Alex Pemberton
@yellowbrickurban.com
Real estate bro on a planner/researcher detour. Focus on how real estate markets build cities, how regulation shapes real estate markets, and how urban battlefields entrench segregation.
yellowbrickurban.com/ideas
yellowbrickurban.com/ideas
Man, cities are so beautiful.
And there is not another city in the world where this is possible. That is American Exceptionalism and damn if I'm not too jaded yet to believe in an exceptional America.
And there is not another city in the world where this is possible. That is American Exceptionalism and damn if I'm not too jaded yet to believe in an exceptional America.
Best TikTok thing going is the two dudes trying food from every country without leaving NYC. If you haven’t seen them yet, it’s incredible. My favorite so far is last week’s. Legit got me emotional.
January 9, 2026 at 3:39 AM
Man, cities are so beautiful.
And there is not another city in the world where this is possible. That is American Exceptionalism and damn if I'm not too jaded yet to believe in an exceptional America.
And there is not another city in the world where this is possible. That is American Exceptionalism and damn if I'm not too jaded yet to believe in an exceptional America.
No wars but the 2019 Chicken Sandwich Wars.
January 5, 2026 at 3:25 AM
No wars but the 2019 Chicken Sandwich Wars.
Approximately one-third of the IFS blog are variations on the "despite what you may reasonably deduce from our publications and entire body of work, we promise we love all babies and are definitely not racists" genre of post.
It's just the t-shirt meme with faux-academic lexicon and chart slop.
It's just the t-shirt meme with faux-academic lexicon and chart slop.
I was wondering why their is so much random racist discourse on Somalis on the TL rn but oh it’s election season for governor rn lol
January 2, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Approximately one-third of the IFS blog are variations on the "despite what you may reasonably deduce from our publications and entire body of work, we promise we love all babies and are definitely not racists" genre of post.
It's just the t-shirt meme with faux-academic lexicon and chart slop.
It's just the t-shirt meme with faux-academic lexicon and chart slop.
I haven't followed this drama closely enough to know the merits, but it seems instructive that the official university statement is riddled with grammar and style errors.
Parallelism problems, subject-verb disagreement, preposition mismatches—nearly every sentence gets redlined at the 100 level.
Parallelism problems, subject-verb disagreement, preposition mismatches—nearly every sentence gets redlined at the 100 level.
December 24, 2025 at 9:04 PM
I haven't followed this drama closely enough to know the merits, but it seems instructive that the official university statement is riddled with grammar and style errors.
Parallelism problems, subject-verb disagreement, preposition mismatches—nearly every sentence gets redlined at the 100 level.
Parallelism problems, subject-verb disagreement, preposition mismatches—nearly every sentence gets redlined at the 100 level.
Apropros the discourse:
Miniatur Wunderland, the world's largest model railway, used to invite the major political parties to create dioramas of their vision of "Utopia"
You need to know nothing of German politics or parties to understand their vibes/agendas. That is an immense power—and the point.
Miniatur Wunderland, the world's largest model railway, used to invite the major political parties to create dioramas of their vision of "Utopia"
You need to know nothing of German politics or parties to understand their vibes/agendas. That is an immense power—and the point.
December 19, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Apropros the discourse:
Miniatur Wunderland, the world's largest model railway, used to invite the major political parties to create dioramas of their vision of "Utopia"
You need to know nothing of German politics or parties to understand their vibes/agendas. That is an immense power—and the point.
Miniatur Wunderland, the world's largest model railway, used to invite the major political parties to create dioramas of their vision of "Utopia"
You need to know nothing of German politics or parties to understand their vibes/agendas. That is an immense power—and the point.
There is, within this paragraph, a sixty-three-word sentence comprised of three independent clauses, within which two relative clauses and three adverbial clauses are nested, and which, in that space, employs a dozen commas and twice as many pronouns as common nouns, including three shapeshifter...
Possibly the only thing more freakish than Nuzzi's prose is the contortions her defenders twist themselves into. "She's not just hot, but she definitely is hot, while also being a vulnerable smol child. Also, criticizing her is sexist."
December 8, 2025 at 9:29 PM
There is, within this paragraph, a sixty-three-word sentence comprised of three independent clauses, within which two relative clauses and three adverbial clauses are nested, and which, in that space, employs a dozen commas and twice as many pronouns as common nouns, including three shapeshifter...
This is the best I've read of the genre.
Listening to the article via the AI robot voice reader makes it even better.
Listening to the article via the AI robot voice reader makes it even better.
