142. Smart Talk - The Economics of Skyscrapers

Today’s discussion was recorded in October of 2024 between our host, Ed Dodson, and our guest, Dr. Jason Barr. Dr. Barr is a professor at Rutgers University-Newark and a fellow at NYU’s Marron Institute, where he researches real estate, urban economics, and the economics of skyscrapers. Dr. Barr is on the editorial boards of the Journal of Real Estate Finance and the Eastern Economic Journal. He is also the author of two books: Cities in the Sky and Building the Skyline, both of which examine the economic justifications and appeal of constructing large urban buildings. Dr. Barr earned his bachelor’s degree in consumer economics and housing from Cornell, his master’s in creative writing from Emerson College, and his PhD in economics from Columbia University. Together, we discussed the history of New York’s skyline, how speculators and developers recoup their investments on skyscrapers, and why cities need to become more dense and transportation-oriented. To check out more of our content, including our research and policy tools, visit our website: https://www.hgsss.org/