:42 PM
I am the mouse and the architect of my maze. The giver of my own pleasure and torment. I desire. I desire desiring. I desire being desired. I desire desire itself.
Be forewarned:
You may also encounter maps of major downzonings.
Such is life. Beauty and sorrow coexist. They must.
You may also encounter maps of major downzonings.
Such is life. Beauty and sorrow coexist. They must.
November 10, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Be forewarned:
You may also encounter maps of major downzonings.
Such is life. Beauty and sorrow coexist. They must.
You may also encounter maps of major downzonings.
Such is life. Beauty and sorrow coexist. They must.
Single-Stair Sickos might like to learn that a lot of European cities used to produce detailed books on their built environment, including complete floor plans.
Here's a snippet from Hamburg und Seine Bauten (1914)
Here's a snippet from Hamburg und Seine Bauten (1914)
November 10, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Single-Stair Sickos might like to learn that a lot of European cities used to produce detailed books on their built environment, including complete floor plans.
Here's a snippet from Hamburg und Seine Bauten (1914)
Here's a snippet from Hamburg und Seine Bauten (1914)
Right-wingers are afraid of everything except looking stupid in public.
November 4, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Right-wingers are afraid of everything except looking stupid in public.
Peak Gustavo Petro
October 29, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Peak Gustavo Petro
The problem with single-stair in the U.S. is that, in all but a fraction of <10 metros, these units would be unmarketable without filling the site with structured parking, which a 2.0 FAR cannot financially support.
And 2.0 FAR can't pay for the land in the fraction without huge parking ratios.
And 2.0 FAR can't pay for the land in the fraction without huge parking ratios.
you know how i keep saying single stair buildings are workhorse of walkable urbanism the world over?
here are 174 homes on a 2.2 acre block in seattle.
(16) 4-5 story single stair buildings.
what do you think FAR is?
what about lot coverage?
unit distribution?
here are 174 homes on a 2.2 acre block in seattle.
(16) 4-5 story single stair buildings.
what do you think FAR is?
what about lot coverage?
unit distribution?
October 29, 2025 at 6:25 PM
The problem with single-stair in the U.S. is that, in all but a fraction of <10 metros, these units would be unmarketable without filling the site with structured parking, which a 2.0 FAR cannot financially support.
And 2.0 FAR can't pay for the land in the fraction without huge parking ratios.
And 2.0 FAR can't pay for the land in the fraction without huge parking ratios.
If only the White House was a mass produced builder-grade ranch house in the 78th most notable mid-century sprawl subdivision in Nashville, Tennessee.
USAmerican historic preservation is the fakest thing humans have ever devised.
USAmerican historic preservation is the fakest thing humans have ever devised.
Breaking News: President Trump is having the White House’s entire East Wing demolished to make way for his $200 million ballroom. The project is far more extensive than he initially let on.
Trump Will Demolish Entire White House East Wing for Ballroom: Live Updates
nyti.ms
October 23, 2025 at 1:23 AM
If only the White House was a mass produced builder-grade ranch house in the 78th most notable mid-century sprawl subdivision in Nashville, Tennessee.
USAmerican historic preservation is the fakest thing humans have ever devised.
USAmerican historic preservation is the fakest thing humans have ever devised.
"Urban Planning" has become an exercise in gilding vibes with a veneer of empirics.
Just a remarkable lack of rigor in 99% of work product from this industry.
Just a remarkable lack of rigor in 99% of work product from this industry.
October 22, 2025 at 2:40 PM
"Urban Planning" has become an exercise in gilding vibes with a veneer of empirics.
Just a remarkable lack of rigor in 99% of work product from this industry.
Just a remarkable lack of rigor in 99% of work product from this industry.
More than a century into the American Zoning Experiment, we have the first example of application for its stated purpose: to regulate nuisance land uses.
Gotta hand it to the NIMBYs on this one www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/u...
To Fight ICE, Portland’s Leaders Turn to What They Know Best: Zoning
www.nytimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 3:11 PM
More than a century into the American Zoning Experiment, we have the first example of application for its stated purpose: to regulate nuisance land uses.
Reposted by Alex Pemberton
🚨 NEWS: Colombian President Gustavo Petro accuses U.S. government officials of murder and violating Colombia’s sovereignty and says the Trump-ordered strike of a boat in the Caribbean killed a fisherman named Alejandro Carranza.
October 19, 2025 at 3:09 AM
🚨 NEWS: Colombian President Gustavo Petro accuses U.S. government officials of murder and violating Colombia’s sovereignty and says the Trump-ordered strike of a boat in the Caribbean killed a fisherman named Alejandro Carranza.
When planners promote DADUs while preserving provisions that make them unfinanceable—owner-occupancy requirements, separate-sale prohibitions, etc.—they are planning for a wider privilege gap.
Only rich households can benefit from DADU income, giving their kids a leg up, saving on elder care, etc.
Only rich households can benefit from DADU income, giving their kids a leg up, saving on elder care, etc.
