Q+A with Jack Tame Meet the urban planner who wants less planning
Mar 21, 2026
Alain Bertaud, veteran urban planner known for walking cities and World Bank work, argues for organic city growth guided by markets, not central plans. He talks about studying cities on foot, the importance of labour markets and transport for amenities, the tradeoffs between densification and greenfield growth, and why zoning reform and property rights debates shape development.
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Cities Are Labour Markets First
- Cities function fundamentally as labour markets that create the surplus enabling museums, cafes and parks.
- Alain Bertaud ties city amenities directly to a well-functioning transport and housing system that lets people access all job offers.
Prioritise Access Over Aesthetic Zoning
- Ensure transport and housing let people potentially access all city jobs and change jobs or homes with minimal cost.
- Bertaud says design policy so individuals can trade off distance, wages and housing consumption freely.
Upzoning Works Slowly
- Building up reduces trip lengths but converts slowly because redevelopment happens lot by lot.
- Even instant zoning change may take a decade to affect transport and 15 years to alter housing prices.