The Economic Imperative of Preserving Open Space in the Face of a Housing Crisis

This Monday, Economic Institute President Micah Weinberg discussed the importance of preserving open space in the Bay Area while addressing the housing challenges the region faces at Greenbelt Alliance’s board of director’s meeting. The conversation suggests that the Bay Area can make progress to accommodate its growing population in a way that is environmentally sustainable while preserving open spaces that are economic assets to the region.

The conversation precedes the release of the Institute’s forthcoming report Bay Area Balance: Preserving Open Space, Addressing Housing Affordability that makes the economic case for preserving open spaces and identifies opportunities for responsible development in the region. The report complements East Bay Regional Parks District’s Quantifying Our Quality of Life report, an economic analysis of open spaces in the East Bay.

Listen to the conversation below.