Eric Kober
@erickober.bsky.social
Senior Fellow, Manhattan Institute. All opinions my own.
I wrote for City Journal about the political significance of the NYC Charter land-use amendments approved by voters this week:
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
New York City’s Election Marks the Rise of the “Left-YIMBY”
Approval of pro-housing-development ballot measures suggests that the old “home voter” coalition is dead.
www.city-journal.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:44 PM
I wrote for City Journal about the political significance of the NYC Charter land-use amendments approved by voters this week:
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
For the Manhattan Institute's new Bigger Apple Substack, I wrote about the NYC City Council's new vote-no campaign against proposed changes to the City Charter's land use process.
thebiggerapple.manhattan.institute/p/be-very-af...
thebiggerapple.manhattan.institute/p/be-very-af...
Be Very Afraid: More Homes Might Actually Get Built
City Council’s fear campaign shows why the Charter proposals are needed.
thebiggerapple.manhattan.institute
October 15, 2025 at 11:05 PM
For the Manhattan Institute's new Bigger Apple Substack, I wrote about the NYC City Council's new vote-no campaign against proposed changes to the City Charter's land use process.
thebiggerapple.manhattan.institute/p/be-very-af...
thebiggerapple.manhattan.institute/p/be-very-af...
I wrote for City Journal about a new NYC report proposing a revised policy framework for manufacturing zones:
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
Outdated Zoning Rules Choke New York City’s Housing Growth
Some of the city’s most valuable land is tied up in manufacturing zones.
www.city-journal.org
September 25, 2025 at 10:21 PM
I wrote for City Journal about a new NYC report proposing a revised policy framework for manufacturing zones:
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
I added to the chorus of criticism of the NYC City Council's plot to kill city charter reform, for City Journal:
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
Why is New York’s City Council Trying to End-Run Housing Reform?
The council is making a last-ditch effort to hold on to certain powers.
www.city-journal.org
September 8, 2025 at 6:31 PM
I added to the chorus of criticism of the NYC City Council's plot to kill city charter reform, for City Journal:
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
I wrote about proposed New York City Charter land use amendments for the Manhattan Institute:
manhattan.institute/article/on-t...
manhattan.institute/article/on-t...
On the Ballot: NYC Charter Revision Commission’s Housing Revolution | Manhattan Institute
In July 2025, the New York City Charter Revision Commission (NYC CRC) appointed by Mayor Eric Adams approved five November ballot questions proposing revisions to the city charter, the document establ...
manhattan.institute
August 21, 2025 at 6:46 PM
I wrote about proposed New York City Charter land use amendments for the Manhattan Institute:
manhattan.institute/article/on-t...
manhattan.institute/article/on-t...
NYC's economy faces many headwinds, some within local government control, some not. However, there's enormous churn in the economy. NYC companies hired many people in the first half of the year.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/n...
New York City Companies All but Stopped Hiring in First Half of the Year
www.nytimes.com
August 13, 2025 at 3:26 PM
NYC's economy faces many headwinds, some within local government control, some not. However, there's enormous churn in the economy. NYC companies hired many people in the first half of the year.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/n...
I wrote for City Journal about "antisocial housing" policies, and who needs to fix them.
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
Why Are New York City's Affordable Housing Units Falling Apart?
The Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 gutted investment in rent-stabilized units.
www.city-journal.org
July 2, 2025 at 3:02 PM
I wrote for City Journal about "antisocial housing" policies, and who needs to fix them.
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
I wrote for City Journal about the NYC Democratic primary, and how the leading candidates' respective coalitions help explain why there's no feasible path for a center-right reform candidate:
www.city-journal.org/article/ther...
www.city-journal.org/article/ther...
New York Mayoral Race: Why The Center-Right Failed to Gain Traction
The political bases of Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo help reveal why there’s no center-right alternative.
www.city-journal.org
June 24, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I wrote for City Journal about the NYC Democratic primary, and how the leading candidates' respective coalitions help explain why there's no feasible path for a center-right reform candidate:
www.city-journal.org/article/ther...
www.city-journal.org/article/ther...
@citylimitsnews.bsky.social published my op-ed about reforming the NYC Charter's land use provisions:
citylimits.org/opinion-nyc-...
citylimits.org/opinion-nyc-...
