Worldwide, countries struggle to provide affordable housing, not to mention expanding the market in a way that doesn’t undermine climate change goals. Global North cities in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia have relied on urban sprawl to appease the demand for more—and bigger—houses. Plagued by the poor air quality, forest fires, and water shortages that coincide with urban sprawl, this approach is not sustainable. The Global South lacks the necessary economic dependability to provide sufficient housing in overcrowded cities. But Michael and Kimberly consider the steps governments are taking and technological developments providing businesses and consumers with more sustainable options.
Key Topics Michael and Kimberly discuss include:
Why the “World’s Most Liveable Cities” tend to be the least affordable
How big is big enough for two people
The chasm between housing demand and supply
How double-sized homes mean double-length commutes
The A-to-Z list of how urban sprawl contributes to climate change
Strategies that offer affordable—and maybe even more sustainable—housing
Why this sustainability issue seems more manageable than most others
More information in Kimberly's Substack post (available Friday)
Recommended Resources
Bigger Houses, Smaller Families
Harvard’s The State of the Nation’s Housing Report for 2024
The True Cost of Sprawl
How Sustainable, Liveable, and Resilient Housing Can Help Us Adapt to a Changing Future
Ditch the Bulbs!
