Michael W. Mehaffy

The housing crisis is not primarily a financial problem — it is a design and policy problem. Outdated zoning codes, written for a mid-20th century vision of cities, are actively preventing the kinds of walkable, mixed-use, affordable neighborhoods that people want and cities need. In this evidence-based and solution-oriented talk, Dr. Mehaffy draws on decades of research and hands-on practice — including work with UN-Habitat and the development of award-winning transit-oriented communities — to show why conventional zoning is failing, and what smarter, more generative approaches to land use can achieve. Audiences leave with a clear understanding of what reform actually looks like on the ground, and why it is both more urgent and more achievable than most people realize.

Attendee Results:

• Understand why conventional zoning codes produce housing scarcity, sprawl, and inequity — and why incremental fixes are not enough.
• Learn what "generative codes" are and how they produce more livable, affordable, and economically vibrant neighborhoods.
• Discover proven models of zoning reform from cities that have successfully increased housing supply without sacrificing quality of life.
• Gain a practical framework for evaluating proposed zoning changes and distinguishing genuine reform from political theater.
• Leave with actionable strategies for engaging stakeholders — developers, residents, and policymakers — around a shared vision for change.