The Effects of COVID-19 on Downtown Land Use: Evidence from Austin and Los Angeles

51 Pages Posted: 24 Jun 2022

See all articles by Nathan Hutson

Nathan Hutson

University of North Texas

Anthony W. Orlando

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona - Finance, Real Estate and Law Department

Date Written: June 23, 2022

Abstract

This paper charts the diverging responses of different real estate sectors to the COVID-19 pandemic—and the implications for the spatial allocation of activity across metropolitan areas. Using local data from both Austin and Los Angeles, it documents sustained shifts in rents and vacancy rates that are putting pressure on cities to reconsider the highest and best use of much of their land. It concludes by proposing a four-pronged framework to facilitate adaptation to the new needs of the post-pandemic population: redevelopment, rezoning, reuse, and resilience.

Keywords: COVID-19, pandemic, work-from-home, land use, housing supply, zoning, redevelopment

JEL Classification: R12, R14, R31, R51, R52

Suggested Citation

Hutson, Nathan and Orlando, Anthony W., The Effects of COVID-19 on Downtown Land Use: Evidence from Austin and Los Angeles (June 23, 2022). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4144109 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4144109

Nathan Hutson

University of North Texas ( email )

Denton
Texas
United States

Anthony W. Orlando (Contact Author)

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona - Finance, Real Estate and Law Department ( email )

United States

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