October 15, 2025 at 3:57 PM
When planners promote DADUs while preserving provisions that make them unfinanceable—owner-occupancy requirements, separate-sale prohibitions, etc.—they are planning for a wider privilege gap.
Only rich households can benefit from DADU income, giving their kids a leg up, saving on elder care, etc.
Only rich households can benefit from DADU income, giving their kids a leg up, saving on elder care, etc.
When I hear folks talk about bringing smallplex construction back to American cities, I ask for their take on the Tax Reform Act of 1986.
Nobody ever has a take.
We aren't bringing smallplex construction back to American cities.
Nobody ever has a take.
We aren't bringing smallplex construction back to American cities.
October 15, 2025 at 1:54 PM
When I hear folks talk about bringing smallplex construction back to American cities, I ask for their take on the Tax Reform Act of 1986.
Nobody ever has a take.
We aren't bringing smallplex construction back to American cities.
Nobody ever has a take.
We aren't bringing smallplex construction back to American cities.
Not covered here: suburbanization of poverty and rising homelessness.
(And the fusion: many cities have moved services for the unhoused further afield to "clean up downtown")
Data is difficult for mass analysis, but anecdotes are abundant for those who follow pedestrian deaths in their localities.
(And the fusion: many cities have moved services for the unhoused further afield to "clean up downtown")
Data is difficult for mass analysis, but anecdotes are abundant for those who follow pedestrian deaths in their localities.
Deep dive into the surge in US pedestrian deaths:
"It’s not that more pedestrians are getting hit by vehicles; it’s that the ones that are getting hit are more likely to die."
"[That] seems like fairly strong evidence for the theory that the rise in large SUVs is behind the uptick in ped deaths."
"It’s not that more pedestrians are getting hit by vehicles; it’s that the ones that are getting hit are more likely to die."
"[That] seems like fairly strong evidence for the theory that the rise in large SUVs is behind the uptick in ped deaths."
Why Are So Many Pedestrians Killed by Cars in the US?
It’s unfortunately not uncommon for pedestrians to be killed by cars in the US.
www.construction-physics.com
October 11, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Not covered here: suburbanization of poverty and rising homelessness.
(And the fusion: many cities have moved services for the unhoused further afield to "clean up downtown")
Data is difficult for mass analysis, but anecdotes are abundant for those who follow pedestrian deaths in their localities.
(And the fusion: many cities have moved services for the unhoused further afield to "clean up downtown")
Data is difficult for mass analysis, but anecdotes are abundant for those who follow pedestrian deaths in their localities.
Broker Math never fails 👌
September 24, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Broker Math never fails 👌
Aside from the murder, crimes against humanity, etc.—it's remarkable how bad he is at this act a decade into it.
A real hillbilly would not g-drop "fishing" here. It's a stressed syllable. He got so caught up talkin' and comin' and whatnot, he forgot to be doin' proper velar nasal alveolarization.
A real hillbilly would not g-drop "fishing" here. It's a stressed syllable. He got so caught up talkin' and comin' and whatnot, he forgot to be doin' proper velar nasal alveolarization.
Vance on Trump's strikes on boats: "I wouldn't go fishing right now in that area of the world."
September 17, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Aside from the murder, crimes against humanity, etc.—it's remarkable how bad he is at this act a decade into it.
A real hillbilly would not g-drop "fishing" here. It's a stressed syllable. He got so caught up talkin' and comin' and whatnot, he forgot to be doin' proper velar nasal alveolarization.
A real hillbilly would not g-drop "fishing" here. It's a stressed syllable. He got so caught up talkin' and comin' and whatnot, he forgot to be doin' proper velar nasal alveolarization.
Pack it up, y'all. Nobody will do it better.
September 13, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Pack it up, y'all. Nobody will do it better.
Wow, I can't believe @seanforfive.bsky.social threatened to email the zoning administrator to find out if eating ass is a permitted use in the RM40 zoning district
August 20, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Wow, I can't believe @seanforfive.bsky.social threatened to email the zoning administrator to find out if eating ass is a permitted use in the RM40 zoning district
There is a German TV show called "Unser Supermarkt" which is like a reality TV show about a supermarket except the drama is just supermarket employees talking about missing barcodes and where to stack the Kartoffeln and very normal checkout processes. It is peak German culture.
huh I'd never thought about this but Germany's modern cultural output really is strikingly low compared to its size and wealth.
August 18, 2025 at 11:07 PM
There is a German TV show called "Unser Supermarkt" which is like a reality TV show about a supermarket except the drama is just supermarket employees talking about missing barcodes and where to stack the Kartoffeln and very normal checkout processes. It is peak German culture.
Euclid and its consequences.
800 words not sufficient, but local governments' virtually limitless land use powers—in a nation of otherwise severely limited gov't powers—leads local governments to use the land use hammer for every nail.
Progressive politicians should roll it back. Laugh meanwhile:
800 words not sufficient, but local governments' virtually limitless land use powers—in a nation of otherwise severely limited gov't powers—leads local governments to use the land use hammer for every nail.