Opinion: NYC Panel Asks, Who Controls Land Use? - City Limits
"To address the problem of member deference, land use approvals could be taken from the Council’s jurisdiction. I suggest the creation of a new city position, the Zoning Administrator, who would be en...
citylimits.org
June 3, 2025 at 10:30 PM
@citylimitsnews.bsky.social published my op-ed about reforming the NYC Charter's land use provisions:
citylimits.org/opinion-nyc-...
citylimits.org/opinion-nyc-...
I wrote about frequent, reliable Northeast Corridor high-speed passenger rail service for City Journal. The NYU Marron Institute's Transit Costs Project has a new plan praised by transit wonks.
May 27, 2025 at 9:36 PM
I wrote about frequent, reliable Northeast Corridor high-speed passenger rail service for City Journal. The NYU Marron Institute's Transit Costs Project has a new plan praised by transit wonks.
I wrote for City Journal about the NYC Democratic mayoral candidates' housing policies. In short, more of what hasn't ever worked, and little that could work to make housing abundant and affordable.
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
Where New York’s Mayoral Candidates Stand on Housing
Not one—including Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo —is willing to level with voters about the need to make the city affordable for young adults.
www.city-journal.org
May 19, 2025 at 7:27 PM
I wrote for City Journal about the NYC Democratic mayoral candidates' housing policies. In short, more of what hasn't ever worked, and little that could work to make housing abundant and affordable.
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
For City Journal, I wrote about why New York's Penn Station is so hard to fix:
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
Why Penn Station Is So Hard to Fix
The Trump administration has announced a takeover of the improvement project, but it will require more than just federal muscle.
www.city-journal.org
April 24, 2025 at 6:22 PM
For City Journal, I wrote about why New York's Penn Station is so hard to fix:
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
I wrote a new brief for the Manhattan Institute about reforming the land use provisions in the City Charter:
manhattan.institute/article/refo...
manhattan.institute/article/refo...
Reforming New York City’s Land-Use Process
In my 38-year career as a city planner in New York City, I often sensed the bemused shade of the master builder, Robert Moses, commenting ironically on the futility of promoting growth in the face of ...
manhattan.institute
April 24, 2025 at 4:09 PM
I wrote a new brief for the Manhattan Institute about reforming the land use provisions in the City Charter:
manhattan.institute/article/refo...
manhattan.institute/article/refo...
I submitted follow-up testimony to the NYC Charter Revision Commission.
manhattan.institute/article/foll...
manhattan.institute/article/foll...
Follow-Up Testimony to the New York City Charter Revision Commission
This follow-up testimony addresses two questions put to me by Commission member Carl Weisbrod when I testified at the February 24, 2025 public session: Summary of Recommendations I suggest that this C...
manhattan.institute
April 4, 2025 at 12:15 AM
I submitted follow-up testimony to the NYC Charter Revision Commission.
manhattan.institute/article/foll...
manhattan.institute/article/foll...
My musings about Robert Moses' planning legacy in New York City, from City Journal:
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
Robert Moses and His Lasting Legacy
Though New York City planners want to live in the world of Jane Jacobs, they plan around the physical legacy of the master builder.
www.city-journal.org
March 31, 2025 at 7:54 PM
My musings about Robert Moses' planning legacy in New York City, from City Journal:
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
I have a new brief about NYC Planning's Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan:
manhattan.institute/article/thin...
manhattan.institute/article/thin...
Thinking Again About Midtown South
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a city planner in New York City, as I was for 38 years, is participating in the stewardship of Midtown Manhattan, one of the most dynamic and exciting places...
manhattan.institute
March 12, 2025 at 1:39 PM
I have a new brief about NYC Planning's Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan:
manhattan.institute/article/thin...
manhattan.institute/article/thin...
On February 24, I testified at a public session of the NYC Charter Revision Commission.
manhattan.institute/article/test...
manhattan.institute/article/test...
Testimony Before The New York City Charter Revision Commission
Thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is Eric Kober. I retired in 2017 as director of housing, economic and infrastructure planning for the New York City Department of City Planning and am...
manhattan.institute
March 5, 2025 at 5:28 PM
On February 24, I testified at a public session of the NYC Charter Revision Commission.
manhattan.institute/article/test...
manhattan.institute/article/test...
I wrote a brief for the Manhattan Institute about NYC's "City of Yes for Housing Opportunity" zoning reforms. It's a positive step forward but, after City Council changes, not as pro-housing production as the original plan passed by the City Planning Commission.
manhattan.institute/article/city...
manhattan.institute/article/city...