"We are unearthing the echo of loneliness. We are unfolding the brushstrokes of regret. We are saying the words that mean meaning." A great, clarifying, skin-crawling piece on A.I. writing 'style' by Sam Kriss. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/m...
Why Does A.I. Write Like … That?
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:01 PM
This is the best I've read of the genre.
Listening to the article via the AI robot voice reader makes it even better.
Listening to the article via the AI robot voice reader makes it even better.
This guy is a jackass.
FHA family status protections explicitly prohibit discrimination against families with children, as landlords are wont to do over wear-and-tear and racialized biases (see: Evicted)
Using this photo would help insulate managers from FHA family status claims.
FHA family status protections explicitly prohibit discrimination against families with children, as landlords are wont to do over wear-and-tear and racialized biases (see: Evicted)
Using this photo would help insulate managers from FHA family status claims.
One of the craziest rules inhibiting “Family Friendly” apartments is the application of Fair Housing Act
Here is a (old) Christmas card photo for my family. I’m obviously biased but I also think this is a PERFECT lifestyle photo to illustrate the benefits of living in an apartment building
Here is a (old) Christmas card photo for my family. I’m obviously biased but I also think this is a PERFECT lifestyle photo to illustrate the benefits of living in an apartment building
December 5, 2025 at 4:14 AM
This guy is a jackass.
FHA family status protections explicitly prohibit discrimination against families with children, as landlords are wont to do over wear-and-tear and racialized biases (see: Evicted)
Using this photo would help insulate managers from FHA family status claims.
FHA family status protections explicitly prohibit discrimination against families with children, as landlords are wont to do over wear-and-tear and racialized biases (see: Evicted)
Using this photo would help insulate managers from FHA family status claims.
Reposted by Alex Pemberton
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries: “Strong floor, no ceiling”
Colombian President Gustavo Petro: “A clan of pedophiles wants to destroy our democracy.”
Colombian President Gustavo Petro: “A clan of pedophiles wants to destroy our democracy.”
December 3, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries: “Strong floor, no ceiling”
Colombian President Gustavo Petro: “A clan of pedophiles wants to destroy our democracy.”
Colombian President Gustavo Petro: “A clan of pedophiles wants to destroy our democracy.”
If I was a Davidson County, TN Democrat in a position of authority and saw this map, I would build so much fucking housing.
If you ever wondered what GOP gerrymandering looks like in red states with blue cities, I present:
December 3, 2025 at 2:13 AM
If I was a Davidson County, TN Democrat in a position of authority and saw this map, I would build so much fucking housing.
The "health and safety" pretext for zoning is nonsensical today because it was never more than a Jim Crow assertion of Black neighbors as unsafe and unhealthful.
It's how zoning was legitimated as a police power after antecedants—segregation ordinances, racial covenants—proved legally ineffectual.
It's how zoning was legitimated as a police power after antecedants—segregation ordinances, racial covenants—proved legally ineffectual.
November 24, 2025 at 4:29 PM
The "health and safety" pretext for zoning is nonsensical today because it was never more than a Jim Crow assertion of Black neighbors as unsafe and unhealthful.
It's how zoning was legitimated as a police power after antecedants—segregation ordinances, racial covenants—proved legally ineffectual.
It's how zoning was legitimated as a police power after antecedants—segregation ordinances, racial covenants—proved legally ineffectual.
Diagramming this fucking sentence.
November 17, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Diagramming this fucking sentence.
I am the mouse and the architect of my maze. The giver of my own pleasure and torment. I desire. I desire desiring. I desire being desired. I desire desire itself.
November 17, 2025 at 4:42 PM
I am the mouse and the architect of my maze. The giver of my own pleasure and torment. I desire. I desire desiring. I desire being desired. I desire desire itself.
Be forewarned:
You may also encounter maps of major downzonings.
Such is life. Beauty and sorrow coexist. They must.
You may also encounter maps of major downzonings.
Such is life. Beauty and sorrow coexist. They must.
November 10, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Be forewarned:
You may also encounter maps of major downzonings.
Such is life. Beauty and sorrow coexist. They must.
You may also encounter maps of major downzonings.
Such is life. Beauty and sorrow coexist. They must.
Single-Stair Sickos might like to learn that a lot of European cities used to produce detailed books on their built environment, including complete floor plans.
Here's a snippet from Hamburg und Seine Bauten (1914)
Here's a snippet from Hamburg und Seine Bauten (1914)
November 10, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Single-Stair Sickos might like to learn that a lot of European cities used to produce detailed books on their built environment, including complete floor plans.
