I don't get it. Is Austin supposed to bus people in to increase diversity (specifically black people, since they're apparently the only people who count for diversity)? He says it's like a company that doesn't hire black people, but it very much isn't. To my knowledge, Austin isn't turning away black people. 

posted by jonthegeek at 09:09AM CST on October 28

I also question his use of only black people as a signifier of racial diversity. Clearly it is important but if you look at his Texas graph for instance it turns out San Antonio has an even lower number than Austin. Maybe I'm just missing the point but I'm pretty sure no one is going to accuse San Antonio of being too white. 

posted by natedogg at 11:01AM CST on October 29

According to the comments, (city of) Austin is now a minority-majority city, which I think meant no group is over 50% (but whites are still a plurality).

But even if the methodology was perfect, I don't get the point. What does a city do to change its demographics? I don't know for certain, but I think the last big change in Austin was the result of Katrina. I don't think advocating Katrinas is a good policy... 

posted by jonthegeek at 12:58PM CST on October 29

I agree with Nate here, but I would also argue that Austin is very, very segregated. And it's really hard to argue otherwise. And what the city could do otherwise is not structure housing codes in such a way that poorer populations get forced out to the periphery of the city. 

posted by Valatan at 09:47AM CST on November 01

And this is completely correct:

Many of the policies of Portland are not that dissimilar from those of upscale suburbs in their effects. Urban growth boundaries and other mechanisms raise land prices and render housing less affordable exactly the same as large lot zoning and building codes that mandate brick and other expensive materials do. They both contribute to reducing housing affordability for historically disadvantaged communities. Just like the most exclusive suburbs.

Large lot size requirements everywhere but East Austin (where no one polices them) make housing unaffordable for very many people.  

posted by Valatan at 09:50AM CST on November 01