6 hours ago
- Ugliness is not the main driver of local opposition to development (NIMBYs), but it is a major driver among non-local opponents (NITBYs) who care about aesthetic degradation.
- The rise of heritage conservation in the 1960s-70s was a reaction to modernist architecture, which most people found ugly, rather than a response to unprecedented destruction or a pretext for NIMBYism.
- Conservation policies have frozen development in historic city centers, especially in Europe, contributing significantly to housing shortages, while their impact in the US is smaller but still notable.
- Beauty could help reduce opposition to development, but it is not a panacea; other concerns like construction disruption, loss of green space, and social exclusivity remain important.
- The article argues that breaking the 'curse of ugliness' requires confidence that change can yield beautiful cities, not just economic or planning arguments.