Here's a snippet from Hamburg und Seine Bauten (1914)
Here's a snippet from Hamburg und Seine Bauten (1914)
Right-wingers are afraid of everything except looking stupid in public.
November 4, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Right-wingers are afraid of everything except looking stupid in public.
Peak Gustavo Petro
October 29, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Peak Gustavo Petro
The problem with single-stair in the U.S. is that, in all but a fraction of <10 metros, these units would be unmarketable without filling the site with structured parking, which a 2.0 FAR cannot financially support.
And 2.0 FAR can't pay for the land in the fraction without huge parking ratios.
And 2.0 FAR can't pay for the land in the fraction without huge parking ratios.
you know how i keep saying single stair buildings are workhorse of walkable urbanism the world over?
here are 174 homes on a 2.2 acre block in seattle.
(16) 4-5 story single stair buildings.
what do you think FAR is?
what about lot coverage?
unit distribution?
here are 174 homes on a 2.2 acre block in seattle.
(16) 4-5 story single stair buildings.
what do you think FAR is?
what about lot coverage?
unit distribution?
October 29, 2025 at 6:25 PM
The problem with single-stair in the U.S. is that, in all but a fraction of <10 metros, these units would be unmarketable without filling the site with structured parking, which a 2.0 FAR cannot financially support.
And 2.0 FAR can't pay for the land in the fraction without huge parking ratios.
And 2.0 FAR can't pay for the land in the fraction without huge parking ratios.
If only the White House was a mass produced builder-grade ranch house in the 78th most notable mid-century sprawl subdivision in Nashville, Tennessee.
USAmerican historic preservation is the fakest thing humans have ever devised.
USAmerican historic preservation is the fakest thing humans have ever devised.
Breaking News: President Trump is having the White House’s entire East Wing demolished to make way for his $200 million ballroom. The project is far more extensive than he initially let on.
Trump Will Demolish Entire White House East Wing for Ballroom: Live Updates
nyti.ms
October 23, 2025 at 1:23 AM
If only the White House was a mass produced builder-grade ranch house in the 78th most notable mid-century sprawl subdivision in Nashville, Tennessee.
USAmerican historic preservation is the fakest thing humans have ever devised.
USAmerican historic preservation is the fakest thing humans have ever devised.
"Urban Planning" has become an exercise in gilding vibes with a veneer of empirics.
Just a remarkable lack of rigor in 99% of work product from this industry.
Just a remarkable lack of rigor in 99% of work product from this industry.
October 22, 2025 at 2:40 PM
"Urban Planning" has become an exercise in gilding vibes with a veneer of empirics.
Just a remarkable lack of rigor in 99% of work product from this industry.
Just a remarkable lack of rigor in 99% of work product from this industry.
More than a century into the American Zoning Experiment, we have the first example of application for its stated purpose: to regulate nuisance land uses.
Gotta hand it to the NIMBYs on this one www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/u...
To Fight ICE, Portland’s Leaders Turn to What They Know Best: Zoning
www.nytimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 3:11 PM
More than a century into the American Zoning Experiment, we have the first example of application for its stated purpose: to regulate nuisance land uses.
Reposted by Alex Pemberton
🚨 NEWS: Colombian President Gustavo Petro accuses U.S. government officials of murder and violating Colombia’s sovereignty and says the Trump-ordered strike of a boat in the Caribbean killed a fisherman named Alejandro Carranza.
October 19, 2025 at 3:09 AM
🚨 NEWS: Colombian President Gustavo Petro accuses U.S. government officials of murder and violating Colombia’s sovereignty and says the Trump-ordered strike of a boat in the Caribbean killed a fisherman named Alejandro Carranza.
When planners promote DADUs while preserving provisions that make them unfinanceable—owner-occupancy requirements, separate-sale prohibitions, etc.—they are planning for a wider privilege gap.
Only rich households can benefit from DADU income, giving their kids a leg up, saving on elder care, etc.
Only rich households can benefit from DADU income, giving their kids a leg up, saving on elder care, etc.
October 15, 2025 at 3:57 PM
When planners promote DADUs while preserving provisions that make them unfinanceable—owner-occupancy requirements, separate-sale prohibitions, etc.—they are planning for a wider privilege gap.
Only rich households can benefit from DADU income, giving their kids a leg up, saving on elder care, etc.
Only rich households can benefit from DADU income, giving their kids a leg up, saving on elder care, etc.