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  2. A narrow zoning change was not enough to unlock broad construction.
?WHY IS
RENT HIGH?
Reform scale matters

A narrow zoning change was not enough to unlock broad construction.

Chicago's cumulative permit paths changed unevenly across neighborhoods and rule types.

REDRAWN FROM STUDY DATAFigure 3 · Cumulative residential units permitted
Figure 3 · Cumulative residential units permittedChicago's cumulative permit paths changed unevenly across neighborhoods and rule types. Values digitized from Figure 3; six original panels condensed into the three policy comparisons in the archived publication; minor reading error is possible.03006009001,200Cumulative permitted unitsReform exposureAffected parcelsComparison parcelsDensity incr…Parking refo…Both changes
Figure 3 · Cumulative residential units permitted. Values digitized from Figure 3; six original panels condensed into the three policy comparisons in the archived publication; minor reading error is possible.
Reform exposureAffected parcelsComparison parcels
Density increase410460
Parking reform720690
Both changes560520

Source: Freemark (2020) · Figure 3; PDF p. 21

Data: Values digitized from Figure 3; six original panels condensed into the three policy comparisons in the archived publication; minor reading error is possible.

Keep in mind: The reforms covered narrow station areas, and the study observed only the first several post-reform years.

Share the evidence

A narrow zoning change was not enough to unlock broad construction.

Chicago's cumulative permit paths changed unevenly across neighborhoods and rule types.

Source
Freemark (2020)
Figure
Figure 3 · Cumulative residential units permitted · Figure 3; PDF p. 21
Redraw data
Values digitized from Figure 3; six original panels condensed into the three policy comparisons in the archived publication; minor reading error is possible.
Keep in mind
The reforms covered narrow station areas, and the study observed only the first several post-reform years.
View values used in redraw
Values used to redraw Figure 3 · Cumulative residential units permitted
Reform exposureAffected parcelsComparison parcels
Density increase410460
Parking reform720690
Both changes560520
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?WHY IS
RENT HIGH?

Too many people are chasing too few homes. See why—and what communities can do about it.

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