Progressive politicians should roll it back. Laugh meanwhile:
August 15, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Euclid and its consequences.
800 words not sufficient, but local governments' virtually limitless land use powers—in a nation of otherwise severely limited gov't powers—leads local governments to use the land use hammer for every nail.
Progressive politicians should roll it back. Laugh meanwhile:
800 words not sufficient, but local governments' virtually limitless land use powers—in a nation of otherwise severely limited gov't powers—leads local governments to use the land use hammer for every nail.
Progressive politicians should roll it back. Laugh meanwhile:
Reposted by Alex Pemberton
This is a totally fascinating deep dive into one of those European social housing projects that goes mini-viral in North American housing circles because it's so pretty and cheap--and it turns out to be a lot more complicated. brendanwhitsitt.substack.com/p/24-does-eu...
#24 - Does Europe Really Build For Less?
A Case Study: 18 rue Pradier, Paris
brendanwhitsitt.substack.com
August 14, 2025 at 3:46 PM
This is a totally fascinating deep dive into one of those European social housing projects that goes mini-viral in North American housing circles because it's so pretty and cheap--and it turns out to be a lot more complicated. brendanwhitsitt.substack.com/p/24-does-eu...
On one hand, it sucks that we have a system that allows a small number of cranks to delay public goods and force the public to spend tons of money on frivolous legal defenses.
On the other hand, it's fun to watch the worst person you've ever encountered lose over and over and over again.
On the other hand, it's fun to watch the worst person you've ever encountered lose over and over and over again.
The Tennessee Supreme Court declines to hear Committee to Stop an Unfair Tax and Emily Evans' challenge of the Nashville transit funding referendum. From @nashvillebanner.bsky.social newsletter this AM:
Metro Council Women's Caucus pressures DEC leadership - Nashville Banner
The Tennessee Supreme Court rejects an appeal by anti-transit group. Mayor Freddie O'Connell celebrates decision and looks forward to improved transportation.
nashvillebanner.com
August 12, 2025 at 1:54 PM
On one hand, it sucks that we have a system that allows a small number of cranks to delay public goods and force the public to spend tons of money on frivolous legal defenses.
On the other hand, it's fun to watch the worst person you've ever encountered lose over and over and over again.
On the other hand, it's fun to watch the worst person you've ever encountered lose over and over and over again.
West Nashville (now The Nations) under the original 1933 zoning code was Residence B and Industrial A zones.
Residence B allowed 4 units/lot—equivalent to the density proposed in this rezoning. Industrial A had no residential density limits.
This remains a colossal down-zone from 100 years ago.
Residence B allowed 4 units/lot—equivalent to the density proposed in this rezoning. Industrial A had no residential density limits.
This remains a colossal down-zone from 100 years ago.
The Metro Council has moved forward with what could be a colossal rezoning plan for more than 300 acres in The Nations.
Metro Council Advances Rezoning Plan for The Nations
Debate arises over proposal that would create an urban design overlay to allow for accessory dwellings, require tree density
www.nashvillescene.com
August 6, 2025 at 3:47 PM
West Nashville (now The Nations) under the original 1933 zoning code was Residence B and Industrial A zones.
Residence B allowed 4 units/lot—equivalent to the density proposed in this rezoning. Industrial A had no residential density limits.
This remains a colossal down-zone from 100 years ago.
Residence B allowed 4 units/lot—equivalent to the density proposed in this rezoning. Industrial A had no residential density limits.
This remains a colossal down-zone from 100 years ago.
Sebald did it a whole lot more better.
![Williams’s book is impaired by slapdash prose. His writing abounds with interminable, convoluted sentences that teem with digressions and then awkwardly limp toward disorienting conclusions. Here is one from the prologue:
For non-whites, even though the mixed-race population has become the fastest-growing segment of the American demos and, in real terms, a disproportionate but statistically small and decreasing number of unarmed Black civilians were killed by police annually (typically between 15 and 25 per year from a population exceeding 40 million, according to The Washington Post’s “Fatal Force” database) — and indeed other quality-of-life markers have been equalizing for significant numbers of Black people since the civil rights movement — the death of [Trayvon] Martin followed by [Michael] Brown (regardless of the specific contingencies of that case), and a high-profile slate of videotaped police and vigilante killings that converged with the proliferation of camera-equipped smartphones and the pervasiveness of social media, thwarted any self-congratulatory sense of the inevitability of social progress still alive in the first half of Obama’s second administration.
Huh? In addition to such passages, “Summer of Our Discontent” includes many distended excerpts — some spanning three pages — from not-so-obscure sources, including The Times.
Midway through the book, Williams chides another writer on the race beat for propounding “an excruciatingly simplistic tale, fueled by a powerful unwillingness and incapacity to grapple with contemporary American racial and social complexity.” Regrettably, I know the feeling.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:nvfposmpmhegtyvhbs75s3pw/bafkreif2e52q5ncyrgmcxrrhpwuuclwcfp2vefdlmqxka6z5p2brfiarsa@jpeg)
August 4, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Sebald did it a whole lot more better.