City of Successful Housing Reform
New York City’s embattled mayor Eric Adams scored a big victory in late 2024, as the city council approved much of the “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” (COYHO) zoning reform plan, earlier approve...
manhattan.institute
January 30, 2025 at 6:07 PM
I wrote a brief for the Manhattan Institute about NYC's "City of Yes for Housing Opportunity" zoning reforms. It's a positive step forward but, after City Council changes, not as pro-housing production as the original plan passed by the City Planning Commission.
manhattan.institute/article/city...
manhattan.institute/article/city...
I have a new op-ed at @nyc.streetsblog.org about the NYC City Council's modifications to the "City of Yes" zoning plan. The op-ed references my new report, which goes public Tuesday 1/28.
The City Council’s recent compromise in passing Mayor Adams’s City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, watering down the original proposal’s elimination of mandatory parking, must be a central issue in the coming mayoral race, writes @erickober.bsky.social
OPINION: Candidates Must Pledge to Strengthen 'City of Yes' to End Parking Mandates - Streetsblog New York City
Anyone not supporting the elimination of parking mandates is only perpetuating our city's housing crisis, says this planning expert.
buff.ly
January 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM
I have a new op-ed at @nyc.streetsblog.org about the NYC City Council's modifications to the "City of Yes" zoning plan. The op-ed references my new report, which goes public Tuesday 1/28.
I wrote for City Journal about New York governor Kathy Hochul's proposal to discourage private investors from owning homes:
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
Kathy Hochul’s Misguided Housing Proposal
The New York governor has proposed restricting institutional investors’ ability to purchase homes.
www.city-journal.org
January 17, 2025 at 6:37 PM
I wrote for City Journal about New York governor Kathy Hochul's proposal to discourage private investors from owning homes:
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
www.city-journal.org/article/new-...
Eliza Shapiro @nytimes.com gave me an opportunity to pitch bringing back the six-story apartment building everywhere in NYC: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
How to Make New York City More Affordable: 40 Big Ideas
As the cost of living dominates politics, dozens of residents offered plans to bring down the price of housing, child care, transportation, cultural life and more.
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Eliza Shapiro @nytimes.com gave me an opportunity to pitch bringing back the six-story apartment building everywhere in NYC: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
I've seen various posts that this is the biggest deal in NYC zoning in 50 or 60 years. It is indeed a big deal. However, we should understand that there have been many initiatives, each as contentious as this one, to boost housing production over the years.
NYC just passed City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, our most significant pro-housing reform in decades!!!!
Combining the largest zoning overhaul in 50 years with a $5B housing investment, this marks a sea change in how NYC builds homes.
Combining the largest zoning overhaul in 50 years with a $5B housing investment, this marks a sea change in how NYC builds homes.
December 6, 2024 at 1:59 AM
I've seen various posts that this is the biggest deal in NYC zoning in 50 or 60 years. It is indeed a big deal. However, we should understand that there have been many initiatives, each as contentious as this one, to boost housing production over the years.
Such a mystery. Project A is heavily subsidized, all-affordable housing and gets built. Project B is not subsidized but is still required by NYC zoning to provide 25 percent of its units at way-below-market rents. Why might Project B not be financially feasible?
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Two Affordable Housing Buildings Were Planned. Only One Went Up. What Happened?
New York City is dealing with its worst housing shortage in decades. The diverging fates of two developments offer a window into the crisis.
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2024 at 3:38 PM
Such a mystery. Project A is heavily subsidized, all-affordable housing and gets built. Project B is not subsidized but is still required by NYC zoning to provide 25 percent of its units at way-below-market rents. Why might Project B not be financially feasible?
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
I wrote about the New York City Council's Fairness in Apartment Rentals (FARE) Act. It's not going to do what the Council says it will do.
www.city-journal.org/article/the-...
www.city-journal.org/article/the-...
The Un-FARE Act
Little more than a week after a national election that brought forth commentary about how Democratic politicians’ misrule of large cities harmed the party’s credibility with voters, the New York City ...
www.city-journal.org
November 18, 2024 at 7:03 PM
I wrote about the New York City Council's Fairness in Apartment Rentals (FARE) Act. It's not going to do what the Council says it will do.
www.city-journal.org/article/the-...
www.city-journal.org/article/the-...