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!

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