Work

Can zoning reform change urban development patterns? Evidence from Auckland

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In 2016, Auckland implemented a widespread upzoning to encourage medium density infill housing. This article describes the institutional processes preceding the reform, quantifies the changes in land use across the metropolitan area and documents subsequent changes in residential housing starts. We show that approximately three-quarters of residential land was upzoned, predominantly in areas close to transportation network access, and between 5 and 25 km of the central business district (CBD). Six years on from the reform, housing starts have increased; are located closer to the CBD, employment locations and transportation network access points; and are predominantly infill and attached housing. Spatial decompositions show that these patterns are exclusively driven by changes in housing starts in upzoned areas.

Source: Urban Studies

DOI: 10.1177/00420980241311521

Authors: Ryan Greenaway-McGrevy, James Allan Jones

Institution: University of Auckland

Language: English

Topic: Housing Market and Economics

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,900