A Rebirth for Saint Louis? and When “Smart Growth” Isn’t

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By Wendell Cox | Read Time 1 minute

Saint Louis has been buffeted by some tough economic times over the past few years, but internationally known demographer and area resident Wendell Cox says better times may be on the way. The lack of excessive planning and regulation has kept housing affordable in Saint Louis, and that, Cox says, may trigger the area’s rebirth.

When it comes to housing, Saint Louis is one of the most affordable areas in the country.  And that, says demographer and economist Wendell Cox, is why Saint Louis is poised to recover its competitiveness…as long as area planners stay away from so-called “smart growth” policies and too much regulation.

Related Links

Housing Affordability: The Saint Louis Competitive Advantage (Full Policy Study)

About the Author

Wendell Cox is a leading proponent of adopting land use and transport policies based on their effectiveness in improving standards of living and alleviating poverty. He is principal of Demographia (Wendell Cox Consultancy) in the St. Louis metropolitan area. He specializes in urban policy, transport, and demographics and is author of “Demographia World Urban Areas” and co-author of the Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey. He is also author of “Toward More Prosperous Cities,” a framing essay on urban areas, urban planning, urban transport, and sustainability. He has lectured widely and has consulted for public authorities and private companies in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand and for public policy organizations. He has served as visiting professor at the Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers (a national university) in Paris, in transport and demographics. He is contributing editor of newgeography.com, for which he writes a regular column. This includes “The Evolving Urban Form” series, which analyzes demographic trends in world urban areas. 

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