Mon Oct 31 2011

Ryan Avent of the Economist and author of The Gated City talks with host Russ Roberts about the book and how cities have restricted access to land and housing. He argues that restricted access has raised housing prices artificially on both the east and west coast of the United States, reducing urban populations and restricting access to labor markets. He argues that this in turn has artificially depressed growth in the United States by keeping workers from their most productive opportunities. The conversation closes with a discussion of possible policy changes that might make cities more accessible to development and growth.