The conservative case for denser cities

[Meursault]

"reasonably regulated to protect the character and quality of the neighborhoods"

Lmao. You have no ideas.

[Meursault]

Why not think boldly? We need those very high rises you've dismissed. It is inevitable anyway, and this is one of the few cases where the corporate-worshipping wing of conservatism might prove useful, by helping to get rid of the zoning laws blocking them.

[Meursault]

There's a difference between 'development' and 'gentrification'.

The former entails the construction of factories (especially urban factories), mass housing, multi-story buildings. Everyone should want that.

The latter entails the demolition of mass housing, deindustrialization, the construction of row homes and boutique stores. We must declare war to the death upon it.

[Meursault]

The problem with gentrification has nothing to do with demography and everything to do with its conversion of areas useful to the construction of heavy industry into playgrounds for an unproductive, valueless middle class.

[Meursault]

I invite you to visit downtown St. Louis sometime. What has 'gentrification' meant there? The construction of the insolvent Millennium Hotel and a few trendy bars. Meanwhile unemployment in St. Louis is triple the statewide average.

There's no 'there' there.