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The Rise of Anti-Development Sentiment—and What Developers Can Do About It

March 24, 2025

Monday, March 24, 2025

On Tap Today

  • Backyard battlegrounds: Shocking new statistics show a growing distrust of planned real estate developments.

  • New podcast: PropTech investor Zach Aarons shares insights on industry challenges and emerging opportunities in AI and AR. Listen

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Development

A stunning new national survey shows just how deep the anti-development tide runs in America. Nearly three-quarters of respondents say their neighborhoods are fine as-is—or even overdeveloped. And perhaps more troubling for real estate professionals, an equally high number believe that planning decisions are tainted by developer influence over elected officials. This isn’t just NIMBYism—it’s a full-blown crisis of trust that threatens to upend how new projects get approved.

That skepticism has already reshaped the fate of several high-profile projects. In New York, Hudson Yards Phase Two drew sharp criticism after developers proposed replacing some of the promised housing with a casino, sparking accusations of broken promises. Elsewhere, proposals like the 76ers’ arena in Philadelphia and the “California Forever” city in Solano County have been stalled or scrapped amid intense public opposition and growing distrust. ​

But there are signs of a different path. In cities like Cleveland and Swarthmore, developers have won reluctant but real support by engaging early, revising plans, and offering concrete community benefits. These aren’t easy wins—they require humility, flexibility, and a genuine shift in approach. Yet as trust becomes the rarest commodity in real estate, these examples show that public backing is still possible for those willing to earn it.

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Podcast

Surviving the PropTech Winter with Zach Aarons of MetaProp

PropTech investor Zach Aarons joins *Decoding Real Estate* to discuss the industry’s challenges, from office market struggles to high interest rates. Despite setbacks, he sees opportunities in AI and AR for real estate. Hear his insights on where PropTech is headed next.

LISTEN: https://propmodo.com/podcast/surviving-the-proptech-winter-with-zach-aarons-of-metaprop/

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