[New York City] Council Member David Yassky (D-Brooklyn) has introduced a bill that would make inclusionary zoning mandatory. He is unequivocal in his thinking. �When there is a change from manufacturing to residential, property values increase 500 or 600 percent. When you have that kind of wealth created by a government action, it is only fair to use some of it for the public good. The Department of City Planning came to Brooklyn and told the residents there would be affordable housing in new developments. If they really intend to keep their promise, then they should have no problem putting it into writing and guaranteeing that it will be done.�

Planners Network, Spring 2004

Inclusionary zoning is usually a good idea, but planning for public benefits is most appropriate — indeed, most necessary — in instances where government “gives” substantial windfall profits to the private sector. Upzoning in a deindustrializing city like New York, as has been done in Vancouver, provides a great opportunity to extract tremendous concessions from developers: new parks, schools, affordable housing, community facilities, and transit should top the list.

At the Highway 15 border crossing, from Blaine to Surrey. The guy directing traffic sent me to the empty “pass holder” lane, past the long lines of cars and trucks. Instead of parking and walking in, I rode up to a window.

RCMP border crossing agent [strong jaw, red hair]: Where are you from?
Me: Chicago, Illinois.
RCMP: Did you bicycle all the way from Chicago?
Me: No, I came from Seattle…
RCMP: And what do you do in Chicago?
Me: I’m an urban planner.
RCMP: Is that why you’ve cycled from Seattle instead of driving?

Photos of Seattle, Bellingham, Vancouver, and Victoria (and some of the countryside in between) coming when I get back.